MLB Free Agency: The Chicago Cubs Need to Sign Jorge Soler

It's been a good offseason for the Chicago Cubs, but they need to complete it by signing Jorge Soler.

Earlier this offseason, I wrote that the Cubs should target both Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler. Cespedes ultimately signed with the Oakland Athletics because they agreed to sign a four-year deal, and let him become a free agent when he becomes 30 years old. The Cubs had little use for a four-year deal because they will not contend for two to three years, so it makes sense that they let Cespedes go to Oakland.  

But now they need to sign Jorge Soler, because he has ever greater upside than Cespedes, and could be the Cubs' power hitting outfielder of the future. Soler's power is often compared to Florida Marlins outfielder Mike Stanton's, which is high praise. At 19 years old, Soler is a two-year project, but he will likely become an impact player at the major league level right when the Cubs start to contend for division titles.

Even now, it is possible to see the Cubs' future team taking shape. Many prospects fail, but the Cubs are building the depth necessary to contend in the near future. Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo and Brett Jackson will be the complete hitter combination in the middle of the batting order. Young prospects Gerardo Concepcion, Dillon Maples and Trey McNutt will be the team's front-line starters. Soler would be the power-hitting outfielder in the four-hole of the lineup, which the Cubs desperately need to complete the middle of their future batting order.  

Can the Cubs succeed in the future without Jorge Soler?  Certainly, there are always other prospects. But, the team needs a power-hitting outfielder for the future, and Soler is sitting right there, waiting for them. So what are they waiting for? It's time to sign him already!