January 27th: Carlson will make $2MM if he cracks the majors, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post, with another $1MM available via incentives.
January 26th: The Cubs have agreed to a minor league contract with free agent outfielder Dylan Carlson, as first reported by Greg Zumach. The ALIGND Sports client receives a non-roster invitation to major league spring training, where he’ll compete for a bench job.
Carlson is the second veteran outfielder to sign a minor league deal with the Cubs in the past week. Former Astros outfielder Chas McCormick also received an NRI from Chicago and will be in the mix for a bench spot.
The 27-year-old Carlson was the No. 33 overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Cubs’ archrivals in St. Louis. He ranked as one of the ten best prospects in the sport prior to his big league debut and had a nice showing in his first full season back in 2021 (.266/.343/.437, 18 homers) but has seen his bat stall out since. Carlson was a league-average hitter in 2022, but in three subsequent big league seasons has mustered only a .210/.294/.314 batting line in 761 trips to the plate between the Cardinals, Rays and Orioles. He’s dealt with shoulder, ankle, hamstring, thumb and wrist injuries along the way. The ankle injury, suffered in 2023, required season-ending surgery.
Carlson, a switch-hitter, had an uncharacteristically poor showing against left-handed pitching last year, but that came in a small sample with Baltimore. He’s been good against lefties throughout his career, hitting them at a .274/.347/.410 clip in 566 plate appearances. His left-handed swing and approach haven’t been nearly as refined; in 1421 turns at the plate versus right-handed pitching, he’s a .217/.298/.356 hitter.
The versatile Carlson can handle any of the three outfield spots, though his defensive grades in center field have slipped in small samples over the past couple seasons. Statcast graded his sprint speed comfortably above average earlier in his career, but Carlson was closer to the mean in 2025, sitting in the 56th percentile of big leaguers in that regard. He typically shows plus arm strength, based on the velocity of his throws from the outfield, but was closer to average in that regard this past season as well.
Carlson may not have developed into the star the Cardinals hoped, or even a quality regular, but if he can get back on track against left-handed pitching and play solid defense across the three outfield spots, he’s a fine fourth outfielder. Chicago’s outfield is set with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki lining up from left to right, but Crow-Armstrong hit only .188/.217/.376 against lefties this past season.
If the Cubs want to give Crow-Armstrong some breaks against tough southpaws or even move to more of a platoon system, Carlson’s skill set could lend itself well to a complementary role, though the same could be said for fellow NRI McCormick. Waiver claim Justin Dean and prospect Kevin Alcantara are both on the 40-man roster as well. Both hit from the right side of the plate and can handle all three outfield spots.
Some players just can’t get over the hump. I think he’s a better defensive than the stats tell us. But, stats are stats.
Trouble with the curve
A potential bench piece depending on his spring training showing.
Anthony Volpe in 2 years basically.
Looking forward to that MLBTR article in 2028: “Angels sign Shortstop Anthony Volpe to minor league deal.”
Woah woah, that’s Boone’s guy, can’t be talking like that about the uber talented Volpe!
It’s funny because the Angels would do that signing and it’s sad lol
I drive a Hellcat I can say whatever tf I want!
🙂
Oh nice, what color is it? My cousin has a silver Challenger. Won’t have it much longer though, he’s getting married so he’s looking to get a truck. Still quite cool to see a lady driving a Hellcat that’s awesome 👌
Hellraisin (dark purple). TY friend! 🙂
I remember he was going to be the next big thing for the Cards. Also, I remember when the Cardinals were trying to trade for Juan Soto at the deadline in 22, and the Nats wanted Carlson in the package, and the Cardinals would not put him in the deal.
It’s not like it was going to be a 1 for 1 deal for Carlson. If the Cards did that they still probably don’t get to or win the world series in 2022. Soto would have left by this point and St Louis would be without likely Winn and several other players so I don’t regret that they didn’t do it.
Hey Harry, Carlson spelled backward is Noslrac.
Settle down Harry
Ah the Ole Carlson was the reason the Cardinals didn’t get Soto myth. I thought this lame story had finally died.
Carlson and Kelenic were two players I thought every year this is their year and wet the bed every time.
Both are with Chicago teams now
How do you feel about Jordan Walker this year? Need to know for fantasy purposes 😀
gshep7- hoping that Walker takes pressure off of himself and just plays the way he can play. He has a lot of talent, definitely think he will put in a place to get regular playing time.
Gshep7….This is the funniest thing I have ever read here and I think most everyone missed it! Well done sir!
