Picking the Ideal Free Agents to Fill All of Chicago Cubs' Holes

The Chicago Cubs, after the hiring of manager Joe Maddon, appear to be in buy-now mode. While they won't go nuts in free agency this season, they aren't going to hesitate to make a bold free-agent signing if the price is right. This is in clear contrast to the last three seasons in which they made under-the-radar signings that they later flipped for prospects at the following trade deadline.

As general manager Jed Hoyer acknowledged in a conference call with reporters, per ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers, the team has been linked to most top free agents already this offseason.

But which ones make sense for the Cubs' future plans? Even though Chicago seems set for the future with position players, it still has plenty of holes to fill. President Theo Epstein and Hoyer certainly hope to fill most, if not all, of those holes this offseason.

Based on the players available at each position and how much each particular player will cost them, here are players who make sense on a number of levels for the Cubs in 2015 and beyond.

Utility Outfielder: Jonny Gomes

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What the Cubs Like About Him

Gomes isn't going to be the piece who puts the Cubs over the top, but he can serve a very important purpose. First of all, he can teach some of the Cubs' young players how to approach at-bats and get on base at a more consistent rate. His on-base percentage of .327 was nearly 100 points higher than his batting average last season.

If he can preach that approach to more talented hitters, the Cubs could begin to reverse their propensity for striking out. More than his approach, Gomes can also play either corner outfield spot. Since he's not going to be an everyday player in all likelihood, that makes him valuable as a utility man. 

Also, Gomes is known as a good locker room guy, as he's fit in with several different teams over the course of his career. Even though he's not a difference-maker at the plate, mentoring the plethora of young hitters the Cubs have could be just as important to the team's overall development.

Other Potential Fits and Why Gomes Fits Better

Michael Morse: Even though Morse is a better hitter, Gomes is the better fit because he stays on the field consistently. Morse is oft-injured, and that's why the Cubs can't afford to risk a multiyear contract on him. Additionally, he would want to play every day, which could stunt the growth of some of the Cubs' younger players.

Melky Cabrera: There's a good chance Cabrera is the best outfielder available this offseason, but the Cubs aren't necessarily looking for a splash in the outfield market. They're more likely to make subtle moves to help the overall improvement of the team. Basically, Cabrera would be too rich for their blood based on the likely emphasis on rotation spending this offseason.

Torii Hunter: Gomes and Hunter probably fit the Cubs just as well, but for Hunter personally, going elsewhere makes more sense. He's nearing the end of his career, so going back to the Minnesota Twins, where he started his career, or going to a World Series favorite would make more sense for him.

Catcher: Russell Martin

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What the Cubs Like About Him

After the season he had in 2014, there's not much not to like about Martin. He's 31 years old, so he's by no means over the hill. And he was one of only a few players last season to have a .400-plus on-base percentage. That's exactly what the Cubs need. With so many batters swinging and missing in their lineup, Martin could both get on base at a high clip and preach his methods to the young guys.

Additionally, Martin would act as a perfect bridge. With the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reporting in September the Cubs hope last year's first-round pick, Kyle Schwarber, can become a full-time catcher, Martin could occupy that spot until he's ready. That's at least two years away, and at that point, Martin could be a great mentor and platoon catcher for the tail end of his contract. 

Not in the batter's box, Martin provides value behind the dish as well. He ranked second in MLB in defensive WAR among catchers, and he was known for calling great games in Pittsburgh.

It's not very often a player with this wide-ranging value becomes a free agent, which is why the Cubs are interested in signing him, according to ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers.

Other Potential Fits and Why Martin Fits Better

Victor Martinez: Along with Martin, Martinez is the top catching free agent this offseason. However, it seems likely he could transition to first base or designated hitter eventually, which obviously makes him a bad fit for the Cubs. He's also likely to command a bigger contract than Martin. The Cubs probably wouldn't mind spending money on Martin, but they'd be getting a full package of value for him.

Middle-of-the-Rotation Starter: Brandon McCarthy

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What the Cubs Like About Him

McCarthy had something of a breakout year in 2014. It wasn't his best statistical season in every aspect, but he stayed healthy, pitched consistently and logged 200 innings. That's what has made him a coveted value signing this offseason. 

In the last two seasons, his ERA has been 4.53 and 4.05, but his FIP (fielding independent of pitching) was just 3.75 and 3.55 respectively. What FIP measures is essentially what a pitcher's ERA "should be." That means McCarthy's been relatively unlucky in respect to his ERA the last two seasons. Even so, moving to the National League could help lower that ERA since there are no designated hitters.

