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Top 5 potential landing spots for Jordan Zimmermann

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 9, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated against the Atlanta Braves 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated against the Atlanta Braves 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon (70) comes out to relieve relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (57) in the seventh inning against St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are very likely going to add another front-line starting pitcher before the start of next season in an effort to push their young team over the top. While many see Chicago as the leader in the Price sweepstakes, Zimmermann would be a logical secondary target for the Cubs to fall back on.

Chicago may not necessarily need another top starting pitcher to make the 2016 postseason or even reach the World Series. Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester are about as good of a 1-2 punch as any team could ask for, while Kyle Hendricks and Jason Hammel did well enough to hold down the middle in 2015.

However, there’s no denying Zimmermann would make the Cubs a better team overall, even if he’s not coming into a position of weakness. Adding Zimmermann would allow Chicago to stop the revolving door of back-end starters while also giving it a better No. 3 option for the postseason.

With tons of young talent around the diamond, Theo Epstein and company know the time to win is now. The Cubs have shown a willingness to increase payroll over the past couple of seasons and will be able to afford the $150 million that Zimmermann is going to command, even with some other large contracts on the budget.

Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports that there is “some level” of mutual interest between Zimmerman and the Cubs, making Chicago one of the more likely landing spots. If Price ends up elsewhere, expect the Cubs to be heavily in on Zimmermann.

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