The Cubs have already made one clear move in left field this offseason: they passed on giving Ian Happ a qualifying offer, sending him into free agency for the first time in his career without the draft-pick baggage that comes with it.
That does not completely close the door on a reunion. Happ has been a fixture in left for so long that replacing him is easier said than done, and a softer-than-expected market could still bring him back to Chicago, perhaps on a short-term deal that would let him hit free agency again when a lockout is not hanging over the sport.
Even so, the Cubs’ next move seems obvious enough. Seiya Suzuki got the qualifying offer, which makes it pretty clear which corner outfielder the team is leaning toward keeping in the fold. If Happ is gone, someone else will likely be handling left field at Wrigley in 2027, and that could send the Cubs shopping in free agency or on the trade market if Kevin Alcantara, Justin Dean, Matt Shaw, and Pedro Ramirez are not ready for that kind of role.
One name that fits the bill as a bridge option is Jake McCarthy, a Rockies outfielder who could make sense if Chicago wants to avoid a pricey splash. Steven Kwan has come up often as a trade target, but he would require the kind of prospect package Jed Hoyer may prefer to keep available for a starting pitcher. With resources likely needed elsewhere, a cheaper Happ replacement could become a much more appealing path.
McCarthy is not a clean, obvious answer, but he is worth watching over the next month before the lockout. His career has bounced around between above-average and below-average seasons, yet he just finished the 2026 campaign at .291/.334/.475 with a career-best 15 home runs and 32 stolen bases. And if the Coors Field effect is a concern, his park-adjusted wRC+ of 108 actually topped Happ’s 107.
That does not make him a straight upgrade, but it does make him a useful player. His glove is probably the least impressive part of his game, though he has been about a league-average outfielder while logging more than 1,250 career innings across all three outfield spots. That kind of versatility matters, especially for a left-handed hitter who punished lefties to the tune of a 133 wRC+.
The price should be manageable, too. McCarthy’s uneven track record and the Rockies’ limited leverage could keep the cost down, even though a 29-year-old with two years of team control left and a projected $4.6 million salary next season would normally carry real trade value. If the Cubs can land him for mid-level prospect talent and save their premium pieces for controllable pitching, he could be a solid fallback if Happ is no longer in the picture.
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The Cubs are heading into a winter where the bullpen sits near the top of the shopping list, and the timing matters with a December lockout looming. Chicago has been expected to attack both relief help and starting pitching, and one name that has started to surface in that conversation is Adrin Morejn, the left-handed Padres reliever whose recent run and age make him an intriguing fit for a club looking to stabilize the late innings.
Morejn is not a finished deal, but the idea has gained enough traction to stand out because of the kind of contract some around the game think he could command. For the Cubs, the appeal is obvious: a pitcher with closer upside, left-handed balance and enough upside to potentially reshape how the ninth inning looks in Chicago. Whether the front office is willing to go that far is the real question, and it is one that could define how aggressive this offseason becomes. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Outfield Search Is Suddenly Centered On One Crucial Choice
The Phillies are headed into the offseason with a clear need in the outfield, and the market is already taking shape around a few familiar names. Among the free-agent options drawing attention is Ian Happ, whose profile naturally stands out because of his steady production and the kind of left-handed balance a contender can use. Taylor Ward and Tyrone Taylor are also in the mix as Philadelphia weighs both upside and fit while trying to patch a spot that has not held up well enough.
Happ, in particular, gives the Phillies a decision point that goes beyond simple need. He brings a track record that makes him easy to picture in a lineup built to win now, but any pursuit will come down to how aggressively Philadelphia wants to shop at the top of the market versus spreading its resources around the roster. No moves have been made yet, which leaves the club with options and a lot of room for the conversation to keep evolving. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Saw Something In Former Astros Coach Fans Should Notice
The Mariners made a notable change after the 2026 season, moving on from Dan Wilson and turning to Jason Kanzler to lead the club beginning in 2027. For Cubs fans, Kanzler is a familiar name from his time as Chicagos director of player development, and Seattles decision says plenty about the kind of manager the organization believes can shape its next era.
Kanzler also brings a background as a former outfielder and a coach with the Astros, which helps explain why Seattle saw him as more than just another candidate. Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto pointed to Kanzlers intelligence, intensity, creativity and ability to develop young players as traits that can help build a championship standard, a profile that should resonate with anyone who watched his work in Chicago. [Read more 🡒]