Chicago Cubs: A look at five likely free agent additions

October 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs celebrate after the 6-4 victory against St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Season in and season out, changes to a professional sports team roster are inevitable. The Chicago Cubs are no exception to this fact.

The Cubs have several players whose contracts expired following the season’s end. These players are Dexter Fowler, Trevor Cahill, Dan Haren, Tommy Hunter, Jason Motte, Fernando Rodney, Chris Denorfia, and Austin Jackson. Haren retired, so he technically is not a free agent. The other seven are fair game, though.

Based on the team’s final series of the season against the Mets, there are several positions the Cubs will need to upgrade for 2016. This includes outfield defense, starting pitching depth, and a couple of arms for the bullpen.

The outfield defense may be upgraded at the expense of Fowler, whose future with the team is up in the air. Fowler has never been known as more than a superb defender in center fielder. Also, he has played himself into a possibly expensive contract, something the Cubs may not be willing to pay.

With all of this being said, let’s take a look at the five most likely targets for the Cubs in free agency this winter.