Cubs Target Rookie Duo If Kyle Tucker Deal Falls Through

The Chicago Cubs head into 2026 at a crossroads. They’ve lost an elite left-handed bat in Kyle Tucker, and now they’re betting on smart roster moves, internal growth, and better depth to stay in the playoff mix.

Instead of chasing another huge free-agent bat, the Cubs are putting their chips on pitching. They’re also giving more responsibility to emerging hitters like Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros, and expanding Seiya Suzuki’s role in the outfield.

Life After Kyle Tucker: Replacing an Elite Left-Handed Bat

Kyle Tucker’s exit is the headline this offseason. He’s a lefty who lived in that 4- to 5-WAR range, grabbed a Gold Glove, and made four All-Star teams.

Even with some injuries and a quieter second half in 2025, Tucker was still one of the game’s best all-around outfielders. Power, defense, on-base skills—he had it all.

You don’t just wave goodbye to that sort of production and move on. Tucker’s likely to get a big free-agent deal somewhere else, and the Cubs know replacing him with a similar player isn’t realistic.

So, the front office is going in a different direction.

Jed Hoyer’s Blueprint: Redistribution Over Replacement

Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball ops, isn’t hunting for a Tucker clone. He wants to spread resources across the roster, not tie up another monster contract in a single bat.

That means more diversified spending, deeper bench, and a team that can win in a bunch of ways.

Here’s the basic plan:

The Youth Movement: Caissie, Ballesteros, and the Next Core

Tucker’s gone, but the Cubs see a new wave of young talent itching for bigger roles. This isn’t a reset—it’s more of a recalibration around a core that already helped win 92 games and make a playoff run in 2025.

Owen Caissie: Power Bat Poised for Regular Run

Owen Caissie, a lefty slugger and top-100 prospect, is right in the middle of that plan. He missed time with a concussion late last year, but the Cubs expect him to play regularly in 2026.

He brings big power, patience, and a strong arm—pretty much tailor-made for the corner outfield spot Tucker leaves behind. The Cubs aren’t expecting him to instantly put up Tucker’s numbers, but they think he can grow into a major bat.

His at-bats have looked more mature lately, and his upside gives Chicago a cheaper way to recoup some of Tucker’s value without blowing up the payroll.

Moisés Ballesteros: A Natural Hitter Ready for the Stage

If Caissie’s the power threat, Moisés Ballesteros is the pure hitter. Ballesteros turned heads with a strong September, showing an advanced approach and the ability to drive the ball all over the yard.

He also flashed defensive versatility, playing multiple spots and making himself more useful on a crowded roster. Manager Craig Counsell and Jed Hoyer have both praised Ballesteros’ natural feel for hitting.

They love his balanced approach—good swing decisions, steady contact, and the right mix of aggression and control. He’s not here just to get his feet wet; he’s ready to go from Day 1.

Seiya Suzuki and the Defensive Shuffle in Right Field

Tucker’s exit changes things in the outfield, especially in right. One of the biggest shifts is what’s happening with Seiya Suzuki.

From DH-Heavy Usage to Everyday Right Fielder

Last year, Suzuki spent a lot of time at DH. That kept his bat in the lineup and helped manage his workload.

Now, the Cubs want him back in right field on Opening Day, giving him more defensive responsibility while still counting on his bat in the middle of the order.

This move frees up the DH spot for hot bats or to protect young players from tough matchups. It also helps the Cubs cover for injuries a bit better.

It’s a sign they believe Suzuki can hold up physically and bring value with his glove, not just his bat.

Pitching, Depth, and a Playoff-Caliber Position Group

The Cubs aren’t just thinking about offense this winter. They’re making it clear: they want a deeper, stronger pitching staff and a better safety net around their core players.

More Arms, Better Bench, Same Expectations

Hoyer and his staff want more quantity and quality on the pitching side. They’re aiming for deeper rotation options and a bullpen that doesn’t unravel when someone’s arm gets tired or a starter flames out early.

The front office keeps talking about building a stronger bench, too. Counsell needs options to:

Young guys like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Matt Shaw, and Michael Busch—not to mention Caissie and Ballesteros—are supposed to be the long-term core. A few of them can handle multiple spots in the field, so Counsell can shuffle lineups and still keep the defense tight.

Let’s be honest: Caissie and Ballesteros aren’t going to just step in and become Kyle Tucker overnight. Still, the Cubs seem convinced their overall position-player group remains playoff-worthy, especially if the pitching and bench get a real boost.

 
Here is the source article for this story: If Kyle Tucker is out of the picture, Cubs could turn to pair of rookie replacements