The Cubs’ winter shopping list is already getting crowded, and one of the loudest predictions floating around would change the look of their outfield in a big way.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report is forecasting Chicago to go after Mariners All-Star Randy Arozarena on a five-year, $97.5 million deal, a move that would bring in a proven bat while likely pushing Seiya Suzuki out of the picture. The Cubs are expected to be active in free agency, with starting pitching upgrades also on the agenda as several arms hit the market. But the outfield could get just as much attention, especially with Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and recently acquired Tyrone Taylor all set to be free agents at season’s end.
Miller’s view is blunt about how Arozarena would fit: “But with the Cubs slated to lose both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki this winter, he would fit seamlessly into that outfield,” Miller writes on Arozarena. “Prediction: 5 years, $97.5M with the Chicago Cubs.”
That kind of move would come with a real cost. Losing Suzuki or Happ would sting, and the idea of Chicago landing Arozarena while also keeping both of them feels unlikely. If the Cubs commit that kind of money to Arozarena, it’s hard to see how they’d also have room to bring Suzuki back in the same offseason.
Still, from a pure baseball standpoint, Arozarena would be a major addition. The 31-year-old is a three-time All-Star and former ALCS MVP who is turning in another strong season with Seattle.
In 109 games, Arozarena has posted 3.7 bWAR with 113 hits, 73 runs scored, 24 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 45 walks, 97 strikeouts, a .282 batting average and an .827 OPS.
There’s risk here, of course, since any deal would run through his age-36 season. But the upside is obvious, and that’s exactly why a prediction like this has traction even if it would almost certainly mean saying goodbye to one of the Cubs’ current outfield staples.
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