Patience could help the Chicago Cubs grab these 5 pitchers in free agency

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As the 2021 season continues rolling downhill for the Chicago Cubs, it’s safe to say the only way to remain optimistic at this point is to look at different scenarios in which the team can find success moving forward. We’ve talked about free agency, trade deadlines and future prospects that could be getting ready to make a name for themselves.

I believe sometimes we underestimate the time of which a retool takes. Sure, if the Cubs do get absolutely crazy this offseason, shock us and buy up a lot of talent this winter, then I suppose it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that the Cubs could be legitimate contenders as soon as next year. If Ricketts wants the team to be a model of winning again, he will need to at least spend some money this winter, and no, not on relievers that nobody is signing because their ERA is in the 7.00s.

There simply is no excuse for the Ricketts to not spend this offseason to push this retool along. As fans, we want the owners to buy up every player they can because it makes the team better. Of course, it’s not always that easy. In fact, the reality of even buying up a bunch of talent is slim to none just because so many other teams are outbidding each other for the same player. That is why it is important to remember that these things take time. We just want to see that the Cubs are at least in conversations to show they are serious.

It will more than likely time more than one offseason to complete this retool. Although the 2022 free agent class is loaded and the Cubs will have a fantastic chance to get the ball rolling back towards competitive baseball, the following winter’s free agent class is pretty wild as well. Sometimes, spending big on the players you really want just because they’re good isn’t always the best idea. For example, Chicago doesn’t necessarily need a Trevor Story or Corey Seager with Hoerner and Madrigal in the middle infield.

Sometimes, with a little patience, waiting an extra year is exactly what you should do to get what you need moving forward. Assuming this is going to be at least a two-year retool, let’s take a look at five pitchers that would be perfect for the Cubs that will absolutely be worth waiting to spend the big bucks on.

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Worth waiting to spend big bucks on – #5: Mike Clevinger

Currently down for the 2021 campaign due to Tommy John surgery last year, Mike Clevinger has been an absolute beast in his career. In 2016, he made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians (Guardians?) and pitched 53 innings, going 3-3 with a 5.26 ERA. Since then, his ERA has been at least two full points lower every year.

Looking at his numbers in 2017, he posted a 12-6 record in his sophomore campaign in 121 frames and 3.11 ERA to go along with a 3.85 FIP and 3.0 WAR. 2018, his numbers continued to get better as he pitched 200 innings even that season with a 3.02 and 13-8 record. His FIP dropped further to 3.52 while striking out 207 batters on the season.

2019, Clevinger continued his dominance, posting a 2.71 ERA and an even lower FIP of 2.49. It’s not everyday you see a FIP lower than your actual ERA. He went 13-4 that year. 2020, Clevinger wound up getting hurt in October which led to the Tommy John surgery he is currently recovering from.

Once healthy, it’s hopefully safe to say Clevinger will return to his former self and make hitters look silly in the process. He will reach unrestricted free agency after next season and is absolutely someone to keep an eye on next years. If the Cubs do what they need to, he could be one of those final pieces to add to the rotation in a “go for it” year.

Chicago Cubs: Worth waiting to spend big bucks on – #4: Jose Berrios

I really like the idea of the Cubs saving some of that bankroll for a guy like Jose Berrios in 2023. Berrios had spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins up until being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays this season at the trade deadline. In Minnesota, he went 55-43 and had a career ERA there of 4.07. That mark is mainly due to struggling his first year in the bigs with an 8.02 ERA in 2016.

Since then, Berrios is another guy who, like Clevinger, who has gotten better since this rookie season. In 2017, 2018 and 2019 he went 3.89, 3.84, 3.69 ERA and compiled winning seasons in all three years. In 2020, he also posted a winning year in a shorted season, going 5-4, but his ERA dipped a little back to 4.00 even.

Fast forward to this season, and Berrios started hot with Minnesota, going 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA, 9.3 strikeouts per nine and a 3.58 FIP. As previously stated, he was traded to Toronto at the trade deadline where he has since gone 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA in a small sample size. On the year, he has pitched 143 innings and is on pace for most likely around the 170 range. That would only be third best for his career as he has posted 192 1/3 and 200 1/3 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. For 2021 between two teams he sits with a 3.52 ERA

A good word to describe Berrios is consistent. You love to see him keep his ERA in the mid-3.00s which isn’t quite elite but it’s definitely better than average. He is somebody that you can slide into the three spot in your starting rotation and depend on to get you 170-200 innings. The Chicago Cubs can definitely use one of those. He is a good name to keep an eye on to see how he performs. He is currently in his second year of arbitration, earning $5.6 million.

Chicago Cubs: Worth waiting to spend big bucks on – #3: Taijuan Walker

Much like Berrios, Taijuan Walker isn’t somebody who will necessarily break the bank, but is someone you can turn the ball over to knowing you have a good chance to win a game. The important thing to remember with Walker is that he is not an unrestricted free agent come 2023, he actually will have a player option. The good thing, is his contract is very cheap. He is earning $10 million this year, $7 million the year after and would make $6 million if he were to pick up that option in 2023.

