3 Cubs starters who could be replaced by major free agent signing

3) Cubs can replace Christopher Morel or whoever is in center field today with a big free agent

Center fielders are easy to find. The hard part is finding someone competent both at the plate and in the field.

The Cubs have used Rafael Ortega at the position most this year with Christopher Morel having the second most appearances. Ortega is definitely a short-term player for the club while Morel could be a potential starting center fielder or versatile utility man. If Chicago is looking for something more permanent at the position, there’s only one free agent center fielder to even consider.

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo has turned himself into a Gold Glove-caliber fielder at the position. Once believed to be a corner guy who some thought was a fourth outfielder at best, his growth at the plate has made him one of the best at the position. He’s not Mike Trout but he’s a major upgrade over anything the Cubs could have next year.

There is one kink in this problem. Former Mets prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong could be a center fielder to look at in the future. While not expected to make his major league debut next year, the kind of contract Nimmo is looking for would possibly create a logjam. The easiest way to correct it would be to move Nimmo to one of the corner spots where, like most veterans, he’d probably perform better at anyway. Problem solved!