Chicago Cubs: Could a reunion with a power-hitting ex-Cub be the right move for 2027?

The Chicago Cubs lineup situation has taken a back seat to the team’s desperate need for pitching.

However, it can’t be overlooked that the Cubs will likely be losing right fielder Seiya Suzuki, left fielder Ian Happ, and catcher Carson Kelly to free agency, along with backup outfielders Michael Conforto and Tyrone Taylor.

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This represents a large chunk of the offense gone ahead of 2027. It also represents an additional bit of heavy lifting in which Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and the front office need to engage this offseason.

Assuming Suzuki, Happ, and Kelly won’t be brought back on multi-year deals, Chicago will need to find a way to replace 60-plus home runs and 210-plus RBIs. Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez will be expected to shoulder some of that offensive burden, as will the new No. 1 catcher, Miguel Amaya, and rookie catcher Owen Ayers.

The Cubs are going to need outside help as well—likely via free agency.

But with most of their funds earmarked for pitching needs and with the free agent talent pool being especially shallow this offseason, the Cubs are going to have to roll the dice and be creative with their position player pickups.

A Cubs- Joc Pederson reunion?

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That’s where a reunion with a former Cub could come into play, at least according to one analyst.

Jake Misener of Cubbies Crib recently offered his take on how the Cubs could wisely use the $100 million coming off the books to address their 2027 needs.

One proposed pickup was Joc Pederson, who he envisioned coming back to Chicago on a one-year, $7.5 million deal.

Per Misener:

“Regardless of what happens with Suzuki, Joc Pederson is a name to watch this winter for Chicago. He had a cup of coffee with the Cubs in 2021, and showed good power numbers (that came almost entirely against right-handers) with Texas this season, with an OPS north of .800. Given that Pedro Ramirez and Matt Shaw struggle against righties, he could be a perfect platoon partner and semi-regular DH.”

The 34-year-old, left-handed bat-first outfielder was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 2021 and later dealt to the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline that same season. As a Cub, he hit 11 home runs in 256 at bats and posted a .230 average over 73 games.

A good fit for 2027?

As he showed last season—in hitting 26 home runs in 374 at bats for the Rangers—the 13-year veteran still has pop and can still put up meaningful numbers, even if he’s now better suited for a platoon, DH-only role against primarily right-handed pitching.

In 2026, he only played 12 games total in the field—9 at first base and 3 in right field—and that probably wouldn’t change if he returned to Chicago.

There’s real value for the Cubs, though, in even a DH-only bat in 2027, given the loss of Suzuki, specifically. If paired with a hitter who can mash left-handed pitching, Chicago would be able to maintain some of the thump from the middle of the lineup.

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