Cubs Reportedly Not Targeting Center Fielder

The ongoing discussion about who the Chicago Cubs are going to sign before the upcoming season begins continues to roll on.

Maybe they won't add another player.

Jed Hoyer certainly hinted that's a possibility when saying he likes how their roster looks right now.

Of course, the Cubs can't be mentioned without also discussing Cody Bellinger is still available, and just about everyone around baseball thinks the two will eventually reunite this offseason.

But, with questions still persisting about how the Opening Day roster will look when that time comes, it was rumored that Chicago might have their eye on Gold Glove center fielder Michael A. Taylor.

The 32-year-old has played in the MLB for 10 years. He would bring another veteran presence to the clubhouse that is starting get an influx of youth throughout the building.

However, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Chicago is not interested in signing the outfielder.

"At this moment, the Cubs are more interested in seeing what they have from the 2021 sell-off than signing a veteran player such as Michael A. Taylor," he reports.

It makes sense.

Chicago has another viable candidate in Mike Tauchman if their top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't able to win the starting center field job coming out of Spring Training.

Plus, Taylor doesn't bring a whole lot to the table offensively.

With the Minnesota Twins last season, he slashed .220/.278/.442. Even though he blasted his career high 21 home runs and had 51 RBI, his OPS+ was still below average at 94.

In fact, the veteran outfielder hasn't posted an OPS+ over 100 since 2017 with the Washington Nationals.

At this point in the offseason, the Cubs could use their resources elsewhere.

Whether that is to sign Bellinger like everyone expects, bring in Matt Chapman to be their full-time third baseman, or add another pitcher to their staff, they can find other upgrades still available.