The Chicago Cubs may very well be in for a significant outfield shakeup this offseason, and one author believes the crew ought to take into account a daring commerce for a former No. 2 total draft decide.
With Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki in free company, Chicago might look exterior the group for added outfield expertise forward of the 2027 season.
Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue proposed a commerce that will deliver Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews to Chicago in trade for Kevin Alcántara and an extra pitching prospect.
The proposal would give the Cubs one other younger outfielder with appreciable upside whereas permitting Washington to amass a number of prospects because it continues constructing for the longer term.
There is no such thing as a indication that Chicago and Washington have mentioned this particular deal. Nonetheless, Crews’ unsure future with the Nationals and the Cubs’ unsure outfield state of affairs make the likelihood price analyzing.
Cubs Urged to Pursue Dylan Crews in Potential Prospect Swap
Yellon recognized Crews as an intriguing commerce goal for the Cubs in his November 12 article.
The 24-year-old outfielder entered skilled baseball with monumental expectations after Washington chosen him second total within the 2023 MLB Draft, instantly behind Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.
His skilled profession has not developed as shortly as many anticipated, however Crews stays younger sufficient to show issues round.
Yellon advised that Chicago might ship Alcántara and a pitching prospect to Washington, buying a participant who already has significantly extra major-league expertise.
Crews is a participant with loads of potential, however he might use a change of surroundings to unlock it.
The transfer could be a big gamble, but it surely may very well be one which is smart for either side.
Alcántara is one other prospect who has underwhelmed up to now in his profession, although he maintains a excessive ceiling as a consequence of his dimension and energy.
This swap would enable each gamers a recent begin, whereas Yellon proposes that the Cubs throw in a pitching prospect to sweeten the pot.
Dylan Crews May Assist Handle Cubs’ Outfield Uncertainty
Chicago’s outfield might look considerably totally different subsequent season.
Happ and Suzuki are each free brokers, leaving the Cubs with troublesome selections about how a lot to spend money on retaining their veteran hitters.
Pete Crow-Armstrong stays a longtime presence in middle area, however the nook outfield positions current significantly extra uncertainty.
Crews might present another choice with out requiring Chicago to decide to a profitable long-term free-agent contract.
His 2026 numbers weren’t unbelievable, which exhibits that this sort of transfer wouldn’t come with out threat.
Crews completed the common season batting .223 with 13 house runs, 44 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 109 video games.
For a former high prospect comparable to Crews, these numbers are fairly disappointing.
Nonetheless, his mixture of athleticism, defensive potential, and draft pedigree might attraction to a crew prepared to spend money on his improvement.
It additionally offers him totally different paths to utility within the outfield and within the working recreation as he develops his strategy on the plate.
In keeping with Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, a number of groups have expressed curiosity in Crews, and the Nationals haven’t dominated out buying and selling the previous No. 2 total decide. Washington is reportedly looking for controllable beginning pitching in potential offers.
For the Cubs, they must take into account whether or not swapping Alcántara and one other prospect for Crews would meaningfully enhance their probabilities of constructing a extra productive outfield.
Yellon’s proposal might subsequently present Chicago with a possibility to amass a younger outfielder with appreciable upside, though there isn’t any indication the Cubs have expressed curiosity in Crews or mentioned a take care of Washington.
Like HEAVY’s content material? You should definitely observe us.
This text was initially revealed on HEAVY
The submit Cubs Urged to Make Daring Commerce for Former No. 2 Total Choose appeared first on HEAVY.