Chicago Cubs: Looking at the notable non-tenders from Friday’s deadline

Chicago Cubs: South Siders move on from Avisail Garcia

One year removed from a breakout campaign, the Chicago White Sox parted ways with corner outfielder Avisail Garcia. Should the Sox look to make a big splash in free agency this winter, freeing up the estimated $8 million he was projected to earn in arbitration only helps things.

Last year, Garcia slashed .236/.281/.438 as his batting average fell nearly a full hundred points from 2017. He checked in as a below-average offensive player (based on his 86 OPS+) and given the options available, his price tag didn’t justify retaining him.

The Venezuelan outfielder began his career with the Detroit Tigers but joined the White Sox in a midseason three-team trade back in 2013. Since coming to the Sox, he’s been essentially a league-average bat (105 OPS+) and will undoubtedly have little trouble joining on with a new club this winter.

This isn’t a guy the Cubs will check in on. With Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, Albert Almora and Ben Zobrist all vying for playing time in the outfield, there’s already quite the logjam. If anything, Chicago will trade an outfielder or two – not pick up someone like Garcia.