Help for the Cubs’ outfield? Three outside-the-box trade targets could do the job

The Cubs’ offseason has been fairly quiet, and while there are plenty of rumors swirling, you have to get reacquainted with reality at some point.

Nolan Arenado isn’t coming to the North Side in a blockbuster trade, and the chance of the Cubs getting a team’s No. 1 or 2 prospect with their most tradable assets on the verge of free agency is extremely remote.

That’s a pretty big predicament for a team that needs to make changes before it gets to spring training in 2021. But while the Cubs might not be able to acquire the biggest name on the trade market, there are smaller names that would make them a better team than the one that was eliminated by the Marlins in the postseason.

Here are three outside-the-box trade targets who would bolster the Cubs’ outfield:

Brandon Nimmo, CF, Mets

The Mets are big-game hunting this winter, and with new owner Steve Cohen already backing up the Brink’s truck in Queens, their next target could very well be center fielder George Springer. That would push Brandon Nimmo out of his spot and also create an opportunity for the Cubs.

Nimmo, 27, is a talented player who lacks flair, but he is good at a lot of things. He can play all three outfield spots, he’s a good hitter and he has shown some power to go along with his speed.

He had a .280/.404/.484 slash line with eight home runs in 55 games this past season. With 33 walks and only 43 strikeouts, he also showed an ability to control the strike zone, a skill the Cubs are looking for.

Nimmo also has had success as a leadoff hitter. Ian Happ finally thrived in that role, but it’s never a bad thing to have more players who can do it.

An outfield of Nimmo, Happ and Jason Heyward? That’ll play.

Dominic Smith, 1B/OF, Mets

Another quality hitter out of Queens — Dominic Smith — would fit in nicely in the Cubs’ outfield if Springer makes his way to New York.

Smith and Kyle Schwarber had similar starts to their careers, Smith beginning as a stocky first baseman and Schwarber as a catcher. His body type made him less versatile, which limited where he could be used. But after getting into great shape two years ago, his versatility improved and his offense, which made him one of the game’s best prospects a few years ago, came around, as well.

Smith, 25, had a breakout season in 2020, hitting .316 with 10 homers and a 169 OPS+. The breakout wasn’t a product of the shortened season, either, as his offense has taken a step up the last two seasons. He has a .299/.366/.571 slash line since 2019 and was used by the Mets primarily as their designated hitter.

It’s likely that the National League keeps the DH next year despite the lack of clarity, but Smith has become an adequate enough defender to keep his bat in the lineup regardless. Smith’s bat would fit in nicely in the middle of the Cubs’ lineup.

Clint Frazier, OF, Yankees

Let’s get weird.

Clint Frazier has been stuck in the Yankees’ outfield with no real chance to play for four years. If only there were a team that just had 450 at-bats open up. Oh, wait? The Cubs have that.

Frazier, 26, always has been one of the game’s best when it comes to pure bat speed, generating some big-time power. Putting him in an offensive environment such as Wrigley Field would be a dream for him and the ballhawks on Waveland Avenue.

He had a solid year in 2020, hitting .267 with eight homers and a .905 OPS in 39 games. Despite a wRC+ over 107 every season in the big leagues, he never has been able to get more than 259 plate appearances.

Here’s the downside: Frazier would make Schwarber look like a Gold Glove winner. That’s no knock on Schwarber; it’s simply a reality check when assessing Frazier’s defense. The metrics did show that he made big strides in ’20, although he had much more success in right field than left. But the outfield corners at Wrigley are a different monster and could expose poor outfield play quickly.

With his big swing, there’s obviously some swing-and-miss in his game. Adding that aspect to a team that already does plenty of it could be problematic. But the offensive potential is off the charts, and it might be a risk worth taking.