Chicago Cubs News: Looking at key Cubs who will be free agents

While core players like the Cubs’ Bryant and Baez still have a year left of control before hitting free agency, this winter will have some notable guys on the market from the 2020 squad.

Let’s face it; most people are talking about Kris Bryant and Javier Baez in terms of an uncertain future more than anyone else on the Chicago Cubs roster. The two will hit free agency after the 2021 season as they head into their final arbitration-eligible offseason. What/if trades or extensions happen with either of them remains to be seen, but there are also guys hitting the market now to look at.

The list of veteran players from the 2020 squad becoming free agents this offseason has some notable names, even though none are core position players. This is mainly a group of role players/pitchers that will not necessarily garner money. It is primarily a matter of if the player has a place on the team in the future or seek a more prominent role than the team can provide in 2021.

The Cubs are likely not shelling out a ton of money on free agents this offseason. So it will be picking and choosing which guys are worth bringing back and maybe sign a few mid-tier guys. Here is a look at players from the 2020 squad who are set to be free agents. They will be broken down by Infield, Outfield, Pitchers.

Note: Players who were released during the season, or are pre-arb or arbitration-eligible will NOT count on this list as they have yet to be tendered or non-tendered.

Chicago Cubs: While the primary starting outfielders are either under team control, arbitration-eligible, or under contract, depth outfielders will be free agents.

Cameron Maybin (OF)

The 10-year veteran was a nice little pickup for the Cubs, who got him in a trade with the Detroit Tigers for Zack Short. He hit .250/.304/.365 in 18 games as a Cub and was an excellent presence in the clubhouse. Could he be resigned as veteran depth? Possibly, he is pretty cheap. However, I would not put money on it.

Billy Hamilton (OF)

After years of torturing the Cubs as a Reds member, the speedy centerfielder was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on September 6th. He was mainly a pinch-runner/defensive replacement late in his 14 games as a Cub, to nobody’s surprise. It was fun watching him turn on the burners and zoom around the bases, but he is a guy to have on a roster late in a season as his bat is not very productive. Unless he signs a Minor League deal, he is unlikely to be back with the Cubs in 2021.

Chicago Cubs: Most of the biggest names on the list of upcoming free agents this year are pitchers.

Jon Lester (SP)

We will include Lester on this list. His guaranteed six years as a Cub are up, and 2021 is a club option at $25 million (vesting option requirements were not met). It is expected that the Cubs will buy out his contract at $10 million, and he will become a free agent.

Whether or not the Cubs re-sign him to a smaller deal in 2021 is yet to be seen. It cannot be ruled out, especially if he signs cheap, and they need starter depth. Lester struggled last year with a 5.16 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 12 starts as Father Time is taking over the former All-Star and postseason hero. Do not be surprised either if he goes back to Boston.

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Jose Quintana (SP)

Cubs fans cringe thinking about Quintana’s tenure as a Cub when they see Eloy Jimenez crushing 450-foot shots for the South Siders. The veteran who came over in the historic blockbuster deal with the White Sox in 2017 was not as consistent as he was on the South Side. He only pitched in four games this year due to some bizarre injuries. If he does come back, it would be on a new cheaper deal and likely not a qualifying offer, which is almost $19 million. While not confident he is not coming back, it seems less likely he will be.

Tyler Chatwood (SP/LRP)

His three-year, $38 million deal has expired after a roller coaster of a ride. The first year in 2018 was horrendous as he walked 95 batters in 103 2/3 innings. 2019 was noticeably better as a long reliever/spot-starter when he put up a 3.76 ERA in 41 games. 2020 he started fantastic as a starter but then got crushed in Kansas City and then got hurt and finished the year only pitching in five games. Guess is he will be pitching elsewhere in 2021.

Jeremy Jeffress (RHP/CL)

After struggling in 2019, the veteran reliever signed a one-year, $850K deal with the Cubs in 2020 to regain form and play for another contender. Jeffress was the team’s most reliable and consistent reliever as he pitched to a 1.54 ERA, 0.943 WHIP, and recorded eight saves in 22 appearances. This feels like a case where he will be seeking a more significant opportunity in 2021 after his bounce-back 2020 season. I would not be surprised if he goes elsewhere next year.

There you have it. The list is not extensive outside of pitchers. The names becoming free agents can, for the most part, easily be filled in. It is just a matter of what new talent the Cubs want to bring in and where some of the upcoming prospects will be projected in 2021. So many questions about the future, right now, very few answers.