The latest Chicago Cubs rumors link them to a pair of free agent outfielders the team could potentially buy low on and get a lot out of.
The Chicago Cubs roster has plenty of room for improvement. Many of the offseason Cubs rumors have focused on shortstops. They’ve been linked as a possible destination to all of the big four as they were last winter when they sat on the sidelines instead.
This offseason should be a little bit different. They’re much alive in the sweepstakes for players like Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and others. Along with searching for a shortstop, we have Cubs rumors linking them to a pair of outfielders nobody would have guessed two years ago would be unsigned.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cubs could be willing to take a flier on free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger or forgotten left-handed slugger Michael Conforto. Who is a better fit for the Cubs?
Cubs rumors suggest the team is very eager to add left-handed power in free agency
Bellinger is only sitting out there and available to the Cubs because the Los Angeles Dodgers chose to non-tender him earlier this month. He’s one of baseball’s most intriguing free agents. The phrase “low risk, high reward” may have been invented in advance for him.
Despite some rough times, the 2019 National League MVP has plenty of suitors. He has been a bit of a mess at the plate over the last three seasons. He’s fresh off a .210/.265/.389 campaign which was actually a drastic improvement from the dismal 2021 performance.
Seeing Bellinger mentioned in offseason Cubs rumors is no shock. He’s a natural fit for their need in center field. The team hasn’t been shy about adding players to short-term deals in recent seasons either. Last offseason, they brought in plenty of relievers on one-year contracts. Bellinger would be a bit more significant than someone such as David Robertson.
Conforto’s story is different from Bellinger. While Bellinger would be a capable centerfield fit for them, Conforto spent many of his recent years playing right field for the New York Mets. His tenure with them came to an end when he turned down the qualifying offer last offseason prior to the lockout.
It was during the lockout when he was reportedly injured. Surgery sidelined him to the point where he ended up going unsigned throughout 2022. He comes with his own risks. Missing all of 2022 doesn’t help nor does the .232/.344/.384 performance from 2021 when he last saw major league action.
Conforto becoming a topic within Cubs rumors is a bit more of a surprise. The team still employs Ian Happ as the likely left fielder for next year. Over in right field, they have a commitment to Seiya Suzuki. Perhaps they have other plans for Happ or view Conforto as a DH candidate.
Between the two, Bellinger is the clear better fit. Someone is going to pay him a solid sum and hope he can deliver some payback to the Dodgers. Will it be the Cubs?