Chicago Cubs: Who do they have targeted as free agents?

Gerrit Cole – Houston Astros

The apparent name is Gerrit Cole. Cole is familiar with the NL Central, having made his debut with the Pirates and staying there until being traded before the 2018 season to the Astros.

Cole has pitched 200 innings three times and struck out over 200 hitters three times. He currently leads the Majors in strikeouts with 252. The Cubs could desperately use a pitcher that misses bats and strikes hitters out; Cole is just that. He has a 2.53 ERA vs. the Cubs in his career, so the Cubs could afford not to face him for a long time.

The problem with Cole is that he’s approaching 30, and guys that throw as hard as possible don’t age too gracefully. He may also have his heart set on going back home to California, but that won’t stop the Cubs from pursuing him this winter.

If the Cubs are serious about fixing a myriad of issues, finding an ace pitcher would be a great start.

Madison Bumgarner – San Francisco Giants

The other ace available on the market, and really, a pitcher who fits the profile of the Cubs a little bit better is Madison Bumgarner. He doesn’t throw too hard but makes his living off the corners and weak contact. The postseason experience is also an enticing factor. Like Cole though, he’s aging, he will be 31 at the end of the 2020 season.

He doesn’t walk guys, only averaging 2 BB/9 in his career, and as mentioned about the strikeouts, just 8.76 K/9. His ground ball rate is the lowest it has ever been, at only 36.5 percent, but that could be the juiced ball.

He once pitched 200+ innings six seasons in a row from 2011-2016 and has made 30+ starts six years and will hit the seventh season this year, he’s durable. Bumgarner will probably fetch a hefty salary, but he is buyer-beware.

Rick Porcello – Boston Red Sox

Rick Porcello is a less flashy option which just quite frankly has been downright bad. He has a career-high 5.42 ERA this year and leads the American League in earned runs given up with 90.

He has a bit of a home run problem, giving up 26 this year and leading the League in 2017 with 38. However, he is a former Cy Young Award winner and has pitched 200+ innings three times and is an innings-eater, despite his shortcomings.

If the Chicago Cubs are looking for a cheaper option and miss out on the first two, Porcello could be an excellent reclamation project, especially since he’s never been in the National League before.

Hyun-Jin Ryu – Los Angeles Dodgers

A bit of an out of the box name with a slim chance of happening, this man leads the entire Major Leagues in ERA at an even 2.00. The problem with Hyun-Jin Ryu is that he’s always been consistently good, but never dominant like this. He has just 19 walks in 152 2/3 innings but has only made 30+ starts one time, his rookie year. The injury bug can’t stay away from him, and the odds are he doesn’t explore the market and re-ups with the Dodgers anyway.

Ryu can be a left-handed version of Kyle Hendricks. He throws a little harder but doesn’t walk hitters and lives on ground balls and weak contact.

This may be moot anyway, because if the Cubs offer Hamels a qualifying offer, there is a good chance he may accept, given his injury this year and the fact he will be 37 in 2020.

Nick Castellanos – Chicago Cubs

Well now onto the offensive side of the ball, and this is obvious. With the Cubs, Nick Castellanos has a .365/.400/.712 slash with nine home runs in just 25 games. If he keeps this performance up, the Cubs need to consider a long-term deal for Castellanos. He’s only 28, so his best prime years may be right in front of him yet.

He has three straight 20 home run seasons and is on pace for over 50 doubles. That kind of slugging can’t be found anywhere. He shouldn’t be too cheap, somewhere in the three-year range, and if the Chicago Cubs make a big trade, Castellanos can slide right into the vacated outfield spot. The resigning of Castellanos makes too much sense.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

Is there a better fit? Anthony Rendon doesn’t strike out; he has power and plays good defense. Rendon will easily pass six fWAR for the fourth time of his career, and the third straight year.

It’s no secret the Cubs’ issue is contact, ranking last in the Major League as a team in terms of putting the ball in play. Rendon strikes out just 14.2 percent of the time, which is music to the ears of Cubs fans.

If the Chicago Cubs want to get super out of the box, they can trade Kris Bryant and let Rendon play third. The chances of any of this scenario happening are slim, one would think. The Cubs need hitters who put the ball in play consistently, and these two hitters do precisely that and would lengthen the lineup so much.