Chicago Cubs: Three things Theo Epstein should accomplish this winter

Chicago Cubs: Re-signing outfielder Nicholas Castellanos

Re-signing Nicholas Castellanos is something that the team should consider a priority if possible. Castellanos, 27, left his mark on the 2019 team in every way possible. The outfielder’s offense bolstered a lineup that needed a push to get them going. Castellanos did all in his power to keep the Cubs in the postseason race through the end of the season.

The former Detroit Tiger averaged .321 in 51 games during the time of the 2019 season that he spent with the Cubs. He drove in 36 runs and had an OPS of 1.002. Over the season as a whole, splitting his time between the Tigers and the Cubs, Castellanos exceeded his career numbers. The slugger averaged .289 hitting a career-high 58 doubles and 27 homers in 151 games. Playing in 151 games over his last three seasons displays versatility that the 2020 Chicago Cubs need to have a competitive season.

Despite the benefits that would come along with re-signing Castellanos, the Cubs do have other needs to meet this offseason and Castellanos might not be the most affordable option. Spending big bucks on Castellanos would do the team a large amount of good, but might not be realistic with the team’s current financial state.

However, the pending question is what other options does this team have, and will they likely guarantee as much success as Castellanos would? At the end of the day, letting a big, successful bat like Castellanos go could be a big mistake.