Basically, if walker can continue to out-play that contract, it is a no brainer that he would opt out for 2023 and test the market. He would be 30 going into next year’s offseason and be looking to secure a few more dollars while he is still in his prime. Walker is currently 7-8 with a 3.86 ERA. A league average ERA this season is 4.22 and if one thing is true about contending teams, they all have good pitching.

Getting a chance to add Walker would do the same for the Cubs that adding a guy like Berrios would do. He’ll give you consistent numbers. He would not be looked at to the be the ace of the pitching staff but he is someone you can depend on in the middle of the rotation to eat innings and get you wins along the way.

(Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Worth waiting to spend big bucks on – #2: Chris Sale

Chris Sale is fresh back from Tommy John surgery and has pretty much picked up where he left off: striking hitters out and dominating anyone who sets foot in the batter’s box. The southpaw is a seven-time All-Star and has a career record of 111-73 to go along with a 3.02 ERA and 3.47 FIP to this point in his 11-year career.

Sale has broke through the 200 innings pitched in a season mark four times and is already over 2,000 strikeouts at just 32 years of age. He is one of few active players that you can say will more than likely join the 3,000 strikeout club at some point in his career. If he stays healthy, he will probably accomplish the feat by his age 36 or 37 season. Since 2013, he routinely breaks 200 punchouts annually with a career best of 308 coming in 2017.

So… about his contract and the only way it could work for the Cubs. First of all, it’s far from cheap. Sale is currently earning $30 million for 2021 and 2022. He has a player option for $27,500,000 for 2023. That’s where it’s tricky. It’s not everyday a player declines a $27.5 million option unless they absolutely are betting on themselves. Sale, who will be entering his age-34 season, just may want to see what the market is like should he stay as dominant as he always has been throughout his career.

It’s the kind of idea where he just may say to himself “If I hit free agency now instead of 2025, I can probably get myself a better deal for the next 4 years until 2027, rather then hoping I am still as good two years from now.” That would be the smartest way to look at it. If you’re still absolutely lights-out you might as well secure the bag as long as possible, even if you find a deal with the same AAV for the first two years and slightly less the following two years, you’re still playing it safe and earning an income past what your current contract states.

It’s not like teams wouldn’t come calling. Should the Cubs be contending in 2023, Sale is somebody that would be at the top of the team’s list should he opt out and try to secure a longer deal at that point.

Chicago Cubs: Worth waiting to spend big bucks on – #1: Jacob deGrom

Coming in at number one, Jacob deGrom. The man is simply on track to be one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Though he gets no run support in the Big Apple, his ERA and pretty much everything about him from a statistical standpoint is absurd.

deGrom was having an absolutely magical year before going down with a forearm tightness injury in July. He posted a 7-2 ERA with a 1.08 ERA. His FIP of 1.24 is about three times better than most even other dominant starters. Another strikeout machine, deGrom has 1,505 strike outs over the span of his eight-year career. Though he started a little later than most, He still has a shot at 3,000 but will need to stay healthy and continue to be a workhorse in doing so.

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For 2021, deGrom’s K/9 is a ridiculous 13.29. He was simply mowing down everybody in his way this year before his injury occurred. The former Rookie of the Year, four-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner is going to be a shoo-in unless he magically tanks the rest of his career, which I doubt anybody is betting on. His career ERA over eight years sits at 2.50, better than most pitcher’s single best season ever. This guys puts up video game numbers regularly.

It’s no wonder why deGrom’s contract is as expensive as it is. First of all, it will be important to keep in mind here that is deGrom ever hits free agency, he will be one of the most sought after pieces in recent history. The odds of even obtaining his services via free agency will be slim to none as all 30 teams will be inquiring.

Either way, we have to look at the most possible path in which he could end up on the northside of Chicago. Currently earning $33,500,000 in both 2021 and 2022, deGrom’s player option comes in 2023 with a club option in 2024.

Okay, I understand why signing deGrom sounds slightly far-fetched. I really do. Two things you have to keep in mind here. One, is in two years it’s very likely the Cubs will be contenders again and will be making an aggressive push. Two, much like Chris Sale, he could simply opt out knowing he could secure a longer contract on a winning team and still make boat loads of money.

If I’m earning $30 million for the next two years and I’m the best pitcher in the league, why wouldn’t I test the waters knowing I can probably still make the same amount the next two years and add an extra couple guaranteed years to my contract? Especially if it means I can finally contend for a World Series?

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Why is that so hard to believe? It wouldn’t be the first time the Cubs signed a huge free agent pitcher recently. I can imagine free agency would be the only viable path as trading for him in a non-contract year would deplete your farm again. Either way, however you can get him, this is who you break the bank for. deGrom is the cream of the crop.

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