Cubs offseason predictions: 3 players Chicago should already be targeting

3) Cubs offseason predictions: Taijuan Walker is an opt-out candidate to pursue

The Cubs are going to need pitching next year. They may not need a whole lot of it. Several of their younger starters have had nice years in 2022. A third guy for the Cubs to target this offseason, also currently playing in his age 29 campaign but about to turn 30, is Taijuan Walker.

Walker is a lot different from the last free agent the Cubs signed from the Mets. He’s a little less proven than Stroman, but he’s also one of those guys who might just bloom a little later. He had a fantastic first half for the Mets in 2021 before having a horrific conclusion. Until a recent blowout loss against the Atlanta Braves, he was cruising along in 2022. He’s definitely someone the Cubs should keep an eye out for.

Because of their ages, Xander Bogaerts, Josh Bell, and Taijuan Walker could all be fits for the Cubs on four or five-year deals with maybe an opt out thrown in. They immediately make the team better. As long as they don’t spring after one year, it can give Chicago time to possibly develop another young player or two.

Despite being sellers for about the last two seasons, the Cubs did show they are ready to spend last offseason. They don’t have too many valuable assets to trade any longer. It’ll be free agency they will have to dip into if they want better results in 2023.