Cubs: 3 free agents Chicago should avoid

The Chicago Cubs need to spend their money wisely in free agency.

Whenever a big team like the Chicago Cubs shakes up the front office, as they did by replacing the outgoing Theo Epstein with Jed Hoyer, there is a tendency to spend big in free agency to announce themselves as championship contenders.

While the Cubs should certainly look to upgrade this team in free agency, they can’t be completely haphazard in their spending, and they should avoid these three potential additions.

The Cubs can’t extend offers to these three questions marks in free agency

In his prime, Gordon was one of the best leadoff men in the game, as his blinding speed and batting title-tinning ability to make solid contact helped make him a threat in the box and on the basepaths. Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star is starting to see his quality decline with age. After leading the league in steals three times in a four-year span, Gordon has just 55 over the last three seasons, and his speed will likely continue to get less blistering with each passing season.

Defensive versatility and an ability to put the ball in play are both worthwhile traits, but the Cubs shouldn’t view him as an everyday second baseman that can come in and replace Jason Kipnis. A .266 average over his three years in Seattle isn’t enough for him to warrant a starting spot on a contending team next year. Gordon’s electricity isn’t as high-voltage as it was during his days with the Dodgers and Marlins, and while he may be a dynamite presence in the clubhouse, Hoyer needs to stay away from him unless he signs a cheaper deal to become a veteran utility player off the bench.