Cubs Offseason Outlook: Pitching, Bench Depth, and a Sneaky Outfield Fix to Watch

As the Cubs gear up for what promises to be a pivotal offseason, one thing is clear: pitching help is at the top of the list. Chicago will be in the market for arms-plural.

Starters, bullpen reinforcements, power arms who can miss bats and shorten games. That’s the foundation they’ll need to build if they want to close the gap in the NL Central.

But it’s not just the rotation or the late innings that need attention. There’s another area that’s quietly been a thorn in the Cubs’ side for years now-and it’s time to address it head-on: the bench.

Let’s be real-Jed Hoyer hasn’t quite nailed this part of the roster. Last season made that clear.

Jon Berti was signed to a Major League deal but didn’t even finish the year with the team. Justin Turner, brought in more for leadership than production, didn’t offer much on the field.

And even late-season additions like Willi Castro and Carlos Santana, moves that felt like emergency patchwork, couldn’t spark the lineup down the stretch.

In a division that’s still up for grabs, marginal gains can mean the difference between October baseball and an early offseason. Bench pieces may not grab headlines in the winter, but for a team like the Cubs, they matter. A lot.

The Bench Blueprint: Versatility and Experience

Expect the Cubs to look for a utility infielder-someone who can bounce around the diamond and give the team flexibility. That’s almost a given.

But there’s another layer to this. If Kyle Tucker ends up elsewhere next season, Chicago’s outfield suddenly looks very young.

And while the upside of Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara is real, handing them major innings without a safety net could be risky.

That’s where a veteran presence in the outfield becomes more than just a luxury-it’s a necessity.

Rob Refsnyder: A Veteran Option Worth Watching

One name that could quietly check a lot of boxes? Rob Refsnyder.

The Cubs were reportedly interested in the Red Sox outfielder leading up to the trade deadline, and now that he’s hitting free agency, that interest could resurface. Refsnyder, who turns 35 before Opening Day, has already said he plans to keep playing through 2026. That’s the kind of commitment that suggests he’s not just looking for a farewell tour-he wants to contribute.

And the numbers back that up. In 209 plate appearances with Boston last season, Refsnyder slashed .269/.354/.484 with a 128 wRC+.

That’s not just solid production for a bench bat-that’s impact. He played both corner outfield spots, giving a manager like Craig Counsell options when the regulars need a breather or when matchups call for a different look.

The Cubs’ lack of bench depth was exposed in the postseason. Counsell didn’t have many buttons to push when the offense stalled, and the lineup leaned heavily on veterans who weren’t producing. Adding a player like Refsnyder wouldn’t just improve the bench-it would give Counsell another lever to pull when it matters most.

Bottom Line

The Cubs have some heavy lifting to do this offseason, especially on the mound. But if they want to be more than just a fringe playoff team, they need to get the smaller moves right too. That means building a bench that can actually help them win games-not just fill out the roster.

A versatile outfielder like Rob Refsnyder might not be the flashiest move of the winter, but it could end up being one of the most important.