Fansided

One offseason move each MLB team needs to make

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 23: Wade Davis #71 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – SEPTEMBER 23: Wade Davis #71 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 23, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Keep Wade Davis

The Cubs will be looking for a closer again this winter after Aroldis Chapman walked after the World Series last year. Theo Epstein was hesitant to pony up the big contract for Chapman, but he won’t have a choice this time with All-Star Wade Davis going out onto the open market for the first time. The Cubs just do not have an in-house replacement.

Davis will be 32 all of next season, and already had arm issues in the second half of the 2016 season. Epstein and the Cubs front office will have to pick their poison. They can gamble on a closer entering his mid-30s or enter 2017 without an established closer. There are no other great options in this winter’s class of free agency, and Carl Edwards is not ready to take over in the ninth inning.

As his career has progressed, Davis has changed as a pitcher. He is no longer impossible to homer against, actually giving up six this season. Davis did strike out 12.1 per nine in 2017, which was his best mark since 2014.

The Kansas City Royals rode Davis very aggressively in their two runs to the World Series. There are a lot of appearances and innings on his arm and very little data available on how well converted starters hold up into their 30s. How this postseason plays out could be the deciding factor on whether or not the Cubs are willing to make Davis an offer for a four or five-year contract this winter.

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