The Chicago Cubs have done exceptionally well this offseason, by improving their roster to hopefully be a playoff-caliber team this season.
The Cubs have made amazing acquisitions, by adding thump to their lineup with Kyle Tucker and getting a lockdown closer in Ryan Pressly to fill those needs.
The Cubs could still use another arm in the bullpen as well as another starter at the top of the rotation to pair with Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele.
The Chicago Cubs need another starter
The Cubs could use another top-of-the-line starter to either put as their number two behind Imanaga or go and get a true Ace to lead the rotation. They really could use the latter with Imanaga and Steele proving to be a solid number two and three options for the rotation.
Having a true Ace to lead the Cubs and be the “stopper” when going through a skid would solidify the Cub’s roster going into the season. The Cubs have been linked in recent reports to two of the top pitchers on the trade market Dylan Cease and
Michael King of the San Diego Padres. Both would provide a boost to the Cubs rotation with Cease being a true Ace and King being a solid number two.
One more arm for the bullpen
The Cubs could also add one more arm to the bullpen possibly with them looking to add another lefty. Currently as projected by FanGraphs Caleb Thielbar is the only lefty projected to make the Opening Day roster. On their 40-man roster the only other lefties the Cubs have as internal options are Luke Little, possibly Jordan Wicks, and Rob Zastryzny.
There are still a few solid left-handers on the free agency market like Danny Coulombe who would be the best option for the Cubs to sign. Coulombe had a solid season for the Baltimore Orioles pitching in 33 games (29.2 innings) with a 1-0 record with a 2.12 ERA and 32 strikeouts. Coulombe is a proven backend of the bullpen option and could be used in the 6th, 7th, or 8th innings if needed. Having Coulombe would give manager Craig Counsell another solid option in case one of the Cubs ‘ headed monsters isn’t ready to go on a given night.
Adding either would cap the offseason
Adding either a starter or another veteran reliever would cap what has been a perfect offseason for the Cubs. Cease seems like a pipe dream, with the asking price for him being reported to start at Matt Shaw and include others.
If that’s the case, then there’s no way the Cubs will do that deal with Shaw expected to be the Cubs starting third baseman for this season.
Either way, the Cubs could use one or the other as both the free agency and trade markets heating up. The Cubs should look to get a deal done soon before it’s too late and they lose out on more of their targets.
Chicago Cubs former promising third baseman signs with the New York Mets
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