5 Chicago Cubs players in their final month with the team

This local fan favorite is the odd man out in a crowded outfield picture

We'll always have the 'Summer of Tauchman' - but if Cody Bellinger returns in 2025, there's no path to playing time for veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman.

Early on in the year, Tauchman helped buoy an offense that looked listless more often than not. But he's leveled off to be a league-average bat who doesn't run especially well and is below-average with the glove, but sees a ton of pitches and works counts at an elite level. While valuable, that's not enough to force his way into regular playing time in Chicago.

The Cubs will be challenged to find regular ABs for their four other outfielders, as it is, in Bellinger, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. If Hoyer shockingly adds a star-caliber bat at first base or DH, that becomes even more challenging. Factor in Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara knocking on the door and it becomes painfully clear. The team should give Tauchman, who turns 34 in December, a chance to latch on somewhere else.