3 remaining free agents that the Cubs can still target

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Where do we go from here? With Shohei Ohtani off the board after landing a massive, record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team is left with more questions than answers. The Chicago Cubs have yet to make a significant splash in free agency, but all that figures to rapidly change in the coming days. Let's look at three free agents the team can still target to make this a successful offseason.

3 free agents to target - 3. Josh Hader

With long ties to new manager Craig Counsell, elite reliever Josh Hader makes sense as a fit for the Cubs this winter. He will cost a pretty penny, but he is worth it with how much confidence he provides that a game will be closed out when he steps onto the mound. Gone can be the days when the Cubs had a closer by committee. A one-two punch of Adbert Alzolay and Hader is one of the more formidable pairs in MLB.

Hader's resume speaks for itself. A five-time All-Star with a career 2.50 ERA over seven years, along with an incredible 1.28 ERA and 33 saves this season, puts Hader among the best in the game when it comes to slamming the door. 2023 was the second time he finished with an ERA in the 1.00s in three years. If the Cubs are willing to go over the first luxury tax tier, they can afford him while still addressing the rest of their needs this offseason.

3 free agents to target - 2. Blake Snell

Blake Snell is fresh off his second Cy Young award and is a hot commodity for any big market club this winter. In 2023, he finished with a league-leading 2.25 ERA over 180 IP and 234 Ks. Snell will also command a hefty price, but his 3.02 ERA since 2018 makes him a safe bet in the starting rotation. Entering his age 31 season, he should still have enough life on his arm to be a viable member of any team making a push moving forward.

Of course, the Cubs are looking at trading Tampa Bay for ace Tyler Glasnow. However, multiple teams are in on him, and the Cubs must be ready to pivot on every plan they have. One year of Tyler Glasnow saves you money moving forward, but his injury history is concerning. Realistically, the Cubs need two top-of-the-line starters to pair with Justin Steele to be considered serious contenders, and targetting Snell, regardless of the Glasnow move, who again would be off the books a year later, is a great way to get a step ahead for next years free agency.

3 free agents to target - 1. Cody Bellinger

Above all else, the Cubs must now prioritize Cody Bellinger this winter. We've mentioned several reasons already, including how the stars may be aligning for a reunion with the Cubs on a long-term deal. Given that Juan Soto is a Yankee and Ohtani is a Dodger, the Bellinger sweepstakes should boil down to the Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays. With Bellinger being the best bat on the market and having the ability to play center field and first base, he checks too many boxes for the Cubs for Jed Hoyer not to be willing to overpay if necessary.

Bellinger's asking price of 250.0M+ is unrealistic, but seeing his price tag approach and even surpass $200MM in this market is becoming more and more realistic. The Cubs need to be flexible here, as Bellinger will be looking for more years rather than a short-term high AAV deal. It's time for Hoyer to push past his comfort level. Last year, we were pleasantly surprised with the seven years given to Dansby Swanson. Given Bellinger's ceiling, Hoyer must go further to land his guy. Without him, the team would find it nearly impossible to improve offensively without some unforeseen blockbuster trade. This must be priority #1.

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