Chicago Cubs have other focuses outside of Shohei Ohtani

Chicago Cubs need more than Ohtani in the rotation

Of course, Ohtani represents a two-way player expected to play a big role in any team’s starting rotation. But he alone is not enough to fix the Cubs’ starting rotation. One name we’ve heard time and time again? Alex Cobb.

The right-hander is familiar with new pitching coach Jim Hickey and manager Joe Maddon from his time in Tampa Bay. The Rays tendered him a qualifying offer, so he’s tied to a draft pick – and is probably one of the most sought-after arms on the market this winter.

Below guys like Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta, Cobb headlines the ‘next-level’ group of arms that includes Lance Lynn, Andrew Cashner and Tyler Chatwood, among others. Of course, the Cubs inked Chatwood to a three-year deal this afternoon. This likely means Ohtani would preclude Chicago from making another big starter addition. Coming off a 3.66 ERA 2017 campaign, the right-hander could slot in perfectly behind the Cubs’ trio of Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester and Jose Quintana.

Even if Chicago gets Ohtani, Cobb would still make a whole lot of sense. That rounds out the rotation and allows the team to let Mike Montgomery continue in his swing role to open the 2018 season.

If you’ve been under a rock these last two months, this winter will come down to one thing for Theo Epstein: pitching. It starts with the rotation.

Chicago Cubs don’t need a flashy backup to Contreras

We’ve pounded this topic into the ground in the first month-plus of the offseason. I kicked around the idea of handing the backup role to Victor Caratini or bringing back Alex Avila. Another lower-cost free agent with experience handling this staff? Rene Rivera, who is also a free agent.

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Now, sure. A backup catcher isn’t the sexiest move you’ll make in an offseason. I understand that. For most of last year, Willson Contreras carried the Cubs offense, playing in a career-high 117 games while putting up an .855 OPS and hitting 21 homers. But when he went down with an injury, the importance of a quality backup option loomed large.

Rivera tore the cover off the ball in a Cubs uniform (.999 OPS in 20 games). You absolutely cannot expect that again in 2018. But he’s still a quality receiver behind the dish and should be one of the more affordable options out there this winter.

Avila spoke to MLB Network Radio recently, making clear that winning is the priority – not a starting role. With that in mind, Epstein might opt to bring him back to shore things up behind the dish.

Either would be a fine addition, but it sure seems like this will be a secondary priority to adding impact arms to the pitching staff. Nonetheless, don’t underestimate the impact of under-the-radar moves like these.

Chicago Cubs need a better bullpen – and one that throws strikes

Before we look at who the Chicago Cubs might target this offseason, let’s start with who’s walking out the door first. Wade Davis, Koji Uehara, Brian Duensing and Hector Rondon are all out on the open market.

Obviously, Rondon is no longer a Cub by the team’s choice. They designated him for assignment after a struggle-filled 2017 campaign. Projected to earn north of $6 million next year, they opted to cut ties.

Davis is the clear-cut top closer on the free agent market. He’s going to get somewhere in the ballpark of four years and $60 million after a dominant lone season on the North Side. You absolutely cannot rule out the Cubs ponying up the cash to bring him back. But there are plenty of other options out there.

Brandon Morrow, the Dodgers’ right-hander who pitched in all seven games of the World Series, aims to capitalize on his 0.916 WHIP season as a late-inning weapon. Brandon Kintzler, who closed for the Twins in 2017, also appeared for the Nationals after a midseason trade. The Cubs have been linked to both guys lately – but talks aren’t in deep stages.

A quality left-handed option to replace Duensing is key, as well. Chicago had interest in Mike Minor before he inked a multi-year deal with the Rangers earlier this month. Southpaw weapons don’t grow on trees so the team might have to get crafty here.

Chicago Cubs always a threat at baseball’s Winter Meetings

Next week, representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball organizations will get together in Orlando for the annual Winter Meetings. With everyone in one place, big moves are a very real possibility.

And we’re not just talking about free agent signings. Blockbuster deals have gone down at these meetings time and time again. Will Giancarlo Stanton finally change hands? Will the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes come to an end?

We’ll get answers to all these questions. For the Cubs, could this be the year they part with a big-league position player in hopes of landing elite pitching talent? It’s not out of the question, but it would have to be the right deal. Epstein won’t deal guys like Kyle Schwarber just for the sake of making a deal.

Next: Is this right-hander the future ace of the Cubs?

And even if the Cubs don’t make a splash next week, you can bet Epstein and the front office will be laying the groundwork for the moves they need to make to send the Cubs to a fourth-straight National League Championship Series.