Cubs offseason trade options: Outfielders |
The 2024 MLB offseason will be interesting, to say the least, and when it comes to the Chicago Cubs, it could be their most important offseason in quite some time. It seems like we have that conversation every year, but this is the one year where that could be the case. The Cubs have a lot of holes on this roster that need to be addressed, and not all of them will be filled via free agency.
Before any of the offseason discussions can happen, all eyes have shifted to Cody Bellingeras they their RF for 2025 and virtually locks up most of this roster for next season. Anthony Santander is an option for the Cubs to consider, especially considering his season this year. Whether or not the Cubs want to spend that kind of money on a power hitter is an entirely different question, but there are plenty of OF options for this team to consider as possible trade partners. Lane Thomas, Leody Taveras, Chas McCormick, Cedric Mullins, and Mike Yastrezemski are all possible targets, but none of them move the needle for this team, with Mullins having the biggest upside of that group. However, with PCA in CF, Mullins wouldn't play his natural position, which could hurt him in the long run.
Not only are those names some of the names to watch, but Luis Robert Jr. will be the most sought-after trade target should the White Sox become available. He would instantly become a superstar for this team. Unless the Cubs are willing to give up the farm for him and give the White Sox anything they are asking, it seems very unlikely that the two sides would even entertain this offer.
40-40 guys don't grow on trees, and Robert Jr has the potential to be that type of player as long as he can stay healthy. Health has always been an issue for him, but the sky is the limit for Robert. Adding him to this roster would be a massive upgrade, no matter where you put him in the lineup.
The same can be said about Wilyer Abreu, who came off a strong showing with the Boston Red Sox last year. The 25-year-old OF is young, cost-controllable, and is coming off a 15-homer season where many feel there is more in the tank. He has all the potential to be an outstanding player and will be an attractive commodity for many teams, but he may be different from the type of player the Cubs are looking for if they are to part with some of their top prospects.
Brent Rooker, on the other hand, is someone the Cubs would be willing to give a ton up for, and if I were Jed Hoyer, he would be the one player I'm targeting the most this offseason. Another young and cost-controllable player, Rooker, not only can play the corner OF positions, but you can also slot him in at the DH, which would allow Seiya Suzuki and some others to get time in the OF and get days off.
After hitting just .246 in 2023, Rooker broke out this season with the A's as he hit a career-best .293. What stands out the most with Rooker is his raw power, as he belted 30 homers in 2023 and followed that up with 39 more this season. If he were a left-handed hitter, he would be the perfect candidate for the Cubs, but as a righty and being limited to the positions he can play, it makes a platoon role highly unlikely.
However, with the Cubs in desperate need of adding some power, Rooker is the perfect fit and one they will almost certainly pursue further. He is under control through 2027 and won't turn 30 until that year, so you can see why there is some buzz about making this move.