So we which teams are giving out Depends now! Who will change them when they get dirty.
Poster children for why people shouldn’t prospect hug!
He has always been a nepo baby. Look him up, his father was his college coach
Neither Carlson nor Kelenic played in college.
@Gocats I ment he was his highschool coach
What are you talking about? Neither Walker, nor Carlson when to college.
@Jmelltt I ment he was his highschool coach
@banned
You also have a fundamental misunderstanding of what “nepo baby” means. Dylan wasn’t GIVEN anything in the major leagues by being a HIGH SCHOOL coach’s kid. In the modern MLB, you earn your spot and keep it by performing.
I don’t know that he’s any better than Alcantara, just as I don’t know that McCormick is any better than Alcantara. But Hoyer doesn’t seem to like the idea of giving Alcantara a fair shot, just as he didn’t seem to like the idea of giving Canario a fair shot last spring, or giving Velasquez a fair shot the spring before, or holding on to Cam Smith or Zyhir Hope. I see a pattern here, but draw your own conclusions
Sadly, I think you might be correct. I think Kevin Alcantara has real potential, but he is going to need a super strong Spring to force their hand.
Alan is NOT correct, he is regurgitating his repetitive nonsense racial insinuations about Jed not giving a “fair shot” to players based on their skin color, which is absurd. The supply will never keep up w the demand for racism.
Bingo, Robert.
Stupid racism aside the Cubs have shown a definite lack of faith in Alcantara looking at their recent signings. Also showing lack of faith in the farm system OF’s that being the ones they drafted last year being too soon and the ones they have being iffy at best. Maybe they shouldn’t have traded Caissie huh?
Robert
I disagree with lots of Alan’s posts, but I have not seen Alan suggest that Hoyer is guided by color. I interpreted Alan’s comments as that Hoyer does not put faith in their prospects generally.
Mike, I think Jed just lacks confidence or trust in young players, so he’s willing to trade them for proven MLB players and is generally quick to move on from them when they dont produce.
Shaw isnt being handed an everyday position and neither is Alcantara. I would agree Kevin hasnt been given much of a look yet, but last year we had Tucker/Suzuki and Caissie was more deserving of MLB ABs. 3B was a hole they tried to fill internally. The RF job is there to be won in 2026, as clearly the Cubs FO doesnt trust Seiya’s defense. However, Jed may prefer to give Alcantara everyday ABs in AAA and use a veteran off the bench as a 4th OF.
Unfortunately he’s outright said (typed) it regarding Hoyer, but lately he seems to prefer a more subtle approach to his reprehensible accusations.
Jed clearly doesn’t put much faith in young players and it’s fine to judge him on that. He’s made several bad moves, and lots of good ones, but suggesting these decisions are racially motivated is just gross.
It’s a fallacy on the young players not getting chances….baseball is a game that limits the number of players that can play at one time…here’s a list of young players given the chance to play by Cubs:
Ian Happ
Nico Hoerner
Miguel Amaya
Michael Busch
Matt Shaw
Pete Crow Armstrong
Just because these guys aren’t in AAA doesn’t mean they don’t fit the qualifier of young players not given their chance. They have all made pretty good use of theirs. The majority of their lineup fits that mold.
IF Canario, Velasquez, Alcantara, Caissie, Hope, etc were better than any of these guys or Kyle Tucker or Seiya Suzuki they would be playing.
On the pitching side if guys like Ben Brown or Jordan Wicks or Luke Little would do anything with their chances they would stick.
As a fan, I hope they make it, yet in the same vain it’s difficult to stomach Little coming in and walking four batters or Wicks giving up three runs per inning and I’m appreciative, with a contending team, they didn’t stick around long last season.
Cubs have a manager who won’t PLAY the youngsters unless he is absolutely forced to by injury.
Hopefully the young prospects have a great spring training and force Hoyer to add them to the bench at least.
He was justified with both Canario and Velasquez. Canario got playing time in Pittsburgh, couldn’t get on base (.274 OBP) and was non-tendered at the end of the year. Velasquez started hot in KC after the trade and then the league adjusted to him and he spent a chunk of 2025 playing in Mexico since both the Royals and Pirates gave up on him.
I think everyone, including Hoyer, would love to see Alcantara break out in spring training, but I think the reluctance might be more about how when he isn’t injured, he still strikes out nearly 30% of the time. He also has a history of being a slow starter which probably doesn’t play well if he is riding the bench and not getting consistent at bats. Unless he blows up like crazy in SP, I’d expect him to play at AAA until an injury forces a promotion. There is a great opportunity for him to grab a corner outfield spot next year, but he needs to stay on the field and make a case with his bat.
