Chicago Cubs: Breaking down four potential outfield trade targets

Chicago Cubs: Charlie Blackmon

Just like with the Pirates and Starling Marte, whether the Colorado Rockies decide to move Charlie Blackmon will depend on what direction they want to go this offseason. They’re coming off a disappointing 2019 in which they went 71-91, but that came right after back-to-back playoff appearances.

Blackmon would likely not cost as much in talent in a trade as would Marte for two reasons: One, Blackmon is older (he’ll be turning 34 in July 2020), and two, he’s still owed a lot of money. Blackmon is signed through 2022 and is still owed $64 million (plus a club option for 2023). The Rockies may decide they want to dump Blackmon just to get rid of some salary. It’s doubtful the Cubs would want to take this contract on unless the Rockies picked up some of it.

Blackmon could bring a lot to the Cubs’ lineup: He’s been an All-Star three straight years, has hit at least 29 home runs four straight years, and has had an OPS of over .900 three of the last four years. Though he doesn’t have the speed he once did, he could be a potent leadoff hitter. Yet as is always the case with a Rockies hitter, home/road splits are a concern. In 2019, Blackmon’s OPS at home was 1.174, while it was just .731 on the road.

Blackmon played right field in 2019, but he’s been a center fielder in the past, so the Cubs would have to make a decision regarding who between him and Heyward would play center and who would play right. That being said, between the concern over how Blackmon would play away from Coors Field and the salary left on his contract, this isn’t a trade the Cubs are likely to make.