4 free agents whose markets are plummeting for Cubs to capitalize on

Unlike in years past when Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs waited until late in the offseason, hoping for markets to bottom out on players they had interest in, this winter saw the longtime exec rebuild his bullpen, sign Alex Bregman to the third-richest deal in franchise history and pull off a bold trade for Edward Cabrera - all by early January.

But that doesn't mean Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins are done. They made that much clear in their comments earlier this month during Cubs Convention. With that in mind, here are four free agents whose markets, frankly, just haven't developed the way they or their agents had hoped, who could make sense for Chicago.

4 budget-friendly free agents the Cubs could snag before spring training

Luis Arraez

Just 28 years old and the active leader in batting average at .317, one might think Luis Arraez would have a strong market in free agency. But as the game continues to focus on OBP and SLG, the Venezuelan native has been left out in the cold - and seems likely to settle for a one-year deal with a salary less than $10 million.

Last season with San Diego, Arraez led the National League with 181 hits, slashing .292/.327/.392 - but the complete lack of on-base or slug left him as a 99 OPS+, 1.2 bWAR player. He doesn't strike out, controls the zone with unmatched expertise and is probably the best player in the game when it comes to putting bat on ball.

But he doesn't hit for power, doesn't walk and doesn't hit the ball with authority. He's a throwback to an era where a 'hit it where they ain't' mentality ruled baseball - and it's cost him big-time on the open market. Personally, I love the idea of having Arraez in the fold as your pinch-hitter extraordinaire, a guy you go to late in the game when you need to move a runner over or come up with a knock.

One potential hiccup: Arraez is reportedly looking for a path to everyday ABs - but at this point in the winter, he may have to swallow his pride and take what he can get.

Andrew McCutchen

Last winter's Justin Turner experiment failed in the sense of on-field production, but the entire clubhouse raved about his impact on those around him and he played an integral role as veteran mentor. The hope if Hoyer opts to bring in another aging veteran is he brings at least a little more production - and Andrew McCutchen could be that guy.

I think I speak for just about everyone when I say I expected the 39-year-old to re-up with the Pittsburgh Pirates for one last go-round in 2026. But that relationship all of the sudden seems tenuous, at best, which could open the door for a team like the Cubs to swoop in and sign the former MVP.

He was, more or less, a league-average bat for the Bucs in 2025, slashing .239/.333/.367, still doing a nice job of not expanding the zone and taking his walks. McCutchen could add a strong veteran presence to the bench and, who knows, maybe he's motivated to stick it to his former club in his swan song?

Justin Verlander

There's been smoke surrounding Justin Verlander and the Chicago Cubs for the better part of a decade so, naturally, he's on this list heading into his age-43 season.

At 266 wins in his decorated 20-year MLB career, the three-time Cy Young Award winner and former MVP got absolutely no run support last year in San Francisco, evidenced by a 4-11 record, despite an identical 3.85 ERA and 3.85 FIP across 152 innings of work. He's not the guy he once was, but given the fact we know the Cubs are circling the pitching market, namely on Zac Gallen, a more cost-effective route of adding depth to the staff could be Verlander.

The organization has loved Verlander for a long time and, sure, in an ideal scenario, you're not finally landing him as the sun sets on his Hall of Fame career, but if you can bring him in to mentor guys like Cade Horton and Jaxon Wiggins while also giving critical depth and experience, that's far from a worst-case situation.

Austin Hays

With a fourth minor-league option year secured on Kevin Alcantara, the Cubs don't have to roster their young outfield prospect to start the year - which could give him some more time to cut down on the swing-and-miss at Iowa before making the jump for good in 2027, when Chicago has multiple projected outfield vacancies.

The front office has brought in Chas McCormick and Dylan Carlson on minor-league deals and you'd hope one of them can crack the 26-man out of camp, but if the Cubs aren't feeling totally secure in their outfield depth, a flyer on Austin Hays could be the answer.

Hays, 30, has spent the bulk of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, but last year played for the Cincinnati Reds, putting up a 105 OPS+ in 416 plate appearances. Baseball Savant doesn't love him, but he's a solid enough option that could layer a safety net behind the team's projected outfield trio of Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong.