Chicago Cubs: One bold trade to deal with looming outfield crisis

The Chicago Cubs are in “win now” mode with a definite window of opportunity when it comes to capturing another championship as Pete Crow-Armstrong enters his prime and veterans like Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson drift off into their post-prime.

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The problem this offseason, though, is that they’ll have to fill a lot of holes and answer a lot of questions when putting together the rest of what they hope to be a winning team in 2027.

Chief among the team’s needs is starting pitching. From there, the bullpen needs solidifying. They’ll also need to figure out what to do at catcher with Carson Kelly potentially leaving and in the outfielder, with left fielder Ian Happ and right fielder Seiya Suzuki also possibly leaving via free agency.

The corner outfield situation is especially vexing for the Cubs as they don’t have many major league-ready options right now in the farm system and the free agent market this offseason looks to be slim.

So, maybe, a trade would offer a solid, albeit temporary, fix for their outfield needs.

Trading their way out of out field trouble

More News: Chicago Cubs: Who’s left to trade for those gaping 2027 roster holes?

Cleveland’s Steven Kwan and Los Angeles’ Teoscar Hernandez have already been tossed around by media as suggested trade targets. One name, though, possibly deserves some extra thought—Ronald Acuña Jr.

The Atlanta Braves’ 28-year-old right fielder had a down year in 2026 and has seemingly fallen out of favor after an ugly postseason where he hit a combined .125 over two series. With Braves ownership possibly contemplating a soft rebuild, Acuña—and the $34 million potentially owed to him—could very well be on the outs.

That’s where the Cubs could step in.

Ronald Acuña Jr. to the Cubs?

Chicago could scoop Acuña up, along with the team options attached to him in 2027 and 2028 at $17 million a year.

Per Nik Shallon of Yardbarker:

“The Cubs are an interesting team for Acuña; while on paper it may seem a little far-fetched that the Cubs would be willing to potentially trade for him and perhaps offer a long-term contract, it may be their best chance, more than ever, to change that narrative. The Cubs have two big-time players entering free agency this year: outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki.

With two potential exits, there could be a huge hole for the Cubs in the outfield; that is where Acuña could enter the fold. It may be difficult to replace Suzuki power production from a lineup that didn’t see a lot of power outside of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman. If Acuña can get back to his old form, then this team just got a whole lot scarier with the top of the lineup. An Acuña and PCA duo would be must-watch TV, as both players running around the bases would be a treat.”

Acuña hasn’t been an offensive powerhouse since he hit 41 home runs and batted .337 in 2023 and he’s been wildly inconsistent with his overall offensive input from year to year. Last season, for example, he hit .255 and only managed 20 home runs.

On defense, the Cubs would notice the downgrade from Suzuki in right and Happ in left. Acuña has a rocket for an arm, but has issues getting to balls.

Still, if Suzuki and/or Happ are going to leave and Randy Arozarena can’t be brought on as a free agent replacement, a gamble on Acuña could be reasonable. Financially, he would come cheaper than either one of their corner outfielders last year.

At any rate, Acuña to the Cubs is at least worth considering.

The post Chicago Cubs: One bold trade to deal with looming outfield crisis appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-trade-ronald-acuna-jr-seiya-suzuki-ian-happ-atlanta-braves/