The Chicago Cubs are the best team in baseball this season, and the rich got richer this week when top outfield prospect Albert Almora Jr. was called up to the majors to replace Jorge Soler. The Cuban slugger was placed in the 15-day DL with a hamstring injury, and Almora got the call to take his place in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future.
It might not seem like it, but the Cubs are on the way to have one of the most crowded outfields in all of baseball, and there’s a chance they might not have enough at-bats for everyone in the roster. Let’s analyze the situation and, in the end, predict a possible solution to solve their logjam.
The regular starters
Dexter Fowler: The starting center fielder is enjoying a breakout season this year in Chicago, quite a feat considering he was close to play for the Baltimore Orioles this year had he chosen to sign a three-year deal with that franchise. Fowler, however, opted to return to the Cubs and the move has paid off; he’s among the leaders in all of baseball in OPS and he’s also among the leaders in the NL for the All-Star Game.
Jason Heyward: The big signing for this season, Heyward played last year for the St. Louis Cardinals before signing a massive seven-year, $184 million deal with Chicago this winter. Heyward hasn’t lived up to his contract this season, but his massive salary and his stellar defense in right field will essentially make him a mainstay in the lineup for the coming years.
The potential third outfielder
Albert Almora Jr.: The prospect only has a few MLB games under his belt, but he already left a mark both at the batter box and in the outfield with some stellar defensive plays. Almora Jr. might not be a consistent hitter and his approach can change at times, but he is the best defender in this entire list. At the very least, he would be a very good fourth outfielder.
Jorge Soler: Soler is, by far, the most perplexing piece in this list. He can hit the ball as far as anyone in this list, and he can be a difference maker when he gets it going. The problem is he’s also relatively injury prone, and he’s also known for starting the season slow. He has loads of potential, but he looks like the type of player who needs to play on a daily basis to reach his ceiling – something he might not be able to do with the Cubs anymore.
The “others”
Matt Szczur: Szczur doesn’t have the power other players in this list have, but he is the only outfielder that could work as a late-defensive replacement or as a pinch-runner when needed. He has added a bit of power to his game in recent months, but he’s not likely to be a starter with this team in the foreseeable future. Solid bench piece, however, and he’s likely to have a role with the team going forward due to his relatively unique skill set.
Kyle Schwarber: Schwarber won’t see the field this year as he recovers from an ACL injury, but there’s no way the Cubs keep his bat off the lineup on a daily basis. The slugger might have a shot to be a backup / emergency catcher, but the best for his career is to stay as a bat-first type of outfielder. Fortunately, he has enough pop in his bat to tolerate his defensive shortcomings.
Kris Bryant: Yes, Bryant is the primary third baseman, and he’s not expected to see many time in the outfield if Almora, Schwarber and Soler are all healthy. That being said, he’s a better corner defender than Soler or Schwarber, Joe Maddon loves him in the outfield, and he could easily play there as a late-defensive replacement. His presence needs to be considered, too.
What can they do, then?
The solution might not please everybody, but at some point the Cubs will have to trade one of their talented outfielders. Heyward is expected to stay in the team for a few years, and Almora is widely considered to be the team’s center fielder of the future. Even if Fowler leaves after this season, the team still has Schwarber likely to play in left field (considering he’s not likely to make it as a full-time catcher), Soler, Szczur and even Bryant and Javier Baez who all can play the outfield from time to time.
All signs point towards Soler being the odd man out. He’s likely to be the team’s fourth outfielder at best, with Schwarber, Almora and Heyward as starters for next year, and Szczur and Bryant capable of holding down the forte in case of potential replacements or even late defensive replacements.
Would they trade Soler this season? It’s highly unlikely, but teams could start asking for his availability. If Chicago, for instance, decides to make a trade for a young starter or a lefty reliever (someone like Tyson Ross from the San Diego Padres or Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees) Soler is likely to be asked as the center piece of any deal. He comes with a few flaws, but the potential is there for everybody to see it, and he could easily put it all together if he’s given consistent playing time …something he might not find as a member of the Cubs.
Maddon might not like it, but one of the outfielders will have to pack his bags sooner than later. Such is the nature of a deep team – they don’t have enough at-bats for all their talented players on the roster.