Chicago Cubs rumors: Unlikely to sign big name pitcher
By Bryan Rose
The Chicago Cubs have one of the deepest and most talented minor league systems in baseball, at least from an offensive standpoint.
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We’ve already seen a handful of the uber-talented prospects like Jorge Soler and Javier Baez make their MLB debut and there is more to come (Kris Bryant, etc). Sadly, what the Chicago Cubs lack is depth at pitching. Their Major League crop is nothing short of embarrassing and while there are a few bright names on the farm, it’s not enough to help the Cubs turn the corner.
Given that, many expected Theo Epstein and company to make a massive splash in free agency and sign one or possibly even two big name starters like Jon Lester and James Shields. However, Peter Gammons doesn’t believe such will happen and the Cubs will allow their young players to mature before plunking down major coin on a All-Star pitcher.
"So the question has been: since this next draft will likely be the last time their pick is protected, will the Cubs spring for a big free agent starter? Right now, the answer seems to be no, on Jon Lester, James Shields or Max Scherzer. Instead, they are more likely to spend 2015 developing all their young position players, then after the season, enter the market for David Price, the return of Jeff Samardzija, or Rick Porcello."
The thinking here is that the youthful Chicago Cubs will still need another season of maturing and understandably there’s no reason to pay an elite pitcher for what will essentially be another sub-par season in the Windy City.