Chicago Cubs Sign World Series-Winning Outfielder
After being outrighted by the Houston Astros following the 2025 season and choosing free agency, McCormick lands in Chicago with the goal of landing a roster spot.
Why the Cubs like the fit, even after the slump
McCormick’s recent stat line is rough, and there’s no hiding it.
Since the start of 2024, he has hit .211/.273/.301 with just six home runs in 386 plate appearances, a major drop from the productive player he was from 2021–23.
In that earlier stretch, he appeared in 342 games with 50 homers, a .259/.336/.449 slash line, and a 120 wRC+, giving the Astros real value despite a higher strikeout rate.
His best work came in 2023, when he popped 22 home runs, stole 19 bases, slashed .273/.353/.489, posted a 132 wRC+, and logged 3.3 WAR while earning strong defensive marks across all three outfield spots, mostly in center.
The Cubs are signing Chas McCormick to a minor league deal, per @Chandler_Rome pic.twitter.com/Xm0PCri9wJ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 22, 2026
With Kyle Tucker gone, the Cubs are lined up with Seiya Suzuki in right, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center, and Ian Happ in left, but they still need a fourth outfielder who can handle multiple spots and bring something different off the bench.
McCormick’s right-handed bat plays there, especially because he owns a career .280/.353/.493 line and 137 wRC+ against left-handed pitching, while Crow-Armstrong has had more trouble versus southpaws, including a .188/.217/.376 line against them last season.
What McCormick has to beat out, and what comes next
The Cubs do have internal options, including Kevin Alcantara and Justin Dean, plus some creative usage that could involve Matt Shaw in the outfield at times now that Alex Bregman is penciled in at third base.
Congratulations to CSG client Chas McCormick on signing with the Chicago Cubs.
— Covenant Sports Group (@covenant_sg) January 23, 2026
More than a contract. A covenant.#CovenantSportsGroup pic.twitter.com/K5SRzyQO2J
But McCormick offers a specific bench weapon profile, a veteran who has been a regular before, can cover all three outfield spots, and can be deployed in matchup-heavy spots if he looks like anything close to his 2021–23 version.
He will still have to earn it in camp, and he may need a reset in Triple-A first, but if he does make the roster and sticks, he could also remain under control beyond 2026 through arbitration.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
