Ranking the top three Chicago Cubs free agent targets of the offseason to sign.
Chicago Cubs fans have been waiting for the 2022 season to come to a close. The season was never meant to end in glory. The offseason, with a chance to better the roster, will provide much more excitement.
The last year or so for Cubs fans has been tough. Many fan favorites have disappeared from the picture. However, there’s still a chance of the team keeping players like Ian Happ and even Willson Contreras. Aside from those two, we could even see someone like Anthony Rizzo enter the picture once again.
However, there are even bigger free agent targets for them to consider as additions. These three are the most important for them to add, and in order of how badly the front office needs to bring them to Chicago.
3) Cubs free agent target Carlos Rodon is an important piece to add to the rotation
Why should Cubs fans like the idea of signing Carlos Rodon? It’s not just about sticking it to the Chicago White Sox.
Rodon fits better with the Cubs than maybe any other top-tier free-agent starting pitcher available this offseason. He turns 30 this December which puts him at an age where the Cubs don’t have to necessarily win with him on the roster in 2023—something they’re unlikely to do anyway.
Rodon is the kind of pitcher who could command a five or maybe even six-year contract. The Cubs, who could use some more stability in their rotation and arms in their peak, need to look at Rodon hard this offseason.
While some ball clubs will look to pay Jacob deGrom or Justin Verlander a fortune to hang around for a shorter period of time, the Cubs should have the future in mind. Rodon has gone 27-13 with a 2.67 ERA in his last 55 big league starts stretching from 2021-2022. His best days could still be in the future.
The Cubs, in their process of building a better ball club, should stick with players who are more likely to be an ace in three years. This takes out deGrom and Verlander and puts focus and probably the third-best starter out there: Carlos Rodon.