Cubs Rumors: Diamondbacks Jarrod Dyson on the team’s radar

In looking at recent Cubs rumors, the trade deadline is looming very shortly. The Chicago Cubs continue to eye any available options, including D-backs outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

To separate themselves in a crowded Central, the Chicago Cubs are looking to improve with, ideally, an impact bat or a lefty reliever. They’ve been tied to several names over the past few weeks, including Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, Blue Jays utility man Eric Sogard, and Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta.

However, recent reports suggest the team is interested in another of the D-backs if they end up selling. Speedy outfielder Jarrod Dyson is on the team’s radar according to Patrick Mooney, Sahadev Sharma, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required).

Dyson, now in his 10th season, fits one of the team’s biggest needs: an extra outfielder in the absence of Ben Zobrist. More importantly, he would likely fit in for Albert Almora against righties, slashing .256/.324/.356 against them on his career.

Cubs Rumors: Speed is the name of the game for Dyson

Defensively, Dyson is about as good as they come, saving a total of 90 runs above average in the outfield in his career. In his primary position of center field, he sports a career .983 fielding percentage: worse than Almora’s .993 fielding percentage but respectable nonetheless.

Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of Dyson’s game is his speed. Baseball Savant lists Dyson sixth overall in running splits, reaching 90 feet in 3.76 seconds.

With all of this said, it’s hard to see the Cubs choosing Dyson over the aforementioned Sogard or Castellanos, whom they’ve indicated heavy interest in. Dyson hasn’t put up near the offensive numbers that the other two have in 2019 and hardly seems worth the value.

One positive to the trade would be that the Cubs wouldn’t have to take on much salary. Dyson is only owed a fraction of his $3.75 million contract for the year. While this is cheaper than Castellanos’s contract, Sogard is only on a minor league deal, making him infinitely more affordable.

It’s still unclear if the D-backs are planning to sell, as they’re still only two games back from a wild card spot. If they do, however, Dyson does offer a backup plan for the Chicago Cubs if they can’t acquire someone like Castellanos or Sogard. But he’s certainly not the preferable acquisition.