The Chicago Cubs look to add pitching for the 2015 MLB season
After trading pitching at this year’s trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs are in need of bolstering their rotation and they have shown interest publicly in adding a top-of-the-line starter.
The Cubs placed a waiver claim on Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels during the waiver trade period during the regular season. The Phillies were not interested in negotiating a trade at that time and pulled Hamels off waivers. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Cubs and Phillies have engaged in talks that would send Hamels to the Cubs.
With Joe Maddon becoming the new manager on Monday, the Cubs have become an attractive option for free agents. With a free agent class that headlines starting pitchers such as Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields, it is likely that the Cubs will make a splash signing this offseason.
Since September there have been articles saying Jon Lester signing with the Cubs makes sense. Lester will be one of the most sought-after players this offseason as the top left-handed pitcher on the market. Lester sports a 116-67 lifetime record and a 3.58 earned run average. He has also dominated the playoffs with a 6-4 record and a 2.57 ERA.
Lester is coming off of his most successful season posting a 2.46 ERA with Boston and Oakland combined in 2014. Lester is a proven leader and a great clubhouse guy. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein has worked with Lester previously with the Red Sox before Epstein joined the Cubs. Lester will be highly pursued by all organizations due to his proven track record and the Cubs have an inside edge with Epstein in the front office.
Max Scherzer is expected to hit the free agent market and get a big payout. Scherzer holds a career 91-50 record with a 3.58 ERA. He is known as a strikeout machine averaging 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings for his career and with three consecutive seasons of 10 strikeouts or more per game. In 10 postseason starts and 12 appearances, Scherzer has proved he can pitch in the postseason with a respectable 4-3 record and 3.73 ERA. The lone knock on Scherzer is that he has just one complete game in his seven-year career.
With teams like the Dodgers and Angels content with their rotations, not many teams are in play for Scherzer. Scherzer is looking for a large contract and the Cubs are one of the few teams that can afford the salary that he wants. This makes sense for the Cubs to make a strong push to sign Scherzer and solidify him as their ace.
James Shields made his second World Series appearance and it did not fair well. Shields has struggled in the postseason with the exception of the 2008 World Series run that the Rays made. Despite postseason struggles, Shields is a top pitcher on the market due to his success in the regular season. Shields has been consistently good since 2011 composing a 58-39 record with a 3.18 ERA in that span. Shields has 17 complete games in the past four seasons and deserves a sizable contract for his regular season consistency and dominance.
Shields will be looking for a big contract, but will get overpaid due to his lack of success in the postseason. More teams will be in play for Shields because he is a cheaper option than Scherzer, but the Cubs have a lot to work with. Shields could be a number two or three option on the Cubs pitching staff depending on who they sign or trade for to bolster their depleted rotation. Shields’ postseason experience would be beneficial to a young team in the locker room and on the mound.
After trading Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Oakland A’s for top prospects Addison Russell and Billy McKinney, amongst others, the Cubs were left with Jake Arrieta to lead the Cubs staff. With Arrieta coming back, the Cubs should also bring back Hammel. Hammel was having his best season in 2014 with the Cubs before the July 3rd trade. Through 17 starts, Hammel posted an 8-5 record with a 2.98 ERA and could have won more games with better run support. His best success in his career came in 2014 before the trade to Oakland and will likely earn Hammel a nice contract.
Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago believes signing Hammel to a three-year $30 million contract would be a bargain. Hammel is a third or fourth starter at best and could produce similar numbers as before the trade to Oakland if he remains in the National League. Hammel is expected be pursued by plethora of teams due to his success with the Cubs last season.
“Hammel is a fourth starter and could be a very good one for the team who signs him after free agency begins in early November.” -Bruce Levine
While the rotation is lacking, the Cubs bullpen could also use a facelift. Locking down a closer is also a top priority. Sergio Romo, Rafael Soriano and Casey Janssen are all potential targets in free agency this year. Romo and Soriano both have postseason experience and bring a veteran presence in the locker room. After trading lefty specialist James Russell, the Cubs could also target Andrew Miller who is a dominant left hander. Miller was a member with the Red Sox when Epstein was there and a move would make sense to bring Miller to the Cubs.
The Cubs have a bright future with talented prospects. With Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro in the middle of the lineup, the Cubs have a solid basis for success. Late in the season, talented prospects Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and Jorge Soler showcased their talents and proved to have potential to fit into the lineup. With the expectations of Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Albert Almora, the Cubs have a bright future surrounding their position players. The talented farm system could also be used to improve the Cubs pitching staff via trade.
MLB’s offseason always brings exciting moves and acquisitions, but none could be bigger than this offseason. The Cubs have financial flexibility and can make moves to impact the immediate future. For a club that has not seen the playoffs since 2008, a series of moves can push them closer to the postseason.
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