Proven veteran piece looks like a perfect Cubs target coming off strong run in Boston

The pitching staff has been the biggest focus for Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins - and rightfully so. The Chicago Cubs boasted a surprisingly impressive bullpen this year, and the front office is now tasked with, more or less, starting from scratch in re-assembling that group. Chicago's depleted starting rotation proved costly in the postseason, leading the Cubs to be connected to multiple top-tier arms in rumors.

But the team's list of needs doesn't stop there. Kyle Tucker, a Silver Slugger recipient and All-Star in his lone season with the Cubs, is departing via free agency. Replacing that production will be a challenge. Hoyer also needs to reload the bench, an area of the roster that delivered woeful production in 2025.

A surprise Alex Bregman signing would boost the Cubs' bench, pushing Matt Shaw into a utility role to open the season. Chicago could also lean into its prospect depth (pending any potential trades that involve guys like Owen Caissie and Moises Ballesteros), only increasing the importance of adding proven bench commodities.

Enter Rob Refsnyder.

Rob Refsnyder could help the Cubs solve a major problem in 2026

According to The Boston Globe, a reunion between the Boston Red Sox and the veteran utilityman is now considered 'unlikely', opening the door for a team like the Cubs to make a play for the former fifth-round pick.

A 10-year big-league veteran, Refsnyder spent the last four years in Boston, putting up big numbers in part-time duty, while also bouncing around the diamond, seeing time at DH and all three outfield spots. An infielder earlier in his career, he's seen it all defensively, and the bat has really played up of late.

In nearly 1,000 plate appearances with Boston, Refsnyder slashed .276/.364/.440 - good for a 123 OPS+. In 2025, he carried an .838 OPS which, obviously, would be a major upgrade over anything the Cubs got production-wise from bench players this year. Hoyer must give Craig Counsell more to work with moving forward as he looks to keep key pieces fresh over the course of a 162-game grind.

He doesn't chase, draws a ton of walks and showcases a strong throwing arm in the outfield. Adding Refsnyder would allow the Cubs to add a safety net beneath the team's projected starting trio of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki, raising the floor of the 2026 team in the process.