Complete 2014-15 Chicago Cubs Offseason Preview and Predictions

The 2014 Chicago Cubs season has officially come to an end with few surprises throughout the season.

The team finished in last place, the team's top prospects progressed through the ranks and Wrigley Field has begun its transformation into a modern ballpark.

Believe it or not, that's exactly what the Cubs had written up for 2014.

The Cubs finished at 73-89, good for last place in the NL Central. As the playoffs continue to heat up, the Cubs turn their focus to the 2015 season. But before the first pitch is thrown on April 6, the Cubs have many questions and topics to address in the 2014-15 offseason.

Here is the complete guide to the Cubs' 2014-15 offseason.

1. Payroll Breakdown

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The Cubs finished the 2014 season with the third-lowest payroll in baseball at $73,546,357. Only the Marlins and Astros had lower payrolls, and both were in the $40 million range.

Even better news for the Cubs is that the team only has $25.5 million committed to players for 2015, and 10 players are eligible for arbitration.

Hopefully, the Cubs can rid themselves of the disappointing Edwin Jackson, who alone takes up about 43 percent of their committed salaries for 2015. At best, the Cubs find a team for Jackson who will take off even a little of his guaranteed salary.

2. Cubs Free Agents

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The Cubs have very few decisions to make in terms of free agents who were with the club in 2014. Only Carlos Villanueva and Kyuji Fujikawa (club option) are free agents entering this offseason.

Villanueva likely will not return to the North Side, as he posted a 4.64 ERA in 42 games in 2014. The Cubs will be looking to score big with pitchers in free agency to add with young pitchers such as Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks.

Fujikawa is much more difficult to predict, as he played in only 15 games in 2014. Though his ERA was even higher than Villanueva's, he only has a total of 27 major league games under his belt after spending all of his previous career in Japan.

3. Holes to Fill

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Cubs already have two players who spent some time in the rotation in 2014 who almost certainly won't be returning. The Cubs have already moved Edwin Jackson to the bullpen, and it's likely he won't be back in the rotation in 2015, if even back in the blue pinstripes at all.

Villanueva and Jackson will likely be out of the picture, with both of their holes being potentially filled by a big free-agent starting pitcher. We'll look at that on the next slide.

Both first base and shortstop are already locked up for 2015 due to the long-term deals of Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. 

Cubs insider Patrick Mooney has reported that Javier Baez will start at second base in 2015. Third base will eventually be filled by Kris Bryant, the team's top prospect. 

The outfield will be filled by young prospects such as Arismendy Alcantara and Jorge Soler and, in the near future, Albert Almora.

Essentially, the holes on the field will soon be filled with prospects and a few new additions through free agency or a trade here and there.

4. Potential Free-Agent Targets

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The Cubs are expected to be a big player in free agency this offseason, focusing much of their attention on pitchers. Here are some of the big names they will be targeting this offseason:

Jon Lester

The Cubs (and of course the Yankees) have already been named as favorites to land Jon Lester, but his ties to Theo Epstein and the Cubs front office may be the tipping point that ultimately brings Lester to Chicago.

James Shields

Reports have suggested that the Royals will attempt to re-sign Shields in the offseason, but the Cubs will also make an attempt to sign him. Reports have also suggested that the Red Sox are an early favorite to land Shields.

Justin Masterson

Masterson has been mentioned as a potential signee for the Cubs, but he comes with enormous risk. After coming to the Cardinals, Masterson found himself pitching out of the bullpen as a result of his struggles. He finished the regular season with a losing record and a 5.88 ERA.

5. Possible Trades

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The Cubs put in a waiver claim for Phillies lefty Cole Hamels just after the trade deadline in 2014. Hamels remains on the watch list for the Cubs and could be targeted by the team during the offseason. 

It's likely that Hamels won't be the only target, as the Cubs have said before that pitching will be a main focus in the 2014-15 offseason.

The Cubs will certainly look to trade starter Edwin Jackson, who was named in a possible trade for B.J. Upton during the summer of 2014. Finding a suitor will be difficult because of the $24 million still owed to Jackson, but the Cubs will likely be willing to eat most of the money in order to free themselves of Jackson's on-field struggles.