The Chicago Cubs have a few interesting decisions to make this offseason, with a few free agents to re-sign and few free agents to let go.
The Chicago Cubs are in for one of the most interesting offseasons in the entire MLB. They have a few crucial pending free agents and then some players that have player or mutual options that could need to be resigned.
But, from a team standpoint, the organization has decisions to make. They have some pending free agents that it’s crucial they resign and some free agents that they would be better off letting walk. Two of their free agents include their first- and second-string catchers, Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart. What should Chicago do?
Cubs free agent to re-sign for 2024, No. 1: Jeimer Candelario, INF
Besides the two biggest potential free agents, Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman who are both on options, the most important free agent for the Cubs to try to re-sign is Jeimer Candelario. Candelario was acquired at the trade deadline from the Nationals and has found a home in the Cubs infield. And he’s been tremendously successful in that role so far. His added value to the Cubs have been immense.
At this point, Candelario is slashing .409/.469/.591 in 12 games for the Cubs, with an OPS+ of 183. Six of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases with the Cubs. With that kind of value, Chicago needs to make it their top priority to resign to 29-year-old infielder, even if it costs them upwards of $15 million per year. It’s hard to put a value on Candelario’s ability to hit as well as his defensive versatility.
With the Cubs likely being forced to spend a ton of money on Bellinger and Stroman already, they will need to make Candelario their third priority and offer him the contract he deserves in order to return his services to the Windy City next season. He could be a huge piece in pushing the Cubs towards another World Series.
Cubs free agent to let walk for 2024, No. 1: Michael Fulmer, RP
One of the most important aspects of a winning team is a lock down bullpen. So far in 2023, Michael Fulmer is one of the Cubs’ most-utilized relievers, and this can’t happen for a team that wants to win the World Series. His season hasn’t been impressive enough to be considered a lock down, back of the bullpen reliever in a competitive team.
On the year, Fulmer has been given 52.1 innings and has seen his fair share of issues. He’s walking over four batters per nine innings and has a WHIP near 1.30. Fulmer has an ERA near the league average, sitting over 4.00, where the Cubs could really use a younger reliever that has a bit better than league average in the ERA department.
At a price tag of $4 million this season, it would likely cost the Cubs upwards of $7 million or $8 million dollars to bring him back. This would be out of the price range for the Cubs in terms of a player of his caliber. Chicago could likely go out into free agency or their farm system and get a reliever that would be better for them for cheaper.
Cubs free agent to re-sign for 2024, No. 2: Yan Gomes, C
Every MLB team dreams of having a catcher that is also a big-time leader and a capable bat in their lineup. This is exactly what Chicago has gotten this season with the 35-year-old Yan Gomes. On the year, Gomes has been the best Cubs catcher by a landslide. Offensively, he’s slashing .267/.308/.430 with 13 doubles and 9 home runs. He has the real chance to hit double digit home runs and 20 doubles from the catchers position. Gomes also ranks sixth on the Cubs in RBIs.
A consistent catcher like this doesn’t come around often and the Cubs need to lock theirs down on a one- or two-year deal to hold some consistency for the next few years at the hardest position to replace. Chicago is going to have an expensive free agency already, having to sign back Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman among others, so having a cheap catching option like Gomes would be ideal. Stroman could make this easier by opting into his option, but that’s still up in the air.
Yan Gomes should be, and likely will be one of the top priorities for the front office in the coming offseason. Re-signing him will be a good indicator on where their team could end up in 2024.
Cubs free agent to let walk for 2024, No. 2: Tucker Barnhart, C
Tucker Barnhart has been quite underwhelming for Chicago this year. He was brought in to be a solid defensive back up catcher with a decent bat, but Barnhart hasn’t exactly been a usable option in the Cubs lineup, leaving them handcuffed without him on the field most of the time. On the season, Barnhart is slashing a lowly .206/.289/.262, which is good for an OPS+ of 50.
Barnhart hasn’t been great offensively, but he also hasn’t been a standout for the pitchers. In fact, per Baseball Reference, the Cubs pitching staff has a much better ERA with Yan Gome and Miguel Amaya behind the dish compared to when they go with Barnhart. Batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage are all the highest with Barnhart behind the dish as well. This kind of pitch calling downgrade is significant, especially when his bat is almost unplayable in itself.
Parting ways with Tucker Barnhart would be the front office biting the bullet and owning their mistake of signing him. Barnhart will likely accept his player option, but it may be in Chicago’s best intention to buy him out if he does so. He’s been a negative asset to the team, worth a negative WAR, and he will likely continue to regress next season.