Key selling point could help Jed Hoyer and the Cubs land their top free agent targets

The fact that San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. won the National League Platinum Glove over Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is laughable - and a testament to how ridiculous it is the honor is a fan vote.

Even so, everybody knows that Crow-Armstrong just turned in a defensive season for the ages, racking up five-star catches at a staggering rate and winning the first Gold Glove of his young career. But he wasn't alone in his status as an elite defender. Chicago had six players named Gold Glove finalists this year, including PCA, Ian Happ, Carson Kelly, Matthew Boyd, Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw - with Happ, Hoerner and Crow-Armstrong all bringing home hardware.

The Cubs were also named the NL Team Award winner - and anyone who watched this club knows why. They built a reputation as an incredibly strong defensive group and the trio of Dansby Swanson, Hoerner and PCA up the middle might be the best trio in baseball. Michael Busch excelled on both sides of the ball and, although Shaw struggled at the plate at times, he took to the hot corner better than anyone could have anticipated.

Cubs should be an attractive free agent destination for pitchers

With everybody I just mentioned returning in 2026, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer would be well served to lean into that reputation in conversations with free agent pitchers this winter. This is a team in dire need of a top-of-the-rotation arm and having an elite defense lined up behind you is hardly the worst thing in the world if you're looking for a new home.

Chicago has multiple options at their disposal, including re-visiting trade talks from the summer, or pursuing someone like Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease or Ranger Suarez in free agency - but the goal is unquestionable: add an ace that can lead the staff into October.

The defense could also be a major selling point for the team's usual targets: pitchers coming back from injury and veterans looking to get their careers back on track. Short-term deals with the Cubs could be a nice avenue toward a longer-term payday, with numbers buoyed by one of the best defenses in the game.