Three Chicago Cubs who may have played their final game in Wrigleyville

Chicago Cubs: Albert Almora Jr., OF

Albert Almora is a guy who has been in talks between fans and analysts alike for a while, at different points, as a potential trade chip for an outfield-needy team. He represents the second guy on this list as one to have maybe played his final game in Wrigley.

At only 26 years old, Almora may seem like a strange candidate for this debate. He enters into his second year of arbitration this season and does not become an unrestricted free agent until his age-29 season in 2023. Still, there is some sense as to why Almora finds himself here.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Since his career year in 2017, it has been a steady decline for the 26-year-old. Almora reached a peak in 2017 after slashing .298/.338/.445 with a 104 wRC+ (career-high) and a 1.1 WAR. It was an improvement from his first year in the league in 2016 and gave fans something to be hopeful for down the line.

Unfortunately, over the past two seasons, Almora has regressed considerably. In that span, Almora has carried a slash line of .264/.301/.379 with a 78 wRC+ and just a .680 OPS. There were some positives from Almora this year in spring training with his swing alteration, but, thanks to the novel coronavirus, we may not bear witness to that change.

The Cubs have Ian Happ, who is a year younger, who does not enter into arbitration until 2021, and who has shown he can be an above-average center fielder. Add in his consistency since arriving in the Show, and it is a no-brainer as to which direction Theo Epstein should go, especially with the talented Brennen Davis waiting in the wings.