Cubs: 3 free agents to sign and 1 to avoid

Sep 24, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom (16) celebrates with first baseman Frank Schwindel (18) after hitting a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of game 2 of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nick Castellanos. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

Cubs free agent to target: Nick Castellanos, OF/DH

Now we’re about to make a big splash in the Windy City.

While Chicago has to be excited about the future of Patrick Wisdom and pleased with what Frank Schwindel brings to the table, the fact of the matter is that, for this team to compete moving forward, they need to make a splash in the batter’s box. That could be done quite easily if they pony up the dough for Nick Castellanos.

Ideally, the new MLB CBA will make the DH universal, which would then create an ideal slot for Castellanos on the Cubs roster. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is not known for his prowess with the leather but he’s coming off a 34-home run, 100-RBI season in which he hit .309 with a .939 OPS. Simply put, the guy can rake and is familiar doing so in the NL Central.

But even if the DH doesn’t make its way to the National League in the 2022 season, Chicago would still be a sensible fit for Castellanos. He’s the big bat and free agency splash that they need to make this offseason.

Plus, it’s always sweet whenever a club can twist the knife in a division rival in free agency, which is what the Cubbies could do the Reds in this instance.

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