dreadpirateroberts
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#MLBFrontOffice: What's next for the Cubs?
Jim Bowden, ESPN Insider
If you count the playoffs, the Chicago Cubs had a 2015 record of 101-70. Now that's a pretty good season, especially for a team that wasn't supposed to fully break out until 2016. They arrived a year ahead of schedule and have sent a message to the baseball world that their run of excellence has begun. It's going to be a fun next three to five years at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs have a number of young players established at their respective positions already, but they have a few spots to address this offseason, as well as some other business to handle. The Cubs have come a long way, but their rebuild isn't complete just yet. This is an important offseason for them, and the rest of baseball will be watching to see what they do.
Potential free agents: Dexter Fowler, Jason Motte, Dan Haren, Chris Denorfia, Tommy Hunter, Fernando Rodney, Austin Jackson, Clayton Richard, Trevor Cahill
Objective No. 1: Figure out what to do in center field
Dexter Fowler did an excellent job for the Cubs this year in the field, at the plate and on the basepaths, and the Cubs would like to get him back. But if they can't agree on a new contract, there will be free-agent options available, including Denard Span, as well as players who can be had in a trade, such as Jacoby Ellsbury (if they're willing to pay most of his remaining salary) and Brett Gardner of the Yankees, Joc Pederson of the Dodgers and Marcell Ozuna of the Marlins.
They do have a center field prospect in Albert Almora, but it'll be at least a year or two before he's big league-ready. The team will need a stopgap until then, and Fowler really is the best solution. The Cubs won't break the bank to re-sign him, but I believe they'll make every effort to bring him back.
Objective No. 2: Sign an impact starting pitcher via free agency
Whether it's a staff ace or a middle-of-a-rotation type, the Cubs will be at least a starter short with Dan Haren expected to retire. Look for them to go big at first, trying to sign a top starter like David Price (who played for Cubs manager Joe Maddon in Tampa), Jordan Zimmermann (who is from nearby Wisconsin) or Zack Greinke if he opts out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cubs have done an excellent job acquiring talent while holding on to their top prospects, and their plan is to continue to do so here rather than trade someone to fill this void. The Cubs will be able to afford this time of heavy spending because, thanks to their long-term planning, they have so many non-arbitration-eligible players under control for the next several years.
Objective No. 3: Extend the contracts of front-office execs Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer
The rebuilding efforts of team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer were on full display this season, a year ahead of schedule. They've already proved their long-term plan works. Now it's time to pay them like the top MLB execs they are.
Objective No. 4: Improve the bullpen
The Cubs could potentially lose several bullpen arms -- Fernando Rodney, Clayton Richard, Tommy Hunter, Jason Motte and Trevor Cahill -- so it's looking likely that this unit will need a rebuild. Hector Rondon is an impact closer, but the Cubs need to fill in the innings in front of him. They could look at impending free agents such as Tyler Clippard and Darren O'Day, but they should try to trade for younger options they can keep long-term. The Cubs should be contenders at least the next 3-5 years, and it's important for them to cover that span instead of piecing together a bullpen year by year.
Objective No. 5: Upgrade the back end of the rotation
With the NL Central being so competitive, the Cubs must give themselves as good a chance as possible to win day in and day out, and that means having a deep rotation. Once again, they could go the free-agent route here, looking at players like Mike Leake, Wei-Yin Chen or J.A. Happ. If they wanted to consider a trade, three names they could consider are Joe Ross of the Nationals, Jake Odorizzi of the Rays and Wade Miley of the Red Sox.
Objective No. 6: Determine where everyone is going to play
Does Kris Bryant play third base, right field or left field? Does Starlin Castro lock in at second base, or should the team consider trading him for starting pitching? Where will Javier Baez play? What about Kyle Schwarber?
Chicago is in an enviable spot right now, loaded with young talent. Now it's just a matter of sorting it all out -- something the Cubs should do well before their players show for spring training.
Well, I was surprised to see him put Pederson and Ozuna as potential trade options. Very unlikely they are traded though.