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.