Chicago Cubs' Offseason Questions That Still Need to Be Answered

Through their signing of Jon Lester, trade for Miguel Montero and other various moves this offseason, the Chicago Cubs have made one thing clear: They plan to compete starting in 2015. Whether they're truly competitive this upcoming season remains to be seen, but for the first time in several years, the team actually has an expectation of success.

They've done plenty this offseason already, but before the dust settles and pitchers and catchers report to spring training in February, a lot more could be done. Here are three more questions that need answers for the Cubs before they break camp and head toward their bright future.

Sign Another Outfielder?

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While the Cubs already have five outfielders who could realistically see playing time in 2015, they may add a veteran and move a player like Ryan Sweeney. Since they haven't actually added a veteran outfielder yet, there hasn't been talk of trading Sweeney, but if they were to add someone, trading Sweeney would make a lot of sense.

The most likely veteran outfielder to be added to the roster is Jonny Gomes. He fits the mold of the leader they want in the clubhouse, and on Dec. 10, Mike Cole of NESN said he and catcher David Ross could be following Jon Lester to Chicago. Ross has since signed with the Cubs, so if Cole's sources were solid, Gomes could be headed to Chicago relatively soon as well.

Gomes' stat line isn't going to blow anybody away. He hit .234 with six home runs and 37 RBI in 2014.

However, his on-base percentage was .327, which is remarkable given the fact it is .093 higher than his batting average. This shows his ability to draw walks. If he can impart that ability onto some of the free-swinging youngsters in the Cubs system, his value will go far beyond his own production.

Trade Away an Infielder?

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When the Cubs traded promising young flamethrower Arodys Vizcaino for second baseman Tommy La Stella of the Atlanta Braves, one had to wonder what the reason was. Vizcaino was finally set to pitch in the bullpen for the Cubs next season after years of rehabbing his arm, and La Stella is a middle infielder who hits for no power and only a decent average.

This could be a sign the Cubs plan to deal one of their infielders in the future. Namely, Starlin Castro, Javier Baez or Addison Russell could be on their way out based on the logjam in the middle infield. Especially if it can get the Cubs even more good pitching, moving one of them could make sense.

For now, it doesn't seem like the team is moving aggressively to deal any of their top three middle infielders, but in the future, at least one of them may have to go. Should the team reverse course and decide it's going all in for 2015 (which is highly unlikely), then one of them could be traded in the next month or so.

Add Another Top-of-the-Rotation Starter?

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The Cubs instantly made their rotation better when they signed ace Jon Lester, but they can still improve the rotation even more. Their Nos. 1 through 4 starters seem very solid right now with Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks, but their fifth starter spot is a bit of a question mark.

If they could add another top-of-the-rotation starter to the mix, they would have one of the deepest rotations in baseball.

Two potential options are Cole Hamels and Jordan Zimmermann. To trade for either, the Cubs would likely have to give up one of their top middle infielders along with some other prospects.

Those other prospects could include Dan Vogelbach, who is a first baseman and isn't very versatile in the field, so he likely won't play for the Cubs once he's ready, and Billy McKinney, who is a young, power-hitting outfielder who may have too many outfielders in front of him in the organization.

Hamels still has five years and $110 million remaining on his contract, but based on what other top pitchers have been getting paid, that could be a bargain. Of course, prospects would have to be involved, but financially, Hamels would be a sound investment.

Zimmermann, on the other hand, will be a free agent after the season. That means the Cubs would likely have to work out a contract extension for the righty ace before they officially dealt for him. 

Since more reports, especially NBC's Hardball Talk, have the Cubs linked to Hamels, he may be the more likely target for the team. Should the Cubs find a way to land the lefty, their rotation will start to look like one of the best in baseball, and they should instantly be considered contenders in the National League.