Chicago Cubs: Five free agents the team needs, but can’t afford

Chicago Cubs: Springer checks a couple areas of need for Cubs

Since Dexter Fowler left following the World Series parade in 2016, the Cubs have had a pretty large void in center field. While Ian Happ took some serious steps toward holding that spot down this past season, he scuffled at the end of the year and also isn’t really a prototypical center fielder.

So, what you’re telling me is that the Cubs could use a really good right-handed-hitting centerfielder and possibly even a leadoff hitter with a high OBP to come in and push Happ to left field and allow Kyle Schwarber to  possibly DH?

Of course, but this is a total pipe dream. It just ain’t gonna happen at all.

We can all dream, but alas, Springer will probably get one of the biggest deals for position players this offseason and there’s almost no way the Cubs will go after or be able to sign someone like Springer, despite the obvious benefit to the lineup. Springer has a career .270/.361/.491 slash line that also did not seem to be affected by possible cheating, as his 2020 numbers were pretty much in line with his career stats.

Problem is, of course, FanGraphs estimates Springer to get five years and possibly upwards of $115 million, a number way too rich for the Cubs’ blood in the past few seasons and before all of the hemorrhaging of dollars caused by the pandemic.

Chicago Cubs: Bauer could make for a formidable top 3

Who wouldn’t want to see a top of the rotation with Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks and Trevor Bauer? Um, the answer is, every Cubs would definitely want to see that. Well, ok, maybe not everyone, as some would balk at the idea of bringing in the controversial Bauer to pitch for the North Siders. However, anyone focused on winning should have no problem bringing in one of the best pitchers in the game to pair with two other great pitchers.

Add in the fact that Bauer is one of the most stat-driven and new-fangled numbers for pitchers lovers around, and he could bring a lot to the table. He already seems to have at least a good virtual relationship with Darvish, who could probably learn a lot from each other. The two supposedly have talked pitching and helped each other in the past, so having them pick each other’s brains in between and during starts could only be a good thing.

True, Cubs fans and maybe some players might be put off by the outspoken and social media-driven Bauer, but it’s hard to be annoyed by someone bringing it every fifth day and helping your team to win. Besides, his behavior and affect are probably the last things hindering a Cubs courtship of Bauer at this point, given the teams last few offseasons and generally seeming malaise towards free agency right lately.

Bauer, if he does decide to do a one-year deal, could command upwards of $30 million, but will probably have to settle for something in the $20-25 million range if he does a long-term deal. Maybe a suitor will push that closer to $30 million if they’re desperate, but that would be a stretch given the uncertain financial climate most teams find themselves in at the moment, as well as the uncertainty of the 2021 CBA expiration.

If ever there were a time to roll the dice on yourself and max out the amount of money you could earn in a year, Bauer might be able to do it this offseason… and either way, the Cubs would be very unlikely to get involved at that price.

Chicago Cubs: He’s a little bit better than he was 10 years ago

The Cubs have, in recent years, gone the way of signing cheaper veteran second baseman in the decline of their career. They’ve signed guys who no longer hit, field, or run nearly as well as they used to, but then again, they haven’t paid a whole lot either. In the meantime, they’ve also jettisoned a guy who was one of the best hitters in the American League before he got hurt in 2019.

So, while the club has said goodbye to Daniel Descalso, Jason Kipnis and Tommy La Stella, perhaps they could go a different route and bring back someone who they had before he was really good. And yes, 3 AM (La Stella) may be available and has been rumored as a good fit to bring back, but I’m actually talking about another player who was with the Cubs a long time ago – namely, one DJ LeMahieu.

Many fans have lamented the loss of LeMahieu in recent years as he has gone from a glove-only second baseman to a terrific hitting guy as well at Coors Field, all the way to a bonafide superstar player with the Yankees in New York the past two seasons. The reality is though, he wasn’t what he is now as a Cub way back in 2011. It wasn’t until 2015 when he actually became a great all-around player for the Rockies, and by that time, the Cubs were doing pretty well on the infield without him.

Now that LeMahieu is back on the market as a free agent, he would be a tremendous signing to play second, maybe a little first to spell Rizzo when he needs it, and DH a bit. However, he’s gonna cost way too much for a happy reunion, as much as a possible three years and $50 something-million according to FanGraphs. As much as this would be a nice story about him coming home and holding down the keystone until Nico Hoerner is completely ready, it just doesn’t look feasible right now.

Chicago Cubs: Kim could really solidify a consistent infield

Ha-seong Kim probably isn’t a name Cubs fans have heard much about, but it’s one worth filing away for a rainy day should the Cubs (or more likely, another team they play) decide to sign the South Korean KBO star.

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Kim is a compact little firecracker who plays shortstop, runs well, has some serious pop for his size, and plays a decent shortstop with an above average arm. Now, the Cubs won’t need him to play shortstop (as long as, god forbid, they don’t move El Mago), but it’s very possible he could play second or even third if Kris Bryant gets moved somehow. Adding a shortstop anywhere else on the infield would certainly benefit the defense, and that’s an area where the Cubs already did pretty well last season.

Kim is only 25 years old, so he’s still super young for a guy looking to come over to the states for the first time. He has averaged over 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in all of his full seasons in the KBO, and even smacked 30 bombs last year to go along with 109 RBI, 75 BB and a .308/.399/.526 slash line. Now, there’s no telling how his KBO numbers will translate to MLB, but it’s clear the guy is patient, has some pop, and he’s young.

The problem, of course, is that all of those things will also price him out of the Cubs range. There’s no way the Cubs will be in on Kim, as he’s likely to get a four or five year deal at over $10 million per, along with a posting fee that will no doubt be pricey. Hey, at least we won’t have to worry about another Descalso signing, amirite?

Chicago Cubs: Stroman would make the Cubs rotation really solid

You know the famous expression about the guys who toss balls in the Major Leagues: you can never have enough pitching. Heading into a (hopefully) full 162 game schedule after a shortened schedule, this saying will be tested to the nth degree. After a flurry of injuries to arms during the start and stop 2020 campaign, pitchers will be at a premium over the course of an entire season.

One of the best free agent arms in 2020 is a guy who didn’t even pitch this season due to a left calf tear and subsequent opt out due to Covid. Marcus Stroman should be extremely fresh and well-preserved after rehabbing and then saving a ton of bbs for 2021.

Stroman is a guy who has only had one questionable season since he’s been in the league and carries a career 3.76 ERA after playing mostly in the American League East against the formidable Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays. He was also an All-Star the last time he played (in 2019), when he posted a stellar 3.22 ERA while going 10-13 between the Blue Jays and Mets. If Stroman can throw like that in the National League, he would be worth a one, two, or even three year deal as a 29 year old.

The problem is, the diminutive right-hander could make up to four years and $64 million, a number I can’t see the Cubs coming close to. However, if clubs are shying away from a guy who hasn’t pitched in over a year and the market is completely dry for everyone, it’s possible a one year show me deal could be within the Cubs ballpark… just not likely.

While these five guys are extremely unlikely members of the 2021 Cubs despite being huge upgrades for the team, if you stick around long enough, you may get to see the possible diamonds in the rough Theo Esptein and Jed Hoyer come up with on their yearly winter dumpster dive.