Chicago Cubs: Bold moves needed ahead of life without Kyle Tucker

More News: Chicago Cubs pitcher, defense win big honors

The immediate plan appears to be Seiya Suzuki back in right with top prospect Owen Caissie as the plan B or, possibly, a co-plan A. But, remember, there’s a reason Suzuki has been bounced from right field in two consecutive seasons. Also remember Caissie knocking himself loopy after crashing into the brick outfield wall at the end of the season.

Chicago, as a team with postseason aspirations next year, would be wise to have a really, really good right field plan, at least one that offers more security than what they have now.

The question, of course, is how to secure a right field plan without bulldozing Suzuki’s contributions and Caissie’s status as a hopeful next big Cubs thing.

Free agency

Free agency is an option.

Mike Yastrzemski will be available at a good price on a one or two year deal. At 35, he’s past his prime, but he can still play good defense and is adept at the role of leadoff hitter– something the Cubs most definitely need help with.

Max Kepler, like Yastrzemski, is a veteran left-handed hitting outfielder who could be had for a good price. Unlike Yastrzemski, he seems to be on the decline defensively and may be starting to have trouble getting bat on ball. But as a one-year insurance policy for right field he’d be a solid pickup.

Starling Marte is a right-handed hitting option who could be worked into the mix at right field. At 37, there’s a lot of mileage on him, but he’d fit in just fine as a low-cost, low-risk fourth outfielder-type.

And if free agency isn’t the way to go?

How about a good ol’ crosstown trade?

A crosstown trade gamble

At the beginning of last season, the White Sox were expected to trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr. at the trade deadline. However, Robert’s season was going so poorly at the deadline that the Sox decided to hold on to him rather than take a reduced haul.

The 28-year-old has all the tools for stardom and touched on that potential in 2023 when he hit 38 home runs, stole 20 bases, and played elite-level defense. Injuries have hampered him throughout his career and they’ve made him what he is today– a “what if” player with a relatively big contract for minimal output.

The Sox, who have a $20 million team option on him in both 2026 and 2027, would love to trade Robert and not have to let him go for nothing if/when they decided to not exercise their option.

If the Cubs were willing to take on that cost, he could probably be had for a relative song. They could then switch him out to right field and hope for the best from the right-handed hitting talent who would be looking for a career rebound. If things don’t pan out, they could turn down their option for next season and buy out his contract for $2 million.

There is life after Kyle Tucker. The Cubs just need to be aggressive and a bit creative in filling that right field spot. Or, maybe, expectations will get flipped and they’ll re-sign Tucker after all. Time will tell.