MLB insider gives verdict on Cubs outfield ft. Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ, and Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Chicago Cubs traded their star outfielder Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees and acquired Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in December. Tucker is expected to slot alongside strong defensive players Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong to form a well-rounded outfield.

On the MLB Network on Tuesday, Tom Verducci said that the Cubs' outfield is arguably one of the best in the MLB. In all three positions, they are stacked with Gold Glove-caliber players.

Happ has been one of the best defensive outfielders in recent years with three consecutive Gold Glove wins since 2022. Tucker's Gold Glove award came in 2022 while Crow-Armstrong will be up for one after showing promise in center field in 2024.

"(Seiya) Suzuki is going to be the full-time DH, because that outfield is just one of the best in Major League Baseball," Verducci said. "You think about what they have in that outfield. Tucker is a Gold Glover in right field. He's not going anywhere. Ian Happ has won three Gold Gloves in left field and Pete Crow-Armstrong was in the top five in outs above average last year at a center field. He's got a Gold Glove in his future.

"That may be one of the best defensive outfielders in all of baseball. I would think the Cubs now with Tucker and right field, are going to be in that elite group, top two, two or three in all of baseball."

Seiya Suzuki's position finally confirmed by Craig Counsell

During Saturday's Cubs Convention, Chicago manager Craig Counsell cleared the air about Seiya Suzuki's place in the lineup. He would be the designated hitter next season with the Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong trio set to be the regular outfielders.

“Seiya is going to DH a lot,” Counsell said. “That's what's going to happen. Kyle (Tucker) is going to play right field, Pete (Crow-Armstrong) will play center and Ian (Happ) will play left field. That's how it will go most of the time but things happen in the season. We have talked with Seiya about this plan and he is on board with it.”

Suzuki had shown reluctance to be the team's DH as it significantly hampered his value without any defensive abilities to show for it. The Japanese star is in the fourth season of his five-year $85 million contract. He will be the backup outfielder in case of an injury to the trio. Suzuki hit 21 home runs last season with a batting average of .281.