Getty

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 02: Craig Counsell #11 of the Chicago Cubs walks onto the field in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres in game three of the National League Wild Card Series at Wrigley Field on October 02, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Jordan Mastian of MLB.com reports that the Chicago Cubs are selecting the contract of Dylan Carlson

“Dylan Carlson has been told he will be on the 26-man roster. Scott Kingery is heading to Chicago with the team, and likely on roster, but Cubs still monitoring external possibilities.”.

Dylan Carlson is a six-year MLB veteran. He came up with the St. Louis Cardinals and spent his 2025 season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Cubs Select Dylan Carlon’s Contract

GettyChicago Cubs new outfielder Dylan Carlson

Once a top prospect in the Cardinals organization, Dylan Carlson hasn’t totally panned out in MLB. Over 1755 career at-bats, Carlson has a .233 average with 43 home runs and a lifetime 91 OPS+.

While those aren’t the greatest hitting stats, he’s still just 27-years-old, and the Cubs need some outfield help to start the season with Seiya Suzuki starting the year sidelined with a mild PCL strain.

Carlson posted a -0.7 bWAR with the Orioles last season. In 83 games, he hit .203 with six home runs and a .278 on-base percentage.

Being that Carlson is on the Opening Day roster, that unlocks the $2 million base salary in his contract.

There will have to be a few corresponding roster moves to make room for Carlson and Michael Conforto. Conforto is another outfielder that the Cubs plan to select to their 26-man roster to start the season. Those moves will likely be players being optioned to the minor leagues.

Dylan Carlson’s Journey in MLB

MLBTradeRumors.com was quick to break the news, and Darragh McDonald provided some insight on Carlson’s journey in baseball:

“Carlson, 27, was once one of the top prospects in the league for the Cardinals. A few years ago, he seemed to be cementing himself as a key piece of the St. Louis outfield but his results have tapered off in recent seasons. He has a combined .210/.294/.314 batting line since the start of 2023. His once-strong defensive grades have also slipped recently. He bounced to the Rays and Orioles, with Baltimore cutting him loose at the end of last year.”

Chicago is Carlson’s fourth MLB organization.

BaseballReference.com projects that Carlson will hit eight home runs in 2026 with a .227 average in 308 at-bats. He will have some opportunities to start the season, and it will be up to the coaching staff and the front office’s discretion on what they want to do with him after that.