Chicago Cubs predicted to sign three-time All-Star outfielder this offseason

The Chicago Cubs are pushing forward, looking to make a deep run in the postseason with a roster fortified with some much-needed pitching pickups at the trade deadline. But front office eyes also have to be looking ahead to next season.

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The team will have multiple core veteran players eligible for free agency at the end of this season, among them established Cubs assets such as Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Carson Kelly, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki.

The stories of corner outfielders Happ and Suzuki are especially worth following.

Chicago could conceivably lose both outfielders and are almost guaranteed to lose at least one. With no real outfield prospect close to being major league-ready at the moment, that means the team will either have to get really creative in finding a replacement or dip into the free agent market.

Randy Arozarena to the Cubs?

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Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report is predicting that the Cubs will do the latter and snatch up the Mariners’ three-time All-Star left fielder Randy Arozarena as a corner outfield replacement on a 5-year deal worth $97.5 million.

Per Miller:

“Some teams may balk at his age, leery about signing someone who is going to turn 32 before next season and who is already a bit of a defensive liability. However, he is easily one of the best position players available, worthy of a deal on par with the five-year, $92.5M contract that Josh Naylor got last winter, or that Anthony Santander signed the winter prior…

But with the Cubs slated to lose both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki this winter, he would fit seamlessly into that outfield.”

Miller’s predicted Arozarena contract probably isn’t too far off from what Happ and Suzuki might land on the open market, so the question is whether it wouldn’t just be easier for the Cubs to extend one of them rather than bring in someone new.

The pros and the cons

Arozarena is not strong defensively and everyone would definitely notice the difference between him and four-time Gold Glover Happ patrolling left. Offensively, though, he’s a full grade above Happ and right around Suzuki’s level in terms of the impact he could have in the lineup.

Jake Misener of Cubbies Crib has also given this outfield situation some thought, wondering aloud whether moving on from Happ and his defense would be a smart move to make, especially if the team is leaning towards re-signing the more offense-consistent Suzuki.

Per Misener:

“But with Pete Crow-Armstrong anchoring the mix in center, there’s more wiggle room to give up some defense for improved offensive performance – and even Suzuki has graded out well with the glove this year, thanks, in part, to having PCA next to him.

Suzuki has been as consistent as ever, carrying a 130 wRC+ into Sunday. In terms of bWAR, it’s already been the best season of his big-league career, and his bat has helped the Cubs bide their time as Alex Bregman settles in during the first year of his high-dollar contract.”

If the Cubs can’t bring Suzuki and/or Happ back, Arozarena might then make some sense, with Matt Shaw, Pedro Ramirez, and Kevin Alcantara competing for the other corner outfield spot.

At the very least, Arozarena is somebody worth keeping an eye on.

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