State of Chicago Cubs Heading into MLB Offseason

The Chicago Cubs took a major step forward in 2014. Not only by improving on the field but also by developing most of their major prospects to the point of getting called up at some point in 2015.

Excitement is in the air as even the ever-conservative team president Theo Epstein has said that the team can win the National League Central division next season. 

This may not seem like a significant quote since most presidents and general managers should believe their teams are capable of winning the division, but this actually might be the most significant statement Epstein has made about the team in his tenure with the team so far. He has continually asked fans for patience while they rebuilt, and now he's saying they can win the division. 

Without players stepping up in 2014 and prospects showing their promise in the minor leagues, he wouldn't have made that statement. Based on free agents the Cubs may be able to sign and how the current team looks, here is the team's outlook going into free agency.

Strengths/Weaknesses

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Strengths

Bullpen

Who would've thought we'd be talking about how solid the Cubs bullpen was after they majorly struggled in the early part of the year? Having young and live arms in the pen made a huge difference for the Cubs this season, and it should be a strength going forward. 

Hector Rondon showed that he's a legitimate closer option as he converted 29 saves while recording a stellar 2.42 ERA. He was joined by another pleasant surprise in Neil Ramirez (1.44 ERA), who gave the team a dependable seventh- and eighth-inning arm.

Joining those two in the back end of the bullpen are Pedro Strop, who has turned his career around since joining the Cubs in 2013, and flamethrower Arodys Vizcaino, who was a September call-up this year.

Strop had his best season as a pro this year, posting a 2.21 ERA over 61 innings as the primary setup man for the team, while Vizcaino throws a fastball that reaches triple digits and could give the Cubs the elite power arm they've been looking for.

Power Hitting

The Cubs were fifth in all of baseball in home runs this past season with 157. Take into account the fact that elite power-hitting prospects Javier Baez and Jorge Soler didn't spend much time in the majors this season, so those numbers are only going to go up. Additionally, baseball's top hitting prospect Kris Bryant will be joining the team at some point in 2015.

Add these guys on top of All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who was second in the National League with 32 home runs. Keep in mind that Rizzo missed several weeks of the season, so as he matures, he could become a 40-home run hitter. With Bryant, Baez and Soler in the mix, it's not out of the question to say the Cubs could have four players hitting 25 or more home runs annually.

Weaknesses 

Patience at the Plate

Even though the Cubs lineup looks promising going forward, most of their players have to see more pitches every at-bat. Calling up Soler, who's known for his stellar plate approach, was a solid first step. However, players like Starlin Castro, Arismendy Alcantara, Welington Castillo and Baez swing and miss far too often.

Experience

This is one weakness the Cubs can't really control. They have a promising young team, but not many of them have been successful at the major league level yet. There's an enormous amount of talent in this organization, but while the young guys are taking their lumps, not everything is going to go smoothly.

Lineup Outlook

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To start the season, the starting lineup could look like this: 

1. LF Chris Coghlan
2. SS Starlin Castro
3. 1B Anthony Rizzo
4. RF Jorge Soler
5. 2B Javier Baez
6. 3B Luis Valbuena
7. CF Arismendy Alcantara
8. C Welington Castillo

Add Kris Bryant to this mix, and the Cubs have a very promising lineup in 2015. It is filled with youth, and chances are the team will be extremely streaky. When they put it all together, they will be scary good. That will take some time, so the team could hover around .500 while everyone tries to figure it out. 

Another interesting thing to watch for is whether the Cubs go after a veteran catcher in the offseason. Castillo has been hurt and disappointing, and the front office may be getting fed up with it. Veteran Russell Martin is available, so the team may pursue that option.

Rotation Outlook

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The rotation is based on this season's performances and potential free agent additions. 

1. LHP Jon Lester
2. RHP Jake Arrieta
3. RHP Kyle Hendricks
4. LHP Travis Wood
5. RHP Jacob Turner

Obviously, this is largely based on the fact the Cubs will sign ace Jon Lester this offseason. The Cubs have to be viewed as the favorites to land him as they have the money, willingness to spend (indicated by their pursuit of Cole Hamels in August) and his connection to the Cubs front office from their shared days in Boston. 

Arrieta pitched like an ace this season and seems like a clear No. 2 if Lester is signed. Hendricks majorly impressed this season and could become a very good No. 3 in the rotation. Wood had a setback in 2014 but will likely be given another chance to prove himself.

Turner seems like the front-runner to land the No. 5 starter job, but it will be tightly contested. Pitchers like Tsuyoshi Wada, Felix Doubront and Zac Rosscup will also be in the mix.

Money to Spend

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This offseason is what Cubs fans have been awaiting for several years. The team is willing and able to spend money on key free agents. Epstein added the caveat that the team will only make signings that make financial sense, but that could still include adding an ace like Lester, James Shields or Max Scherzer. 

Any of those players would make the Cubs a dark-horse team in the National League. Their only big contracts (and even they aren't that big) are tied to Castro and Rizzo, the two cornerstones of the organization at this point. That means they have plenty of money to spend in order to make the team competitive as soon as 2015.

Free Agents to Target

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Most of the free agents the Cubs could target this offseason have already been touched on. Here are five potential targets the team could pursue. 

Jon Lester

This seems like the most likely big splash the Cubs could make this offseason. Everything about it makes sense. He knows the Cubs front office, the Cubs are willing to pay big bucks and Lester has some experience ending curses. He would cost upwards of $20 million a season, but the lefty has proven to be worth that price tag.

James Shields 

If the Cubs lose out on Lester, expect them to make a big push for Shields. Although he's older than Lester, he doesn't present a huge drop in production. Like Lester, Shields comes up big when the moments are at their biggest. That veteran confidence could seep down to the rest of the team and give a young team some swagger.

Max Scherzer 

It's very possible that Scherzer will demand the highest price tag of any of these players. While the Cubs would love to have him, they like Lester more and can probably get him for cheaper. However, if the team misses out on some other pitchers, they may get desperate and make a big offer for the former Cy Young winner.

Russell Martin 

As mentioned earlier, the Cubs front office has to be getting antsy over their current catching situation. It seemed like Castillo was the man of the future, but he's been unable to stay healthy or consistent over the last couple of seasons. Martin is a great locker-room guy and could help teach these young guys how to win.

Melky Cabrera 

This may be a long shot, but the Cubs are likely to at least look around for a veteran bat. If they can get Cabrera on a two-year contract, the Cubs may seriously consider a move like this. Cabrera provides a switch-hitting bat, some power and even some speed. He would be a very nice bridge into future outfielders such as Albert Almora and Billy McKinney.