Cubs trade rumors: Braves interested in Matt Szczur

With the Braves searching for an extra outfielder, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports Atlanta is considering making a trade offer for Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur.

Szczur is out of options this spring, but Rosenthal does note that the Cubs are expected to keep him around as their fourth or fifth outfielder on a depth chart that also includes Kyle Schwarber, Jon Jay, Jason Heyward, and Albert Almora.

Szczur has experience playing all three outfield positions and received a career-high 200 plate appearances for the World Series champions last season. He slashed .259/.312/.400 with five home runs, 24 RBI, and 30 runs.

The Braves are set with Matt Kemp, Ender Inciarte, and Nick Markakis left to right in the outfield, but after dealing Mallex Smith over the winter, they’re left with Emilio Bonifacio as their current fourth outfielder. Sean Rodriguez, signed in the offseason, can also play some outfield in a pinch, but he’s expected to miss the year with a shoulder injury suffered in a January car crash.