Chicago Cubs: Perfect storm brewing in free agency

An NLCS appearance, a young core, the NL’s Rookie of the Year AND Cy Young winner? The Chicago Cubs have a lot going for them and free agents are wanting to be part of it.

And all of that is without mentioning the effect that Chicago Cubs‘ skipper Joe Maddon has on the situation. Ben Zobrist wanted to play for Maddon again. Was it the thrill of winning with the Cubs or playing for his old manager? A little of both, but it’s clear that Theo & Co. have the upper-hand on the rest of the league when it comes to attracting free agents to Chicago.

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The addition made thus far have certainly improved a team that won 97 games last season. Now the question is where to slot them all in. Maddon will take care of the batting order–and the chances of it being what we expect are slim–but we can take a look at the forecasted starters for next season. Spoiler alert: It’s a pretty good looking lineup.

The Cubs are slowly building what looks like a juggernaut–at least on paper–and might not be done. The Cleveland Indians have been a team they have had their eye on due to great pitching. Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar are two of the best young pitchers in the game. It won’t be easy to pry them away from the Indians, but the Cubs may be one of the few teams to have the pieces to do so. The question is how much would they have to part with?

These and other stories you might be interested in:

‘Cubs culture is an attractive landing spot for free agents’ – Cubbies Crib

‘There’s an 85% chance they don’t win the WS next year either’ – FiveThirtyEight.com

‘A look at the projected lineup in 2016’ – Cubbies Crib

‘The Indians have a prime opportunity thanks to the Cubs’ – Wahoo’s on First