MLB Free Agency: Why the Chicago Cubs Still Need to Sign Jorge Soler

MLB’s free agency period is ending, but the Chicago Cubs have unfinished business: they still need to sign Jorge Soler. Recent reports suggest the franchise may be on the verge of doing just that within the next few days.

Soler, a 19-year-old Cuban outfielder with elite power and skills, is now the key to the Cubs offseason. Signing him would put the team firmly on track to contend in 2014 and beyond.

The team has made several farsighted moves this winter. First, they added 27-year-old third baseman Ian Stewart, who is the right age for a breakout in new surroundings. Stewart was abysmal for Colorado last year, but he is a former top prospect who showed power and on-base ability in 2012. The Cubs will give him a great opportunity to break out and secure a starting spot for the future.

Chicago also added young upside starters Travis Wood and Chris Volstad in two separate trades. Although no one would mistake them for Tim Lincecum and Felix Hernandez, Wood is an upside lefty with the changeup to be a strong third or fourth NL Central starter. Volstad, meanwhile, is a 6’8” former top prospect who was pushed up to the majors too quickly and may just need a change of scenery to become a viable part of a rotation.

At the minors, the Cubs also added elite future talent. They acquired first-base prospect Anthony Rizzo, a future left-handed star and masher, and their long-term solution at the position. Chicago also signed young Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion, a flame-throwing 18-year-old starter who will be a future part of the Cubs’ upper half of the rotation. 

With young minor league pitchers Dillon Maples and Trey McNutt also in the system, the Cubs have the tools for a strong future rotation. And, with position prospects Josh Vitters and Jeimer Candelario at third base, and Brett Jackson in center field, the Cubs have top prospects preparing to become future major league stars.

Still, Chicago still has no future stars at the outfield corners. That is where Soler comes in. He profiles as a powerful right fielder that can help anchor the middle of a lineup. The outfield corners are filled with powerful, dynamic hitters on contending teams, so Soler would be the perfect finishing touch on a strong offseason.

In fact, with Soler in the fold, the Cubs’ future lineup would have Starlin Castro, Rizzo, Soler and Jackson, along with potential stars Javier Baez, Vitters and Candelario.

Paging Cubs fans: can you imagine that?