The Cubs are signing free agent outfielder Chas McCormick to a minor league contract and inviting him to major league camp this spring, reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Covenant Sports client was outrighted by the Astros following the 2025 season and became a free agent.
McCormick, 31, had a few good years with the Astros but is coming off a couple of poor seasons. He got into 342 games for Houston from 2021 to 2023, stepping to the plate 1,184 times. His 27.6% strikeout rate in that time was high but his 9.4% walk rate was good and he popped 50 home runs. That led to a combined .259/.336/.449 slash line and 120 wRC+.
His 2023 season was particularly good. He hit 22 home runs and stole 19 bases. He slashed .273/.353/.489 for a 132 wRC+. He got strong grades at all three outfield spots, spending most of his time in center. FanGraphs credited him with 3.3 wins above replacement for the year.
He’s been in quite a trough since then, unfortunately. Dating back to the start of 2024, he has a dismal .211/.273/.301 line. He hit just six home runs in his 386 plate appearances and also only drew walks at a 6.8% clip. As mentioned, he was passed through waivers and elected free agency at the end of the 2025 season.
For the Cubs, there’s no harm in bringing him aboard in a non-roster capacity for some extra outfield depth. They have let Kyle Tucker depart in free agency, which has opened the door for Seiya Suzuki to move from the designated hitter spot to right field. He’ll be next to center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and left fielder Ian Happ.
They will need a fourth outfielder and have some candidates. Kevin Alcántara and Justin Dean are currently on the 40-man roster. Matt Shaw also might get some outfield playing time in a utility capacity, now that Alex Bregman has been signed to play third base.
McCormick gives the club another name to throw into the mix there. His righty bat could give him a leg up in the competition for a bench spot. He has a career .280/.353/.493 line and 137 wRC+ against lefties. Crow-Armstrong had a breakout season last year but put up a rough .188/.217/.376 line against southpaws.
Alcántara is also right-handed but the Cubs might prefer to have him getting regular playing time in the minors. He has used three options but may qualify for a fourth, so perhaps the Cubs will be able to send him down. Dean also swings from the right side but doesn’t have McCormick’s track record of major league success. He also has options and could be sent down alongside Alcantara.
McCormick would also have options if added to the roster, though with a catch. His service time count is at four years and 161 days. With 11 more days in the majors, he would get to five years and earn the right to not be optioned without his consent.
Ultimately, McCormick will still have to earn a job, but he’s a nice fit for Chicago’s current group. If things go well and he has a roster spot at season’s end, he can be retained for 2027 via arbitration.
Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images
Solid no-risk signing. If he can regain his stroke, decent 4th OF who can play CF if needed.
Yes. Being a right-handed hitter also gives him a decent shot at securing the Cubs 4th OF spot where he can give PCA an occasional day off versus a tough lefty SP. All this assumes McCormick can approach his production from 2021-2023. Along with his counting stats, his defense has declined significantly over the past two seasons. Better health than what he’s experienced the past two seasons will also be needed for a rebound in 2026.
If McCormick can demonstrate some improvement in spring training and approach Baseball Reference’s 2026 projection for him the Cubs will gladly take it as their 4th OF. 🙂
Many Cubs fans have been hoping for a Mike Tauchman reunion as their 4th OF in 2026. Chas McCormick is a better fit with his right-handed bat and age for the 26 season (31 versus 35). McCormick’s “youth” should play better in CF and as a base stealing threat off the bench assuming he can avoid the oblique and hamstring issues that have plagued him the past two seasons in Houston.
The Cubs definitely need to keep McCormick away from the Bears training staff ahead of spring training. 😂
Cubs are setting up for a big trade
Agreed, they’re clearly following the blueprint that all teams do before a big trade
1. Sign Chas McCormick
2. ????
3. Big trade
Worked for the Astros for awhile.
If they trade some of the rookies they need depth but you’re right nobody does that
Keep em coming Jed
Bc the Angels don’t need a cf and 4th outfielder. Good sign. 2 years removed from a solid year
Probably will make the team over Dean and Alcantara as the back-up outfielder.
Alcantara has a 4th option year somehow. If that’s the case it’s probably better to let McCormick rot on the bench and have Alcantara get steady playing time at Iowa.
Jed Hoyer continues his Astros’ dumpster raiding.
As previously mentioned once they hit the tax this is what can be expected.