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Chicago Cubs Offseason: Five free agents this team doesn’t need
By David Goehst
Chicago Cubs don’t need another outfielder
We all remember Jose Bautista’s clutch walk-off for the Toronto Blue Jays a few years back. It emerged as one of the most memorable moments of the 2015 postseason. But, after a disappointing 2017 performance, there are a lot of questions surrounding the outfielder.
Yes, he’s a walk-generating machine who was once formidable with the lumber. The Toronto great floundered last season from the leadoff position. He batted just .203 last season and hasn’t eclipsed the .250 mark in a few years. After his run of six-straight All-Star appearances snapped after 2015, things have been trending downward in a big way.
The Cubs’ need for a respectable leadoff presence may be limited with this year’s class of free agents. With that said, Bautista will receive employment from one lucky team shedding players to cut cap space. Miami? Maybe not, but it won’t be Wrigleyville.