Chicago Cubs: An early look at 2020 free agent pitchers

Chicago Cubs: This particular free agent is currently someone on the roster.

We will start with a guy on the current team because Cole Hamels has been dynamite for the Cubs during his tenure here. Before the injury, the left-hander posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.2 WHIP, 3.60 FIP and a 8.8 K/9 in 17 starts. He has a 2.71 ERA and 3.52 FIP as a Cub going back to last year.

Hamels should be returning to the team very soon, and if all goes well, it seems likely the team will have an eye on him again this offseason. He’s a bit more of a risk given he’s 35 years old, but he has proven age has not gotten to him – at least not yet.

He may want a multi-year deal and the Cubs should consider a two-year type contract for him. It’s hard to not want a guy like him to come back when he has done nothing but good things for you.

Now if he wants a three-plus year deal, then passing on him would be understandable. Again he is in his mid-30s and may not have more than a few good years left with 2,652 2/3 MLB innings on his arm. Regardless it is easy to imagine the Cubs thinking about him as a future piece right now.