They are probably building their outfield depth because the Cubs are going to trade Alcantara to the Tigers in a package for Skubal. Along with Horton! [I’m waiting for the screams from Cubs fans 😉].
Seriously though, if the Cubs wanted to go all in this year and trade for Skubal I think they move ahead of Philly and the Mets as the favorite to challenge LA for the NL crown.
I am a cubs fan and would love Skubal, but the Cub farm likely doesn’t have the pieces without Horton in the deal, which is why it won’t happen. Hoyer isn’t given up Horton for 1 year of Skubal, plus Tiger’s haven’t even figured out his salary this year and it doesn’t sound close which is problematic for any acquiring team trying to figure out value. If all it took was Alcantara and maybe Wiggins as the headliners, Jed would probably have already pulled. The trigger by now, but that doesn’t sound like enough for one of the best arms in all of baseball. I’d say sign and trade, but with Boras as his agent that ain’t happening either. I am betting Skubal is in Detroit until the trade deadline.
You are probably right about Horton, given what they asked for from the Yanks and Mets. If the arb is 19 mil that could open more doors. I honestly think someone might offer a good deal for him to elevate their teams WS chances this year. As long as it’s not the Dodgers. I’m sure it would be a great package but that would bring puke in my mouth if they got him.
Cubs right at the tax. They will not sign or trade for an impact player. It’s also terrible as the new agreement will increase payroll for the next season played. They have expiring contracts and will easily be under the tax next season. This is the year to pay and go for it. Expect another second place team.
Both those guys played in the bigs and worth a shot as depth pieces. That is how you put a complete team together.
Dylan Carlson was Kurt Cobain’s best friend. I’m serious. Google it.
Well considering he wasn’t even born before Cobain died I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it’s a different Dylan Carlson.
Or a different Kurt Cobain….
Best friend? More like jealous heroin dealer
Not putting your eggs in one basket and adding minor league depth is the pattern here.
He’s dealt with shoulder, ankle, hamstring, thumb and wrist injuries along the way.
How many players have one or two good years and then just disappear into the abyss of injury? It’s kind of sad how much this happens.
Yeah, but how many guys have a good rookie year as a youngster and then just keep playing worse (when healthy) every year after that? Carlson and Paul DeJong?
I like this pickup for depth. Maybe he turns a corner. Maybe he pushes the younger guys. It’s a low risk move.
I have a hard time stomaching ex-Cards
He looked great when he came up but I’m in LA so I don’t get to watch many out of town games (they start too early).
If anyone who did watch he sees this: what happened? Did the pitchers find a flaw, was he lucky, injuries? Why did fail to develop?
One reason John Mozeliak lost his job because the Cardinals, facing budget shortfalls during/after COVID and as a result of issues with media deals, cut back on their player development budget in a significant way.
There were other issues with how Mo ran the org, but this was a major factor in why he is no longer POBO. Carlson isn’t the only young Cardinal player to fail to develop in recent history (last five to six years).
For Carlson himself – hard to know why. Injuries are real and people heal differently.
Perfect depth signing!!
Like the additions of Carlson and McCormick. Both have an above average glove, can play all 3 OF with above average numbers vs. LHP’s in their careers. They’re still on the right side of 30 and have some post season burn. One of them will end up carving out a role as 4th OF’er.
I think Carlson has more upside as a hitter and McCormick has the edge defensively as well as overall speed. I wish them both luck in ST, and if neither can cut it having Alcantara as the fallback is not a bad spot to be in.
Meh: better off with Carson Daly, amirite?
Dylan Carlson looked to have a strong future in his first season. His career has been derailed by somewhat flukish injuries to his wrist and later ankle, the worst after a serious collision in the outfield with Jordan Walker. Once he gets a chance to string together some ABs, he could be a nice pick up for the Cubs. Very solid defense and a classy guy, so wish him the best except against his old team.
At his age and showing decline across the board, with stats to back up his decline,
I hope Carlson has made out his Will.
It’s not about giving Alcantara a shot. He needs to play every day, not rot on the bench. So he will likely be in Iowa working on his contact rate.
It’s hard to believe he is still only 27.
Talk about a bust. Cant hit from either side of the plate so he should stick to one side. Glad i threw away all his rookie cards. Guy sucks