Let’s be honest, the Chicago Cubs still have holes on this roster, but with MLB in a lockout, teams can’t sign anyone at the moment. Before the lockout, General Manager Carter Hawkins did sign starting pitcher Marcus Stroman to a 3-year, $71M contract, catcher Yan Gomes to a 2-year, 13$M deal, while former Yankee outfielder Clint Frazier inked a 1-year deal. Hawkins went on to claim former Cincinnati Red starting pitcher Wade Miley off waivers.
With the new additions to the rotation, it should look like Kyle Hendricks, Stroman, Adbert Alzolay, Miley, Justin Steele, and Alec Mills would end up in the bullpen unless an injury happens, or if David Ross wants a 6-man rotation to start the year. The rotation can use one more arm to be a competitive team in the NL Central this year, some intriguing names out in free agency still.
Starting Pitching
Carlos Rodon
Carlos Rodon is the only intriguing name at the top of the free agency list that will put the Chicago Cubs at the top. He’s 29-years old, offer him and see if he’ll accept a 1-year deal to again prove himself. Rodon has an injury history, landed himself on the 60-day injured list three straight years 2018,2019, and 2020, which would lead to him only pitching in 31 games combined in three years, he also had Tommy John surgery in 2019. It’s a risk the Cubs should be willing to take.
Rodon started in 24 games in 2021, with a 13-5 record, notching a 2.37 era in 132.2 innings pitched, he ended up top-5 in AL Cy Young voting only behind Robbie Ray, Gerrit Cole, Lance Lynn, and Nathan Eovaldi. Sign this Man, Carter Hawkins.
Clayton Kershaw
If it isn’t Rodon, then Clayton Kershaw is the other guy that the Cubs should look to sign, yes I said Clayton Kershaw. He’s older than Rodon but has the playoff experience worth the risk. Kershaw only pitched in 22 games last year that ended up giving him a 3.55 era in 121.2 innings pitched, just offer him a 1-year deal, see if he accepts.
First Base / DH / OF
Outside of the starting rotation, the Cubs need a 1st baseman, and with the DH spot coming to the NL, there is one very familiar option…
Anthony Rizzo
Bring this man back to Chicago, Hawkins! Yes, the Cubs currently do have Frank Schwindel still on the roster, but now that DH is a thing, you know. 92 games in 2021 in Chicago, Rizzo was slashing .248/.346/.446/.792, his OPS+ was 112, he hit 14 home runs, 40 runs batted in, 376 plate appearances.
After the trade deadline, Rizzo was sent off to New York to play at Yankee Stadium, slashed .249/.340/.428/.768 with an OPS+ of 110, he hit 8 home runs, 21 runs batted in, 200 plate appearances.
Give this man a 3-year deal, make him retire a Cub, Bring this man back to Chicago!
Kris Bryant
Another former Cubs player that GM Hawkins needs to bring back, Cubs fans need Kris Bryant nukes at Wrigley Field back. Super utility, he can fill other needs as well, like outfield, and third base and Patrick Wisdom can play DH which leaves his bat still in the lineup.
Before getting traded away from the Cubs, Bryant slashed .267/.358/.503/.861 18 home runs, 51 runs batted in, had 374 plate appearances, and 87 hits. It seemed that the trade hurt Bryant because his numbers went down with the Giants, .262/.344/.444/.788 7 home runs, 22 runs batted in, 49 hits, with 212 plate appearances.
Lock him up for 5-years, the rest of his career, he deserves to be a Cub the rest of his career.
Now that the DH is in the NL, the Cubs need to find their DH if it isn’t already on the roster.
Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber could be a little expensive for the Cubs after the year he had and knowing he can play DH and would be a very valuable left-handed bat in the lineup. Cubs fans thought they’d resign him at the beginning of the 2021 season, but he ended up signing with the Nationals on a 1-year deal, and then ended up getting traded to the Boston Red Sox.
The slash line with the Nationals was .253/.340/.570/.910 25 home runs, 53 runs batted in, with 67 hits in 303 plate appearances, if you thought his stint with the Nationals was good, look at his numbers with the Red Sox in only 168 plate appearances, .291/.435/.522/.957 with 7 home runs, and 18 runs batted in.
The only two lefties in the Cubs lineup are Rafael Ortega, and Jason Heyward, Schwarber would be a huge upgrade in the lineup.
Jorge Soler
Jorge Soler is also another huge name for the Cubs who can play DH, just like Schwarber except he’s a righty who can hit home runs and hit them hard.
Soler left the Cubs after the 2016 world series run, and now has played for the Kansas City Royals, and was a part of the Atlanta Braves world series run last year. He had a really slow start to the season in 2021, slashing just .192/.288/.370/.658 in 360 plate appearances with 13 home runs, and 37 runs batted in. Turned it around after being traded to Atlanta, slashing .269/.358/.524/.882 with 14 home runs, and 33 runs batted in.
He ended up winning world series MVP with a slash line of .300/.391/.800/1.191 with 3 home runs, and 6 runs batted in, and had 23 plate appearances. He might be on the expensive side, but it’s worth it.
The Chicago Cubs still have holes on the roster, so who would you like to see them sign after the lockout?
