Chicago Cubs: These free agent targets make most sense for team this winter

The Chicago Cubs could go ‘big’ this offseason, throwing money at top-tier free agents. Or, they could think in a more economical sense and get more quantity.

In each of the last three seasons, the Chicago Cubs reached the League Championship Series. The club won a division crown in two of those three campaigns and, of course, won a World Series title in 2016.

The expectations have changed on the North Side of Chicago. And a lion’s share of the credit for that culture change belongs to Theo Epstein. The Cubs’ president of baseball operations took a franchise known for losing and underperforming and turned them into a perennial contender in less than a decade.

But the team loses some major pieces this offseason: Jake Arrieta and John Lackey, 40 percent of its rotation, are free agents. All-Star closer Wade Davis will also test the open waters this winter. Lesser-known, but still important, pieces such as Jon Jay, Rene Rivera, Alex Avila and Brian Duensing, are also eligible to receive offers from other clubs.

Epstein and his brain trust are responsible for replacing these players and keeping the Cubs atop the National League Central for the third-consecutive season. Rather than throw $100 million-plus at guys like Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta, we put together this list of some lower-cost pieces we think are viable targets. And, as you’ll soon see, there are some familiar names on this list.