The Cubs seek power. Could a breakout outfielder with team control become their next significant trade acquisition, bolstering their outfield and lineup?
The Chicago Cubs have been very active in the trade market over the past few offseasons, acquiring hitters to improve their offense.
In 2023, the front office made a surprising move to acquire infielder Michael Busch from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs sent two prospects in return (Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris) to upgrade their first base position.
Then last offseason, Chicago shocked the baseball world by trading for All-Star Kyle Tucker. Although the Cubs sent Cam Smith, Hayden Wesneski, and Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros for a one-year rental, they used the trade market to upgrade an area of need.
Therefore, we shouldn’t put it past the Cubs to add a key bat via trade this offseason.
A big name that has been floating around rumors in recent days is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell. Jon Morosi of MLB Network said last week that the Angels will listen to trade offers on both Adell and Taylor Ward.
That’s exactly where the Cubs could come into play. They could use another outfielder, with Tucker entering free agency, and trading for Adell feels like a Jed Hoyer move.
Adell is on the younger side at 26 years old, has two full years of control, and has the power that the Cubs could definitely use in their lineup. The Angels outfielder is also coming off the best season of his Major League career in 2025.
He hit .236 with 37 home runs, 18 doubles, and 98 RBI across 152 games. Those 37 home runs would have led the Cubs, and his 98 RBI would have only trailed Seiya Suzuki’s 103 RBI on the team this past year.
While his glove is a work in progress, the Cubs don’t necessarily need him to be the everyday right fielder. Suzuki has a good enough glove in right field to occupy that spot, giving Adell some opportunities at designated hitter.
If the front office does have some interest in Adell this offseason, a trade could eventually go down because it appears the Angels love the Cubs’ farm system.
“There are a lot of teams that like the Minor League system of the Cubs,” Bruce Levine said on Marquee Sports Network. “One of them is the Los Angeles Angels, who might be dangling Joe Adell.”
Levine then went on to say the Angels are interested “in young pitching” and then mentioned both Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown as potential trade pieces.
With the team looking for some outfield help, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to trade for someone like Adell. He would bring some more power to that Cubs’ lineup, and parting with Brown and/or Wicks to get him isn’t the worst thing.