Under-the-radar Orioles slugger could be the power bat the Cubs desperately need

What if I told you there was a player who's averaged 33 home runs, 28 doubles and a 125 OPS+ over the last three years who will hit free agency this offseason? What if I told you he could probably be signed this winter for around $100 million - a price tag that should be a palatable sum for a team like the Chicago Cubs?

Set to turn 30 in October, Anthony Santander has been overshadowed in Baltimore of late as the Orioles' never-ending pipeline of impressive young prospects took center stage. But he's quietly been one of the team's most potent offensive weapons and could address a major need for the Cubs: a proven power bat.

A first-time All-Star this season, Santander should easily eclipse 40 home runs for the first time. There's nobody on the Cubs who is putting up those types of power numbers. In fact, Santander's .528 slugging percentage looms large over Chicago's team leader (Seiya Suzuki at .462). Slotting him into the middle of the lineup would transform this lineup and inject badly-needed power into the mix.

Anthony Santander could be a huge add for the Cubs in free agency

Known as a great clubhouse guy in Baltimore, Santander has primarily been a corner outfielder during his career, also getting limited reps at first base last year. That's where the fit is less than ideal, especially if Cody Bellinger opts into the second year of his contract. If Bellinger returns, it almost certainly rules out a serious pursuit of Santander simply because of the logistics of finding regular playing time.

Both Suzuki and Ian Happ have no-trade protection and top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't going anywhere. With Bellinger in the mix, that gives Craig Counsell four legitimate options in the outfield - with the odd man out often slotting into the DH role. Michael Busch has established himself as a quality option at first base for years to come, which removes the possibility of Bellinger sliding there full-time.

There are a lot of moving parts that will determine the Cubs' path forward through a critical offseason. But Santander checks many boxes - namely his being a switch-hitting power hitter - and is assuredly a name to watch this winter.