Cubs Free Agency Update: Kazuma Okamoto market, Sean Newcomb signs, Rob Refsnyder

It would seem that the Chicago Cubs will reach Christmas without making their big-ticket move of the offseason. The Cubs have been busy this offseason, focusing their efforts primarily on reconstructing the bullpen, but they have yet to address their need in the starting rotation, and many believe the team to be in need of an offensive upgrade.

Several key free-agent targets remain available for the Cubs. All eyes are on Tatsuya Imai and Alex Bregman as each of those moves would likely be the largest deal the Cubs have signed since they inked Dansy Swanson to a 7-year deal worth $177 million before the 2023 season. It seems that the Cubs have gone out of their way to avoid those deals since then, but eventually, that will have to change if they are going to be a true contender.

Cubs Free Agency Update: Kazuma Okamoto could be the backup plan to Alex Bregman

Now that Munetaka Murakami is off the market, attention will be paid to Kazuma Okamoto. Unlike Murakami, Okamoto hits from the right side of the plate and is four years older. Because of Murakami's power profile, he has a higher ceiling, but Okamoto may be the safest bet. The New York Post's Jon Heyman recently shared that the Cubs were among the teams interested.

A perennial 30-home-run hitter in Japan, Okamoto has turned to a contact-oriented approach in recent years. Last season, he slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs and 210 wRC+. He certainly still has pop in his swing, but there have been some questions over who it will translate to the major league level. That being said, his on-base approach would be aligned with how the Cubs have constructed their roster, and he is capable of playing the corner infield spots as well as in the outfield.

Cubs Free Agency Update: Sean Newcomb returns to Chicago, this time with the White Sox

2022 was around the time the Cubs started focusing on finding reclamation projects for the bullpen and turning them into success stories. Former Atlanta Braves first-round pick Sean Newcomb was one of their first efforts, and it didn't work. Newcomb posted a 9.13 ERA in 17 appearances, but he figured something out last season.

With The Athletics, in particular, Newcomb posted a 1.75 ERA in a tick over 51 innings pitched. He's now returning to Chicago, inking a one-year deal worth $4.5 million with the White Sox. In other words, the White Sox continue to spend more than the Cubs this offseason.

Cubs Free Agency Update: One potential bench option signs with the Seattle Mariners

Rob Refsnyder was never directly mentioned as a Cubs' target this offseason, but given his success against left-handed pitchers while being able to play in the outfield, it made sense that Chicago could look at the veteran as a potential bench upgrade. He's now off the market after signing a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.

Between Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara, it would stand to reason that the Cubs will bring in another veteran option for the outfield. It may not be a major league deal, but the Cubs need insurance for the outfield next season.