Cubs: Trayce Thompson represents a cheap outfield option

A complex task in fighting against a baseball lockout as a baseball writer is figuring out the happy medium between something interesting and clickbait. Thinking through a potential reunion between the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Trayce Thompson maybe that happy medium, in which case, I’m sorry.

Deciding to bring the idea of Thompson into question as an almost free option for the Cubs in 2022 does have some merit. Last season, Thompson saw a tiny sample size of just 35 total plate appearances, 28 of which registered as official at-bats.

While it is insignificant, especially if you consider how many faces fans were privy to seeing throughout the second half of the season, Thompson did damage in some intriguing ways. As the Cubs will likely be out of postseason contention by May (only half kidding), there would be no risk of reuniting with Thompson, and the reward could prove fruitful.

Chicago Cubs: Trayce Thompson provides a nice source of power

The Cubs are going in a new direction for what feels like the first time in a decade. Over their most dominant period from 2015-18, one of the biggest offensive keys was the power factor, as the big boppers took care of business with the long ball.

Since that fateful July day in 2021, it has seemed to be that the Cubs are now beginning to value contact and the ability to get on base more than just power and batting average. Through the values that joined the organization at the trade deadline and the potential of most of the Cubs’ prospects obtained, the organization is seemingly beginning to value defense, speed, and contact once more.

Thompson, last season, went 7-for-28 in his official at-bats, clubbing four home runs and a double. Per Baseball Savant, Thompson showed some signs of that power bat who could fit into a lineup nicely. He averaged an exit velocity of 92.3 mph and recorded a 58.5 percent hard-hit rate, and found the barrel 35 percent of the time.

The 31-year-old came out of the woodwork in 2021 after having last seen time in the majors back in 2018. He posted a .400 on-base percentage and a .714 slugging percentage, which was the highest total in baseball (again, please take into account the sample size).

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So the idea of a reunion with Thompson isn’t as wild of thought as you may think. Nevertheless, a relevant argument can be made for the Cubs, and Thompson could provide precisely what the Cubs need off the bench.