Chicago Cubs need to find the money for Nicholas Castellanos

If nothing else gets done in yet another slow offseason, signing Nicholas Castellanos would be the one move that would appease Cubs fans this winter.

Heading into the new year, Cubs fans are desperately searching for any reason to be excited for the upcoming 2020 season. Sure, David Ross and his new staff will bring a spark to this team and chemistry should be better than before.

However, without a single significant roster addition to date, a sense of doubt has settled over the fan base as we prepare for another season potentially banking on what we have, after watching that blow up epically in 2019. All things being said, if nothing else gets done this off-season, signing the heart and soul of the 2019 second-half Cubs, Nicholas Castellanos, would make this fan base grateful.

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On the heels of a year filled with finger-pointing and disappointing play, the one undisputed move the Cubs made was acquiring Castellanos at the deadline. With all of the issues that surrounded this team down the stretch, the outfielder was one of the sources of hope and happiness for this fan base. He brought heart, passion and energy to a team that desperately needed it. Not only that, his .321 average and 1.002 OPS after joining the team provided consistency the offense had been searching high and low for.

He immediately became a fan favorite and someone we were all grateful to have. His “every day is Opening Day” mentality struck a chord with the Cubs and showed everyone a player like this does not come around every day.

Sure, Chicago needs bullpen arms, infield help and even a starting pitcher over another outfielder, but with the difficulty behind who to sign, what to pay them and how to acquire them, Castellanos would seemingly be a no-brainer. The move would put fans at ease and would make each subsequent transaction seem like an added bonus.

The money excuse is becoming old and redundant at this point, as we see this as another reason why the Cubs have not signed Castellanos. The most frustrating part is that the slugger has expressed his desire to come back and the Cubs have indicated their mutual interest. If the front office lets money get in the way of a match made in heaven, questions will definitely be raised.

Sure, it is a business, but Theo Epstein has notably said he focuses on bringing in players that are good on and off the field and that extensive research is done to make sure quality people are brought into the clubhouse.

Addison Russell aside, it seems to have worked out well. Save yourself some time here, Theo. Sign Castellanos, upgrade your offense, please the fan base and then get creative to fill some other needs.

Castellanos fits in too well with this core. He seems destined to be a Cub and if money gets in the way of the reunion, all we can just do is shake our head. If the Cubs do find a way to bring back the right fielder, fans will be ecstatic and will no doubt get people excited for the season.