Chicago Cubs: Taking a look at potential free agent targets

Aug 31, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs manager

(70) claps with fans as Chicago Cubs starting pitcher

(not pictured) is honored before the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Arrieta pitched a no-hitter the night before in Los Angeles. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs have plenty of homegrown talent, but are expected to make a run at some top-tier talent this offseason. Which names are the likeliest to wind up in the Windy City?

With three weeks to play, Chicago is a virtual lock to make the postseason cut as one of the two National League wild card clubs. Such an appearance would be the first playoff baseball the storied franchise has seen since 2008 and it is due, in large part, to the exploits of their crop of young rookies.

Kris Bryant is going to win the National League Rookie of the Year and may very well eclipse 100 runs batted in, despite this being his first big league campaign; Addison Russell has matured a great deal down the stretch and Kyle Schwarber seems to hit towering blasts at will.

So while Chicago is already clearly a very talented squad, what happens if the Cubs add a game-changer this offseason via free agency and pair that new talent with Joe Maddon and Co.?

The North Siders would go from a young squad full of promise to one of the blossoming powerhouses of baseball.

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