5 recent non-tenders who are perfect fits for the Cubs

This week's non-tender deadline could, at least in theory, jump start an offseason that's been relatively quiet to this points. The Cubs non-tendered outfielder Rafael Ortega, left-handed pitching prospect Brailyn Marquez and right-hander Alexander Vizcaino, who came over in the Anthony Rizzo trade with the Yankees

Of those moves, the Marquez non-tender was easily the most surprising given he was once regarded as one of the organization's top pitching prospects. Now, though, there are new names on the free agent market - and these five guys could all fit in nicely on the North Side in 2023.

5 non-tenders who are perfect fits for the Cubs: #5 - Jeimer Candelario

The first name on this list is one Cubs fans may well be familiar with in Jeimer Candelario, a former Chicago prospect who was traded to the Tigers back in 2017 in the deal that brought back Justin Wilson and Alex Avila.

Candelario struggled at the dish this year with Detroit, batting just .217/.272/.361 for a well-below average 83 OPS+ on the season. The switch-hitting corner infielder, who turns 30 later this month, will still likely fetch interest on the open market though considering he's one year removed from a league-leading 42 doubles in 2021.

Chicago's corner infield situation is very much in flux. Patrick Wisdom, at least for the time being, figures to see time at both third and first and prospect Matt Mervis will get a look at first, as well. The Cubs are in on several free agent first basemen, but should they fall short in those pursuits, a reunion with Candelario could shore up both spots on the diamond at a relatively low cost.

5 non-tenders who are perfect fits for the Cubs: #3 - Alex Reyes

Much the same as Brailyn Marquez was once heralded as a future force to be reckoned with, Alex Reyes was once viewed as the next in a long line of homegrown Cardinals pitchers ready to mow down opposing hitters. Now, his time in St. Louis is at an end after injuries derailed his once-promising career.

Season-ending shoulder surgery in May marked the end of the line for Reyes who, as recently as 2019, was a top 20 prospect in the game, according to Baseball America. Having just turned 28 in August, there's zero doubt that teams will give him a long look this winter, in hopes of getting him back on track at a relative bargain in 2023.

The checkered injury history is troubling, to be sure, but Reyes is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward option - and one a team looking to make some noise next year like the Cubs should be doing their homework on. Here's what MLBTR had to say in its write-up on his non-tender:

With that being said, his raw stuff still appears to be there, and despite all the injury problems his velocity has remained steadily in the upper-90s. Depending on his health, Reyes could make a very attractive reclamation project for any number of teams.

With experience both as a starter and a reliever, Reyes could fit nicely into a Cubs staff always looking to harness 'stuff' and help reclamation projects turn the corner. Get this guy into the organization's pitching infrastructure and let's see what happens.

5 non-tenders who are perfect fits for the Cubs: #2 - Dominic Smith

Two years ago during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, Dominic Smith put it all together at the dish. The former first-rounder was a force to be reckoned with, turning in a 168 OPS+ on the heels of a 2019 season in which he posted an .881 OPS in 89 games. But over the last two years, the first baseman's power has totally evaporated - ending his time with the Mets this week.

Smith's name was mentioned quite a bit in the days leading up to this summer's trade deadline, when the Cubs were reportedly discussing a deal with the Mets that would have sent both Willson Contreras and David Robertson to Queens. Of course, that never came to pass. Contreras spent the rest of the year running out the clock in Chicago and Robertson returned to the pennant-winning Phillies.

All told, it was a forgettable 2022 for Smith, who batted just .194 on the year and earned an early-season demotion to Triple-A Syracuse. He played 58 games with the big league club and 54 with Syracuse, where his bat was notably improved, evidenced by a .284/.367/.473 slash line.

The left-handed-hitting slugger won't turn 28 until next summer and, if the Cubs believe they can help him tap into that power stroke once again, could be a welcome addition at first base/DH, where Chicago lacks impact offensive talent. Again, the ideal path forward would be a Jose Abreu signing, but you have to have backup plans and Smith fits the bill nicely.

5 non-tenders who are perfect fits for the Cubs: #1 - Cody Bellinger

I don't care how awful Cody Bellinger has been the last few seasons - I really don't. We're talking about a former National League MVP with prodigious power from the left side who's capable of playing both first base and center field - two huge areas of need for the Cubs right now.

The Dodgers non-tendered Bellinger, which reportedly frees up the money for them to take a run at Aaron Judge this offseason, leaving the two-time All-Star in search of a new home for the first time in his career. Last season, the 27-year-old managed just a 78 OPS+ and over the course of the last two years, he ranked in the bottom third and six percent of the league, respectively, in xBA - not exactly an encouraging note.

Still, we know what this guy is capable of doing when he's on point - and despite his offensive struggles of late, he remains an elite defender, checking in at the 92nd percentile in outs above average last season.

Bellinger is going to have widespread interest on the open market and he's not just going to fall into the Cubs' laps. But his ceiling is too high and potential impact too great for Chicago to play it safe when it comes to this guy. Of all the non-tenders we saw this week, none have the potential to make a bigger impact than Cody Bellinger.