Chicago Cubs: Top three realistic free agent acquisitions this offseason

After missing the postseason for the first time in five years, the Chicago Cubs will likely look to free agency to help bolster their flawed roster.

As we speak, the postseason is and has been underway with the 2019 World Series is right around the corner. Unfortunately, the Chicago Cubs came so close, yet so far from finding themselves once again in the thick of postseason madness.

After playing in October annually since 2015, when a young, exciting team blossomed under then-first-year manager Joe Maddon, Chicago suffered an epic late-season collapse this year. The club won just 84 games in the regular season – with that being said, changes need to be made.

Moving on from Maddon marked just the first of what will likely be several major changes coming this winter. In their search for a new manager, the Cubs are looking for someone who can both assume a leadership role among the players and ultimately lead them to the postseason. With this idea in mind, this manager also needs the tools to get the job done – a balanced, well-constructed roster. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest holes that needs filling is pitching, and the outfield.

Thankfully, free agency is almost upon us. Beginning five days after the conclusion of the World Series, this year’s free agent class should be one to remember. With several big-name players entering free agency such as Geritt Cole and Anthony Rendon headlining free agency, it should be interesting to see where these superstars end up.

While adding Cole would be a huge upgrade to the pitching rotation, it simply isn’t realistic. The Cubs are still suffering from outrageously big contracts such as that of Jon Lester and Yu Darvish. They aren’t in the right financial circumstances to make such a signing.

WIth that being said, Zack Wheeler and Madison Bumgarner are contenders that would fit the Cubs’ needs while bolstering their roster and Howie Kendrick would address several of their remaining shortcomings.