Chicago Cubs Rumors: 3 under the radar FAs to target

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The Chicago Cubs are expected to have an active offseason as the team has the goal of spending intelligently in order to return to contention in 2023 but thus far, there has been little action as Major League Baseball teams continue to wait for the free agent market to set. The Cubs have been swimming in the deep end of free agency this offseason as they have been connected to each of the top four free-agent shortstops, several free-agent first basemen including Jose Abreu, free-agent centerfielder Cody Bellinger, and several free-agent starting pitching options including Japanese starting pitcher Kodai Senga.

An interesting name surfaced on the Cubs' rumor mill on Friday as the team was linked to free agent outfielder Michael Conforto. Considering the other names that the Cubs have been connected to, targeting Conforto would be more of an under-the-radar move as the former New York Mets' outfielder missed all of the 2022 season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

To that end, there are several under-the-radar free agents that the Cubs may target this offseason.

3 under the radar FAs for the Cubs to target: No. 3 Brandon Drury

The Cubs are no stranger to free agent utility man Brandon Drury as he began the season with the Cincinnati Reds. Drury was traded by the Reds to the San Diego Padres at the 2022 Major League Baseball trade deadline. In 568 plate appearances between his time with the Reds and Padres, posted a 123 wRC+ while having a slash line of .263/.320/.492/.813 along with a career-high 28 home runs.

Over the course of his career, Dury has played every infield position outside of catcher but has seen a bulk of his playing time at either second or third base. Those could be two positions of need for the Cubs depending on whether or not they are able to land one of the available shortstops this offseason.

Kansas City Royals v Detroit Tigers / Duane Burleson/GettyImages

3 under the radar FAs for the Cubs to target: No. 2 Andrew Chafin

If the Cubs are planning on contending in 2023, the team will have to address their needs in the bullpen. Keegan Thompson likely slots into the Cubs' bullpen as a multi-inning reliever and ditto for Adbert Alzolay who impressed in that role upon his return to the Major League team at the end of the 2022 season. Brandon Hughes emerged as a back-of-the-bullpen arm for the Cubs in 2022 as he posted a 3.12 ERA in his rookie season but his FIP of 4.64 indicates that there may have been some luck involved. Rowan Wick also proved to be inconsistent as the team's closer once he was afforded the opportunity after the Cubs' traded David Robertson to the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline.

A contending team can never have enough late-inning relievers and that would be why the Cubs need to take a look at Andrew Chafin. After finding success with the Cubs in 2020 and 2021, Chafin continued that success with the Detroit Tigers in 2022. Chafin posted a 2.83 ERA (3.06 FIP) in 64 appearances with the Tigers last season. Now a free agent, Chafin would provide the Cubs with another left-handed arm in the bullpen that the team could turn to in late innings.

Championship Series - San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies - Game Four / Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/GettyImages

3 under the radar FAs for the Cubs to target: No. 1 Mike Clevinger

Gone from the Cubs' projected starting rotation in 2023 are veterans Drew Smyly and Wade Miley as both became free agents this offseason. The Cubs are interested in re-signing Smyly this offseason but on paper, the Cubs' starting rotation for 2023 includes Marcus Stroman, Justin Steele, and Kyle Hendricks. It remains to be seen whether or not the Cubs want Hayden Wesneski to start the 2023 season at the Major League level but his 2.18 ERA in 6 appearances (4 starts) at the Major League level with the team at the end of the season would seem to indicate that he should remain. At the bare minimum, the Cubs have to add at least one starting pitcher to their rotation this offseason and it needs to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.

The Cubs are not shopping at the top of the free agent starting pitcher list as the team is not believed to be in play for the likes of Carlos Rodon, Justin Verlander, or Jacob deGrom. The Cubs are shopping at the tier below those free agents and Kodai Senga appears to be the name they have circled. If the Cubs are unable to sign Senga, one name to pivot to should be Mike Clevinger.

Next. The Twins have submitted multiple offers to Carlos Correa . dark

After proving to be a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians in the four years prior to 2022, Clevinger struggled with the Padres last season. Clevinger posted a 4.33 ERA (4.98 FIP) in a tick over 114 innings pitched with the Padres in 2022. Even more concerning is the 5.46 ERA that Clevinger had in away games last season. Reuniting with Cubs' general manager Carter Hawkins and benefiting from the team's pitching infrastructure may restore Clevinger's value as a top-end starting pitcher in Major League Baseball.

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3 under the radar FAs for the Cubs to target: No. 3 Brandon Drury

3 under the radar FAs for the Cubs to target: No. 2 Andrew Chafin

3 under the radar FAs for the Cubs to target: No. 1 Mike Clevinger

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