Cubs Reportedly Nearing Deal With Former D-Backs and Rays Slugger Steven Souza

Former Washington Nationals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza Jr. is about to get scooped up off the free agent market.

Per Ken Rosenthal, the Chicago Cubs and Souza are nearing a deal, which is expected to be a major league contract.

After the expected loss of Nicholas Castellanos the Cubs likely plan to roll with Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ and Jason Heyward as their starting outfield, but having Souza as an option off the bench will prove to be valuable. He's no Gold Glover in the outfield, but he can hit for power, which is exactly what the Cubs will need when one of the aforementioned starters get a day off.

Souza could be a bounce back candidate in 2020 after playing just 72 total games over the past two years (including zero in 2019). His 2017 campaign was his best, during which he slugged 78 runs scored, 30 homers, 78 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Those stats were enough for the Rays to name him their team MVP.

Souza could surprise a lot of people, so the Cubs were certainly thinking ahead when making the decision to sign him. Expect him to be a key bench piece for new manager David Ross.