Former Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber could be a perfect fit for the Rockies

Former Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber could be a fit for the Colorado Rockies.

You know what would be fun? Watching Kyle Schwarber mash at Coors Field for the rest of his career. That is, unless the Chicago Cubs were in Denver for the weekend. In that case, it could prove painful for the franchise that once selected the slugging outfielder in the first round.

According to Colorado Rockies manger Bud Black, the team is looking to add a bat either in the outfield or at first or second base this offseason. Now, the Rockies are hardly a big-market presence, but they could absolutely swing a deal that would bring Schwarber to the Mile High City and balance out a lineup that’s pretty right-handed heavy as currently constructed.

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

Chicago non-tendered Schwarber rather than go through arbitration one last time. He was expected to make somewhere in the $8-10 million range in 2021 – a price too rich for the Cubs’ blood given his disappointing 2020 performance. He followed up a breakout second half in 2019 with a .188/.308/.393 line that culminated in the lowest OPS of his career.

Given the Cubs’ continued offensive shortcomings in recent years, new president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer decided the time for change had come. The team added Phillip Ervin off waivers this week, but that’s not exactly what I’d call a difference-making move.

With only Jason Heyward and Ian Happ locked in on the 40-man roster in the outfield, the front office can go in a few different directions in rounding out the roster. They can keep Happ in center or move him to left, potentially looking for a leadoff-type presence to handle center field, as well.

As for the Rockies, it’s hard to envision this team contending in any serious way in the near future. They’re blocked in the NL West by both the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the up-and-coming San Diego Padres. In other words, the two best teams in the Senior Circuit.

We’ve heard rumors they’re shopping Nolan Arenado and/or Trevor Story already. So, needless to say, losing either of those guys is a major hit to the club’s chances. Of course, we’ve heard those Arenado-to-the-Cubs swirlings, but it’s hard to envision that working out as things currently stand.

Over the Rockies’ relatively short history, we’ve seen countless players mash while calling Denver home. I doubt Schwarber would be an exception to such a rule. We don’t know where the slugging outfielder will wind up, but like I said, boy, Colorado and Schwarber is a match made in heaven.