Chicago Cubs: Robbie Ray has all the makings of a key free agent target

Just case you needed any reassurance that the Chicago Cubs need pitching help desperately, they gave up 17 runs in Friday’s Crosstown Classic matchup against the White Sox. Keegan Thompson was pulled early in this one after allowing four earned runs after just two innings. To be fair, two defensive errors should have seen the inning come to an end but regardless, only one more run that came across the plate was unearned as the Sox doused the Cubs for nine runs in the third.

Though no one expects the Cubs to do anything special this year as they have pretty much become a battering ram for teams to pick up a couple games in the standings, the fact remains: if Chicago doesn’t address pitching in the form of free agency this offseason, this team will not find success. The mystery over how many checks ownership will be writing and how large they will be remains – but at the end of the day, this team needs arms.

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It would be nice to see a surprise big splash this winter, buts odds are the team will shop for middle of the pack starters, looking for a breakout year once again. Enter left-hander Robbie Ray.

Ray has been lights-out for the Toronto Blue Jays this season after signing a one-year deal worth $8 million in the offseason. Set to become a free agent in the offseason, though he is having a great year, Ray has the potential to fall to the wayside as there are several big name starting pitchers available this winter that will be likely to go first. That’s where the Cubs can swoop in and scoop him up.

This season, Ray has tossed 152 1/3 innings and put up a sparkling 2.72 ERA and 3.09 FIP. His 192 strikeouts on the season ranks among the best in the game.

The southpaw’s relative youth bodes well for the Chicago front office; he’s likely got at least a few strong campaigns left in the tank – which could make him a fit even with the team’s looming rebuild. He won’t come with a massive price tag, either, which is another ‘plus’ for the Cubs, allowing them to save money for other needs.

Ray would fit into the rotation well based on his career numbers at Wrigley. Being a hitter-friendly ballpark, a 2.00 ERA in 18 innings of work is a small but impressive sample size, nonetheless. He also has played better on the road with a lifetime 3.63 career road ERA vs. 4.44 when playing at home.

The veteran would provide a solid option to slot into the rotation behind Kyle Hendricks should he continue his resurgence moving forward. The front office will need to realistically circle who they believe they can afford and go after in free agency this winter. If they want a mix of both quality and quantity, Ray is the perfect candidate.

Like I said, if they don’t acquire some form of pitching, the team flat-out will not have success next year. Signing a player like Ray helps signify that this really is just a re-tool. Unlike with a lot of teams that go through lengthy rebuilds, the Cubs have the financial power to go big when the time is right and accelerate the process. Adding a dominant arm or two needs to be the main priority this winter.