Along with wanting to make a huge splash in the pitching free-agent market, the Cubs would probably like to make moves that are potential high-value signings as well. McCarthy, who is only 31 years old, could be made into a very solid No. 3 or No. 4 starter for the Cubs for the next few seasons.

Other Potential Fits and Why McCarthy Fits Better

Ervin Santana: After having another good season in 2014, Santana is looking at a much bigger payday than McCarthy. Since the Cubs are probably going to want to spend big money on aces and not No. 2 and 3 starters, they're unlikely to pursue someone like Santana. Even though he would undoubtedly improve the Cubs' staff, the front office will most likely prefer low-risk, high-reward guys like McCarthy.

Francisco Liriano: The former Minnesota Twin budding star has never quite lived up to his potential, but he's still a very solid pitcher. He revitalized his career in Pittsburgh, so teams are going to be interested in him if the price is right. Based on the fact he's a lefty and has shown the type of stuff he has at times, he might carry a price tag a bit too high for the Cubs.

Jake Peavy: Out of the rest of the middle-of-the-road pitching free agents, Peavy is the best fit other than McCarthy. In fact, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Peavy and Jon Lester may be interested in a package deal to head to the Cubs. While that's possible, Peavy is going to be more expensive than McCarthy. If the price is right, though, as Wittenmyer notes, the Cubs would certainly consider adding Peavy to the staff.

Back-End Reliever: Andrew Miller

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What The Cubs Like About Him

Sometimes it takes pitchers in the major leagues a while to figure it out. That's been the case with Miller. He was a journeyman starter for several years before becoming a shutdown bullpen arm for the Boston Red Sox over the last few seasons. In 2014, he had his most productive season by far. He was actually traded to the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline and went on to pitch even better for Baltimore. 

His 2.02 ERA out of the bullpen last season is appealing and is why he may be the most coveted reliever not named David Robertson this offseason. Even though the Cubs have plenty of talented young bullpen arms, such as Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Arodys Vizcaino, Miller could even be a closer option.

Since he's only 29 years old and just coming into his own, the Cubs have to be interested in the reliever. A much-improved bullpen could be further bolstered by the addition of Miller to the back end. 

Other Potential Fits and Why Miller Fits Better

David Robertson: Even though he was offered a $15.3 million qualifying offer from the New York Yankees, Robertson is likely going to seek a multiyear offer from another team. At this point, the Cubs aren't going to be willing to pay that kind of money for a reliever. Since he's not proven as a closer yet, Miller is unlikely to cost as much as Robertson.

Sergio Romo: The Cubs likely aren't set on adding a closer this offseason. Even though it was mentioned that Miller could become a closer, that would be a bonus. Wherever Romo goes, he's going to want to close games. At 31 years old, the closer doesn't fit in with what the Cubs are trying to do at this point.

Pat Neshek: From his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs are very familiar with Neshek. He's 34 years old and is a great situational reliever. But he isn't necessarily what the Cubs are looking for. More likely, the aging reliever will re-sign with St. Louis or go somewhere he thinks he can compete for a title in 2015.

Ace: Jon Lester

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What the Cubs Like About Him 

Lester is one of three great pitchers in the free-agent market this offseason, and he's by far the best fit for the Cubs. Getting a lefty ace is something that doesn't become possible all too often, and the Cubs are sure to make a strong push for the former member of the Red Sox. 

The front office is familiar with him from the shared time in Boston, and that's sure to have some impact on Lester's decision. He makes every scheduled start, and in the age of Tommy John surgery, that's a huge deal. He's pitched over 200 innings in every season since 2008 with the exception of 2011, in which he pitched 191.2 innings. 

Lester has also been out of this world in the playoffs. His career postseason ERA of 2.57 is incredible, and clearly the Cubs would want him to be putting that shutdown ability on display for many Octobers to come.

Having a workhorse who's a lefty ace and is also only 30 years old is about the most valuable asset you can have on a team. Pairing him with the emerging ace of Jake Arrieta could make the Cubs' developing rotation pretty scary.

Other Potential Fits and Why Lester Fits Better

Max Scherzer: The Detroit Tigers' ace is in for a big payday, likely a bigger one than Lester, and Lester simply fits the Cubs better. There's familiarity there, and there's also more consistency in Lester. As mentioned before, he's been one of the best pitchers in baseball since 2008. Scherzer, while more dominant lately, has only been very impressive over the last two or three seasons. Wary of making a mistake that could cripple the rebuild, the front office is likely going to target the more "sure thing."

James Shields: While he won't make as much as Lester, Shields is also a couple years older than Lester. That means he likely has less prime left, and the Cubs are going to want five years of prime from whomever they sign. It's reasonable to think Lester can live up to those expectations. At 32, it's not necessarily reasonable to think Shields can do the same.