Chicago Cubs: 5 realistic pitchers to target in free agency

Chicago Cubs: 5 Pitchers to Target in Free Agency – #3: Kevin Gausman

Another pitcher having an absolutely resurgent year is Kevin Gausman of the San Francisco Giants. Gausman is currently 10-5 with a 2.31 ERA and like everybody on this list, is an unrestricted free agent heading into the offseason. Gausman’s numbers are currently 1.72 below his career ERA of 4.03 and 1.9 strikeouts per nine above his career mark, sitting nicely at 10.7 currently.

Gausman has seen above average success in the past but this season has been a whole new ballgame so to speak. He is already sitting at 132 1/3 innings on the season which is already the fourth-highest mark of his career, through the beginning of just August. His home and road splits are both impressive. His batting average allowed of .220 to lefties isn’t bad either, while his BAA to righties is a mere .142.

Gausman would be a solid starter for any rotation and an ace on most pitching staffs. If the Chicago Cubs are looking to be competitive as soon as next year, a pitcher of Gausman’s caliber would definitely help set the wheels in motion. The 30-year-old is currently making $18.9M on a one-year deal in San Francisco and it is hard to imagine it would be any cheaper next year due to the current success he is seeing.