Cubs reportedly mulling options for veteran outfielders |
The Chicago Cubs have a plethora of solid outfielders with Jason Heyward,
Kyle Schwarber,
Ian Happ,
Albert Almora Jr.,
Ben Zobrist, and even third baseman
Kris Bryant can adequately play the position.
So excuse me if I think the following report might not come to fruition. MLB senior insiders Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark report that the Cubs are looking for a veteran clubhouse leader in the mold of David Ross and are looking at possible outfielder candidates Orioles' Adam Jones (not MANNY MACHADO) and Blue Jays' Curtis Granderson. Jones is making $17 million this year, and the Orioles are shopping that contract around. He is a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner. However, his defense has been slipping drastically over the last few years. For the season, he is batting .280 with ten homers and 33 RBIs. Granderson is a three-time All-Star and two-time Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award (2009, 2016). The 37-year old is batting .246 with nine homers and 28 RBIs on the season. Unless there are some other upcoming moves that the Cubs are deciding on doing, I don't see how they can add another outfielder to their roster without losing a bullpen arm. Can you imagine the scrutiny Joe Maddon would be under when a new veteran gets the majority of snaps away from up-and-coming stars Almora Jr. or Schwarber? The veteran presence in the outfielder is already solidified with Jason Heyward but I think that Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are just doing their due diligence looking at possible options in case of possible future injuries and/or trade scenarios. If they really want David Ross 2.0 just bring Grandpa Rossy back in the dugout to hang out with his former teammates.
