The Chicago Cubs' addition of Jason Heyward in free agency really shook up the team's outfield. They then re-signed Dexter Fowler, which is more than likely going to cause playing time issues with Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber. But what about the team's young prospects nearing their MLB debuts?
Albert Almora and Billy McKinney are two of the Cubs' most promising prospects, but they're currently blocked at the MLB level thanks to the team's surplus of outfielders. Throw in the possibility of youngster Javier Baez getting reps in the outfield next year, and you have an ever bigger logjam.
Phil Rogers of MLB.com wonders if the crowded environment will affect the development of Soler, but perhaps Almora and McKinney are of paramount concern, as well.
Heyward signed an eight-year contract with the team this offseason, and Fowler re-signed for one year with a club option. If Fowler were to replicate his 2015 campaign, it's likely that the Cubs would exercise that option because he provided great value for the club (and his option is for $9 million or a $5 million buyout).
On top of that, Soler is signed through 2020, and Schwarber, who has logged just 21 innings at catcher this spring, may not be the team's long-term answer behind the plate. Catching prospect Willson Contreras continues to impress, and Miguel Montero's contract situation (he's signed through 2017) could be in line with Contreras' development.
With no designated hitter in the National League, this would mean that Schwarber would get most of his reps in the outfield, although there is no clear-cut plan for the youngster just yet.
So, what does this mean for Almora and McKinney?
Almora, 21, has struggled at the plate during spring training, but he hit .272/.327/.400 with 69 runs scored, six home runs and 46 RBI in 106 games (he missed time due to a number of injuries) at Double-A Tennessee last year. His MLB debut isn't imminent, but if he starts the season off hot, he could be at Triple-A quickly.
As for McKinney, the 21-year-old battled a knee injury last year and was shut down at the end of the season. He played in only 106 games as well, but he hit .300/.371/.454 with 48 runs scored, seven home runs and 64 RBI between High Class A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee.
Now that he's healthy heading into 2016, he could also get a promotion to Triple-A quickly (unless the Cubs decide to start him there) if he picks up where he left off at Double-A.
Chicago has a lot of good problems right now with their superior depth, but they'll have a lot of decisions to make in terms of where to play certain guys, how to maximize time for others and who to trade (if that time ever comes).
The problem is that manager Joe Maddon and the front office have a ton of evaluating and mixing-and-matching to do. If Almora and McKinney progress quicker than expected and the MLB roster displays little deficiencies, it wouldn't be surprising of the club made a trade to address weaker areas of its roster.
