3 flawed free agents the Cubs must avoid at all costs this offseason

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After back-to-back 83-win seasons, the Chicago Cubs need to bring in some new faces this offseason to bolster the roster. The organization has a healthy amount of depth on both the pitching and position player sides, but the big-league roster lacks true difference-making stars. This can be changed by signing impact free agents and reinvesting the money that is coming off the payroll.

That doesn't mean throwing money at the wrong players, though. For starters, here are three free agents the Cubs should steer clear of as they look to turn the corner this winter.

1. 1B Paul Goldschmidt

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is set to hit the market this winter. At 37 years old, Goldschmidt is coming off a down year by his standards, calling into question whether time has finally caught up with the former MVP. Health has never really been an issue, as he's impressively played at least 150 games in each of his last nine seasons excluding, of course, the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

Goldschmidt expects to play next year, but it reportedly won't be with the Cardinals. St. Louis is going through its own struggles and they are expected to shed payroll and possibly begin a more extensive rebuild. Bleacher Report predicted that Goldschmidt would sign with the Cubs or Mariners if they can't land Pete Alonso, which would be a mistake.

The Cubs are looking to upgrade wherever they can right now, and have a young first baseman in Michael Busch who made huge strides after becoming an everyday player this year. Busch is looking to build on his 21-homer campaign, where he also emerged as a top defender at first base. If the Cubs are going to replace/trade him, they better get a player of Alonso's caliber to fill the void. Alonso is a clear upgrade to most first basemen in the league, given his consistent 30+ homer floor.

Goldschmidt was that guy at one point in his career, but he isn't a long-term option given his age. The Cubs shouldn't gamble on Goldschmidt returning to form when they have a younger player who is trending in the right direction and a more attractive alternative available in Alonso.

2. RHP Walker Buehler

Walker Buehler is a former first-round pick and two-time All-Star entering his age-30 season. At one point, he was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, culminating in a Cy Young-caliber campaign in 2021. That year, he amassed 207 2/3 innings, with a 2.47 ERA and 212 strikeouts. He's never come close to replicating those numbers since.

Buehler underwent several procedures in 2022, including his second Tommy John surgery, bone spur removal and a flexor tendon repair. The former Dodgers ace was sidelined for all of 2023 and returned this year looking like a different pitcher. In 16 starts, Buehler had a 5.38 ERA (5.54 FIP) with a 1.55 WHIP.

Buehler is hitting free agency after the postseason, where he will be one of the Dodgers' main starters given their list of extensive pitching injuries. His postseason performance could seriously impact where he ends up playing in 2025, but regardless it should not be with the Cubs.

The Cubs have an impressive list of starting pitching depth who will hopefully be more healthy in 2025. That depth needs to be supplemented by high-end starting pitching like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried. Buehler admittedly has a high ceiling, but his lackluster performance since returning from injury is concerning. Gambling on Buehler runs the risk of blowing up in the Cubs' face if he doesn't return to his old self.

3. LHP Jose Quintana

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer loves to reunite with former players. The latest example comes in the form of trading for Isaac Paredes, who was originally signed by the Cubs as an international free agent in 2015. But this is one reunion I would not like to see.

Jose Quintana has had a great year with the New York Mets, don't get me wrong. In the wake of ace Kodai Senga getting hurt, Quintana turned in 170 1/3 innings this year with an incredible second-half hot streak. In fact, Quintana has pitched very well in each of his last three seasons. But I just can't get behind the Cubs bringing him back.

Quintana will be turning 36 next year, but he could warrant a sizable deal given he doesn't rely on velocity and he rarely gets hurt. But the money the Cubs would invest in this deal could be better spent on an ace-level starter to slot in alongside Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga. Quintana's run with the Cubs was anything but that. He seemed uncomfortable on the North Side and never pitched to the higher standard he did before and after his Cubs tenure.

Not to mention the bad taste that the trade to get Quintana leaves due to Dylan Cease's emergence as an ace. This is in no way Quintana's fault and I think he is a solid pitcher. He just doesn't jive with the Cubs and it's probably better for everyone if he doesn't return. If the Mets continue their unlikely postseason run, there's a good chance he goes back to New York anyway.

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1. 1B Paul Goldschmidt

2. RHP Walker Buehler

3. LHP Jose Quintana

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