MLB Trade Rumors: 3 Potential Landing Spots for Oneil Cruz

Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder

The skills that Oneil Cruz possesses—the power, the speed, the arm—are electrifying. But after a disappointing season in which he batted just .200 with an on-base percentage a couple of ticks under .300, the Pittsburgh Pirates may be losing patience with the 6-foot-7 "unicorn". In fact, he just might be going extinct in the Steel City before long.

The Pirates made some notable additions this offseason in the outfield, including free agent Ryan O'Hearn and elite prospect Jhostynxon Garcia (aka Password). That could spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e for Cruz. Add in another free agent signing (at DH) Marcell Ozuna, and their own two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds, and Cruz could possibly get squeezed out of the picture in the Bucs outfield. A trade may be in his future.

Cruz's Baseball Savant page is scorching red — He was in the 100th percentile in Average Exit Velocity last year, the 100th percentile in Bat Speed, the 100th in arm strength, and the 93rd in sprint speed. So yes, the guy is an uber-talented freak of nature. Some teams would certainly be interested in getting that kind of talent under their tutelage.

Let's have a look at three potential landing spots for Cruz:

Tampa Bay Rays

No team makes more sense than the Rays, who are experts at identifying, acquiring, and rehabilitating undervalued or underperforming players. The fact that Cruz only earns $3.3 million in 2026, and is under team control for another two more seasons, makes him the perfect fit for the Rays as a trade destination.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins might not be recognized like their interstate rivals as a team that's tops at turning castoffs into productive players. But, like the Rays, they are always looking for players that are cost-effective. The only problem here is that they've already got three excellent young talents in the outfield in Kyle Stowers, Jacob Marsee and newcomer top prospect Owen Caissie. But Cruz could fill the DH spot, and rotate through with the others in the outfield.

Chicago White Sox

The Pale Hose are deep into a rebuild, and it should behoove them to bring in as much excellent young talent as possible to see what sticks. Their outfield, among other spots in the lineup, is looking pretty mediocre, and adding a potential sensation like Cruz could excite the fans on the South Side.