Ranking the top 5 Chicago Cubs who’ve packed their bags in recent years

Chicago Cubs: Top players we’ve lost in recent years – #5: Nick Castellanos

Castellanos only spent half of 2019 with Cubs but he left a huge impact. Fans fell in love with him with right away and were deeply soured when he wasn’t re-signed or even offered a contract extension before the end of year. Considering how much of an impact he had offensively in the lineup, fans still want Castellanos back on the North Side even today.

Upon arriving in Chicago, in August alone Castellanos slashed .348/.385/.713 with a 180 wRC+ and quickly established himself as the hottest hitter on the team. He smashed 16 home runs in a Cubs uniform. In fact, out of the 68 hits he hit with the team, 37 of them were of the extra-base variety. It seemed like every time Castellanos stepped to the plate, he was driving a ball into the gap or over the fence.

In terms of getting Castellanos back in blue, the Cubs will once again have the chance as the odds are likely that he will opt out of his current contract in hopes to receive a better one after having an absolute monster year. His slash line is currently .315/.370/.574 with 28 home runs and 81 driven in.

You can consider that a form of cooling off after slashing .331/.384/.585 in the first half and earning his first All-Star nod in the process. If the Cubs do consider pursuing him, it will no doubt be a hefty financial commitment.