One move each MLB Team should make this offseason

Chicago Cubs – Re-sign Dexter Fowler

Fowler has been a revelation in Chicago, posting an OPS north of .900 since the All-Star Break while appearing to realize his considerable potential. To be honest, there is some level of fear about Fowler’s second half being a fluke, but when you consider his immense talent and his age (30 to begin next season), it is reasonable to think he can sustain this for a handful of seasons.

More than anything, though, this is about the disastrous center field market in free agency. Names like Colby Rasmus and Austin Jackson are at or near the top of the list of available players, and even if Fowler levels off considerably, he is the best of the bunch. The Cubs are (again) printing money after what has been a splendid season, and Chicago can afford to give Fowler the slight overpay that he is undoubtedly seeking in order to keep their outfield situation set for 2016.

Chicago White Sox – Sign a veteran (David Freese, Juan Uribe) to plug the third base hole

Players like Matt Davidson and Tyler Saladino aren’t long-term answers for the White Sox at third base and, well, Mike Olt hasn’t proven to be very good at baseball in his time as an MLB player. That leaves Chicago with something of a gaping hole at the hot corner, even as the rest of the roster begins to fall in place on paper.

There are some points for concern, including whether Alexei Ramirez will return for another season at shortstop and how the White Sox should proceed with some of their young pitching, but third base is their biggest issue for 2016. Signing a stop-gap option like Freese or Uribe won’t move the needle in any way, shape or form, but White Sox management likely believes that their outfield (Adam Eaton, Avisail Garcia, Melky Cabrera) will improve next season. That means that Chicago needs only adequate production from third base, and the safest way to project that is by signing a veteran at reasonable cost.

Next: Reds and Indians