Continuing to add to the depth chart is an ongoing task for the Cubs as the days tick down to the start of Spring Training. That is how Monday’s signing of outfielder Dylan Carlson to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training fits into the picture.
“We were very healthy last year position-player-wise,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said after the Bregman signing earlier this month. “I don’t think we can count on that every year, so I do think adding depth to our roster is still something that we’re going to be focused on.
“So, by no means are we done with the offseason. But I do think we’ve checked some of the big boxes that we were hoping to accomplish.”
One remaining goal is to bring in multiple options for manager Craig Counsell to build his bench, especially after the team was so reliant on its primary starting nine in 2025. Last year, six players appeared in at least 150 games — tying a single-season club record that was set in 1968. Counsell wants to have better options to build in rest days for his regulars.
It will be especially important for Counsell to identify his backup group behind left fielder Ian Happ, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and right fielder Seiya Suzuki. Rookie Owen Caissie figured to be in that mix until he was traded to the Marlins as part of the three-prospect package to land Cabrera.
Matt Shaw, who was Chicago’s third baseman last year, projects to be a super utility man now that Bregman is on board. Counsell and Hoyer noted at Cubs Convention earlier this month that Shaw would play some outfield as part of that role, while also offering depth at second, short and third.
The Cubs also signed Tyler Austin to be a backup first baseman behind Michael Busch; he is a possibility for the outfield as well. Outfielder Justin Dean is also on the 40-man roster after being claimed off waivers from the Giants.
Former Top 100 prospect Kevin Alcántara (currently the Cubs’ No. 4 per MLB Pipeline) is on the roster and has the ability to play all three positions. With a strong camp, he could contend for a fourth outfielder job, but the Cubs also secured a fourth Minor League option year for him, meaning he can be sent to Triple-A Iowa without being exposed to waivers.
Carlson, 27, gives Chicago another experienced outfielder to consider for the bench. Similarly, it has also been reported that the Cubs agreed to a Minor League deal (plus a non-roster invite to camp) with Chas McCormick, though the team has neither confirmed nor announced that signing.
Carlson, a first-round pick for St. Louis in 2016, has spent parts of six years in the Majors with the Cardinals, Rays and Orioles. He hit .203 (.614 OPS) in 83 games last season for Baltimore while manning all three outfield spots. In his career, the switch-hitting Carlson has hit lefties (.274 average/.757 OPS) better than righties (.217/.655)
The 30-year-old McCormick, who has five seasons of MLB experience with the Astros, hit just .210 with a .569 OPS in 66 games in ‘25. He has also hit lefties (.280/.847) better than righties (.232/.684) in his career, and is not too far removed from a solid year. In 2023 he had 22 homers, 70 RBIs and an .842 OPS in 115 games.
