Chicago Cubs: Late in winter, will Jon Jay take a discount to return?

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 09: Jon Jay #30 of the Chicago Cubs catches a fly ball in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during game three of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 09: Jon Jay #30 of the Chicago Cubs catches a fly ball in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during game three of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 09: Jon Jay #30 of the Chicago Cubs catches a fly ball in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during game three of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 09: Jon Jay #30 of the Chicago Cubs catches a fly ball in the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals during game three of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Jon Jay remains among free agent outfielders still searching for a home. With Spring Training nearing, is a discounted return to the Chicago Cubs in the cards?

In what undoubtedly ranks as one of the slowest-moving offseason in baseball history, the Chicago Cubs still have moves to make. Somehow, a spot remains open in the starting rotation. The club could look for outside help both behind the dish and in the outfield before reporting to Mesa next month.

Enter free agent outfielder Jon Jay.

Jay, who turns 33 in March, is among what seems like an endless list of outfielders without a 2018 home. Lorenzo Cain, Carlos Gomez, Rajai Davis, Jarrod Dyson, Peter Bourjos and Austin Jackson headline that group along with Jay, who enjoyed a stellar 2017 campaign on the North Side.

Yes, everyone on that list would like to land a multi-year deal that takes the toward the final years of their career. Given how the market has played out, though, I wouldn’t expect that to come to fruition for many of these names, Jay included.

If the Cubs decide they want a proven veteran in the outfield, it’s hard to imagine someone fitting better into the mix than this professional hitter.

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