Article: 3 Free Agents the Cubs Could Target, Beyond the Big Names

[Matthew Trueblood]

There's little the Cubs can do to force the hand of Scott Boras, so another week might drift by as we all fret the decisions of his top-tier clients. Jed Hoyer and company could add a few low-level pieces while they wait, though.

Image courtesy of © Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs have a mild roster crunch, but they're not short on money to spend. While the likes of Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman ponder their choices, Chicago could decide to plug a few smaller holes (or reinforce a few sag points) and bolster the clubhouse.

Eddie Rosario, OF
Everyone's assumption has been that Jed Hoyer's comments last month about the team's focus on adding bats who can handle right-handed pitchers were merely coded references to Bellinger. For a moment, though, let's take him at his word--firstly, by taking seriously the 's' at the end of 'bats' in his remark. If the team would like to add another batter who hits righties even on top of Bellinger (or Chapman), Rosario is the kind of under-the-radar name who might fit.

In 2023, the free-swinging outfielder hit .258/.305/.457 against northpaws. That was with Atlanta, and whatever they had going on, it's probably not terribly wise to assume it will come with him to a new destination. Rosario is an underrated and established hitter, though. Go all the way back to 2019, and his line against righties is pretty much the same: .255/.298/.467. You have to protect him from lefties, and he's not a plus in the field, but nor is he unplayable in the corner spots. 

At 32 and with a good personality to inject into a clubhouse, Rosario has a bunch of value as a complementary player on a low-dollar, one-year deal. If the Cubs could be more confident that Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to man center field all year, they could more easily move on from Mike Tauchman. As it is, they need him as a contributor, and it's a bit tough to fit both him and Rosario on the roster. In all likelihood, Rosario would take the spot of one of Miles Mastrobuoni, Nick Madrigal, or Patrick Wisdom. Thus, in a sense, this is most plausible if the team signs Chapman, rather than Bellinger. In either case, though, he could have tactical value. Keeping Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki fresh will be important in 2024, and shielding Christopher Morel from righties against whom he matches up badly is imperative.

Brandon Crawford
You'd sign Rosario partially for the vibes, but partially, too, for the juice in his bat. You'd sign Crawford mostly for the vibes, because he's one of the more respected players in baseball, but you'd also sign him for his glove. This would be a much simpler substitution, roster-wise: signing Crawford would come at the direct expense of Mastrobuoni. He'd become the backup middle infielder, an occasional third baseman against right-handed starters, and a late-game defensive sub, as well as a leader who would mesh gorgeously into an intense, winning-focused clubhouse.

Crawford is at an age where retirement is an inevitable talking point, and his offensive numbers the last two years have only forced that conversation to get louder. However, teams have shown some interest this winter, and Crawford is reportedly open to moving to second or third base. To find a job just about anywhere in MLB, at this point, he'll need to be ok not only with changing positions, but with changing roles. If he does prefer that to retirement, though, the Cubs should stay on his agent's call sheet.

Jake Odorizzi
Though only 34 years old, Odorizzi was out of baseball last season. He's looking to make a comeback, though, and he's the type of short-outing starter (with the option to swing into relief work and be valuable there, too) with whom Craig Counsell has had great success in the past. His four-seamer no longer has quite the elite ride it once did, but Odorizzi learned to pitch with some wiggle later in his career, and his splitter remains a great weapon. 

It might not even take a guaranteed roster spot to lure Odorizzi, who's a Midwestern boy and very much enjoyed his stop in Minnesota a few years ago. On a minor-league deal that pays north of $2 million if he makes the roster, and/or one that gives him an opt-out in the middle of March should he not find a clear path to the big leagues with the Cubs before then, he could make a lot of sense for the Cubs. Hoyer and Carter Hawkins have admirably addressed the overall pitching depth, but one more compelling name in the mix would boost everyone's confidence a bit.

What do you think of these three names? Can the Cubs keep shopping while they wait to hear more about their top targets? Who else would be on your list?

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[painhertz]

Don't need any of those guys.

[squally1313]

Jake Odorizzi as essentially a free flyer is fine. Can never have enough pitching. Rosario doesn't do much for me, Crawford I see the value but when you already have a Madrigal and a Mastro and a Hoerner and Morel/Madrigal/Mastro middle infield plan in case of a Swanson injury, there's probably not any room on the bench for him.

[Rcal10]

Not really iinterested in any of those guys. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

The problem is the Cubs have plenty of roster and minor league depth at basically every position except 3B, and even at 3B they already multiple (albeit not great) options.  These roster-filler/backup types don't really move the needle at all.  They need impact bats and/or pitching.  Spending money on bench guys just because there is money to spend isn't going to accomplish anything.

[CubinNY]

1 hour ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

The problem is the Cubs have plenty of roster and minor league depth at basically every position except 3B, and even at 3B they already multiple (albeit not great) options.  These roster-filler/backup types don't really move the needle at all.  They need impact bats and/or pitching.  Spending money on bench guys just because there is money to spend isn't going to accomplish anything.

better watch out, that's a BJ Murry signal type post from Tom