New Cubs GM Carter Hawkins trades for familiar face to get outfield help

The Chicago Cubs are reshaping their outfield this offseason, and traded for Cleveland Guardians outfielder Harold Ramirez.

Ramirez was more of a reserve outfielder for Cleveland last season, but he did appear in 99 games last season. The 27-year-old hit .268 (91-for-339) with 21 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 41 RBI. Those numbers are solid enough to warrant a spring training chance on the north side of Chicago.

The Cubs are in a rebuild of sorts, whether they’re willing to admit it or not. Carter Hawkins is the new general manager, who previously oversaw the Cleveland front office.

Ironically enough, he reached out to the Guardians for what could prove to be a solid under the radar move this Winter.

Cubs: Who is Harold Ramirez?

Ramirez made his MLB debut in 2019, where he ranked sixth among all rookie in hits during his first campaign with the Miami Marlins. Since then, he barely played with Miami in 2020, and then got a fresh start with Cleveland in 2021.

The newly-named Guardians will receive cash considerations for Ramirez, so they clearly didn’t value him much and didn’t see a spot for him on their 40-man roster.

The Cubs outfield as currently constructed is wide open. Greg Deichmann, Rafael Ortega and Ian Happ make up the outfield, which leaves plenty to be desired. Ramirez could have an opportunity to start, either right away with an impressive spring or should he show out early in the season.

Ramirez is the kind of low-risk, high-reward trade the Cubs must succeed with at this point in their rebuild. Fans may not love it, but it makes plenty of sense in the long run.