Chicago Cubs: Four outfield candidates to replace Kyle Schwarber

Chicago Cubs: Pillar would give Cubs steadiness and a plus glove

Veteran center fielder Kevin Pillar might be the ideal plug-and-play option for the Cubs if that is the route they choose.

Pillar is coming off a season during which he posted a career-high .798 OPS. Just one year prior, the 31-year-old hit 21 homers. Like Rosario, Pillar hardly draws walks. But he puts the ball in play and has slugging upside.

More importantly, Pillar would give the Cubs some defensive flexibility. He would allow Ian Happ to shift to left field while taking over in center. Granted, Pillar is not the same kind of defender he once was as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, but he still has decent range and can flash the leather.

Then there’s this: Pillar would also give Chicago a much-needed threat on the bases. The Californian stole at least 14 bases from 2016 to 2019, and swiped five more bags in 54 games this past season.

If the Cubs are not going to beak the bank to sign a Michael Brantley or Marcell Ozuna, they are going to resort to low-cost guys likely to take one-year deals.

Chicago could do far worse than Pillar, in that regard.