4 World Series players the Cubs can't afford to ignore this offseason

The World Series starts tonight, and big-market teams like the Chicago Cubs will be watching the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers play for baseball's biggest prize. The matchup has ignited conspiracy theories, considering what's ahead this offseason, but it's quickly refuted with the realization these are the two best teams in baseball.

It begs the question for the Cubs, considering each of those teams have thrived at developing pitching, are their potential target worth watching over the next week?

4 World Series participants Cubs should be chasing once offseason begins

Obviously, it would seem highly unlikely that the Cubs and Brewers will be trade partners. That said, there's a free-agent or two the Cubs may be circling. Likewise, if the Cubs make a big splash in free agency for their rotation, there's a decent chance that it's for the pitcher in the Rays' rotation.

Freddy Peralta

The Cubs likely will continue to be connected to Freddy Peralta until the day Peralta retires or Craig Counsell is no longer in Chicago. Peralta is a free agent this offseason, and after struggling to open the season with the New York Mets, the Tampa Bay Rays may have fixed him. There's still some question over the success he's having with Tampa, the underlying metrics don't support it, but it's hard to argue with the results.

Tarik Skubal and Sonny Gray are likely ahead of Peralta on the Cubs' offseason wishlist, but he certainly is going to be considered this winter.

Dustin May

Dustin May can't be the big-ticket addition to the Cubs' pitching staff this offseason, but he's likely someone they are intrigued by. He didn't have the greatest amount of success with the Brewers after being traded by the St. Louis Cardinals, but in a scenario where the Cubs have already added two established options for the rotation, May could be a worthwhile gamble to round out an offseason focus on pitching.

Griffin Jax

Previously a prominent relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, the Tampa Bay Rays have turned Griffin Jax into a hybrid starting pitcher. Of his 34 appearances this season, 23 were starts. He posted a 3.53 ERA with a ground-ball rate of 46%. With a fastball that sits in the upper-90s, Jax checks off two of the three things the Cubs will be looking for in any pitcher they add this offseason. The other being keeping the ball on the ground.

He's entering his final year of arbitration, and this feels like the time that the Rays would trade while to maximize his value. Especially since the 2027 season could be shortened.

Jake Bauers

Jake Bauers is probably closer to someone the Cubs should avoid this offseason instead of pursue, but this is the type of the bat the Cubs need to be in search. Bauers has thrived against right-handed pitching, and if Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez are going to be a part of the starting lineup, the Cubs will need help against right-handed pitching. It might not be Bauers, considering the price, but this is an area of their roster they can't overlook.

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