3 Hitters Who Make Sense For The Cubs In Free Agency
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Cubs have to make some moves this offseason.
While pitching remains the front office's biggest focus this winter, the Cubs also need some hitting help. Chicago could lose some key free agents like Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Conforto, Carson Kelly, and Tyrone Taylor in the next few weeks.
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Here are three free agents who could make sense for the Cubs this offseason.
Taylor WardThe Cubs will need to replace Suzuki and/or Happ at the corner outfield spots this offseason. Suzuki should have a competitive market, while Happ’s time in the Windy City may be coming to an end after 10 years.
That could force the Cubs to pivot to a veteran outfielder in Taylor Ward. Although Ward posted some of the worst-hitting numbers of his career in 2026 (.225 batting average with seven home runs), he could be a cheaper pickup in free agency.
Spotrac lists his market value at two years, $34 million. He could be a solid replacement for Happ in left field, especially since he has shown some power potential in the past. Ward hit 25 home runs in 2024 and belted 36 home runs with 103 RBI with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025.
Tyler StephensonIt’s no secret that the Cubs could be looking to add a catcher this offseason. Kelly declined his $7.5 million mutual option, making him a free agent this winter. The North Siders will almost certainly need to replace him somehow in free agency.
They could look to target a veteran catcher like Tyler Stephenson. The former Reds backstopper is a seven-year veteran with productive seasons at the plate. Over the last three seasons, he has a .245/.327/.424 slash line with 47 home runs, 66 doubles, and 170 RBI across 356 games.
Stephenson would form the perfect one-two punch with Miguel Amaya behind the plate. The 30-year-old is coming off a season in which he hit .241 with 15 home runs, 22 doubles, and 54 RBI in 130 games for the Reds.
Tyrone TaylorTyrone Taylor was a reliable bat off the bench for the Cubs down the stretch. Chicago traded for him at the trade deadline, and the 32-year-old veteran exceeded expectations in his limited plate appearances in the final two months.
Taylor slashed .351/.390/.500 with one home run, eight doubles, 10 RBI, and three stolen bases across 82 plate appearances. After posting solid numbers in a limited sample with the Cubs, they could look to bring him back in free agency.
He would be a cheap bat to bring back. Taylor could be in a platoon role in the outfield, given that he crushed left-handed pitching this past season. With Spotrac predicting a one-year, $7.5 million contract, the Cubs should find a way to bring him back.