Chicago Cubs: Trading Kyle Schwarber could have a domino effect

Chicago Cubs: Schwarber out, Harper in?

With Schwarber departing in this scenario, that opens up a hole in left field for the Cubs. Naturally, it would be easy to merely plug Ian Happ or Ben Zobrist into that spot on a daily basis.

But instead, let’s revisit signing Bryce Harper. Aside from the money, one of the concerns with signing Harper was creating a logjam in the outfield. In this case, the Cubs can now sign Harper too, in essence, replace Schwarber while also masking some of his defensive deficiencies in left field.

The Cubs would still have the ability to try to move Happ or even alternate him at second base with Ben Zobrist, who is also likely to reprise his role as a super utility player under Joe Maddon.

While signing Harper would certainly stimulate a buzz on the North Side and shake up the league, it would also prohibit the Cubs from signing a marquee left-handed reliever like Andrew Miller or Zach Britton.

So, they would have to stay in-house – or, at the very least, with a familiar face.