MLB Free Agents 2012: 10 Free Agents Theo Epstein and the Cubs Need to Target
Once the World Series ends, Chicago Cubs' new President Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer will get started on making their mark on the Chicago Cubs. The first thing they are going to have to do is go out and get some talent because this club has many holes to fill.
The Cubs likely won't be big spenders, but most either expect them to go after at least one big player or make an impact by bringing in a few solid veterans.
Epstein and Hoyer have a lot of work ahead of them, but luckily they have a few pieces already in place in Starlin Castro, Sean Marshall, Matt Garza and Andrew Cashner. They will be looking for things out of top prospects Brett Jackson and Trey McNutt over the next few years, but they also need to focus in on the now.
These are 10 players that Epstein and Hoyer can take a shot at to start their time in Chicago out right.
Mark Buehrle
1 of 10Current Team: Chicago White Sox
Age: 32
Position: Starting Pitcher
Why He Fits
Mark Buehrle is a perfect fit for the Chicago Cubs because he fulfills some of the Cubs' needs—one being a solid starting pitcher.
The Cubs have seen "consistency" with Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster, but they haven't had a pitcher recently where you feel that he puts the team in the best position to win every game he starts.
The other is that Buehrle is a lefty. The Cubs really need a great southpaw pitcher, so no one is better to go out and get than their rival White Sox starter. Question is, will he be willing to travel north...
Brandon Phillips
2 of 10Current Team: Cincinnati Reds
Age: 30
Position: Second Base
Why He Fits
One of the biggest holes that the Chicago Cubs have is the infield. They will likely have an opening at first base and third base, but there is also no reason not to look for an upgrade at second base. Darwin Barney can play a few positions, and I don't think it is totally out of line to see Barney as a viable option at third, or perhaps in a bench role.
Phillips is definitely a stretch, but if he comes at the right price, I imagine it would be hard for Epstein and Hoyer to look away.
Prince Fielder
3 of 10Current Team: Milwaukee Brewers
Age: 27
Position: First Base
Why He Fits
The most glaring hole on the North Side is first base. With no disrespect to Carlos Pena, Epstein and Hoyer likely are going to want to improve at this position.
Whether that is through trade or free agency, we will just have to see. I don't imagine the Cubs looking into their farm system just yet, so if they decide to make a move, Prince Fielder would not shock me.
Fielder presents the best option in terms of age, especially compared to Albert Pujols, but he definitely will be looking for some big money.
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C.J. Wilson
4 of 10Current Team: Texas Rangers
Age: 30
Position: Starting Pitcher
Why He Fits
As previously mentioned, the Chicago Cubs are in need of starting pitching. Also, they could really benefit if one of those starters were a left-handed pitcher. The Rangers' C.J. Wilson provides a great option here, but I still would put him second to Buehrle.
Wilson hasn't been the most consistent pitcher, but when he is on, he is on. If the Rangers end up winning it all, it would be tough to imagine Wilson and the Rangers parting ways, but we will just have to see how things unfold in the offseason.
Jack Wilson
5 of 10Current Team: Atlanta Braves
Age: 33
Position: Second Base
Why He Fits
Jack Wilson is one of those guys that presents an option as an infield defensive upgrade.
Wilson has always been known to be a great fielder, but his batting has been spotty. There is room in the lower end of the batting order, so he could slide in there while still providing a significant upgrade to the Cubs' fielding. The former Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop could also fill in at that spot.
Wilson would be more likely if the Cubs make a big splash with Prince Fielder or perhaps Albert Pujols, since they will be looking to spend a little less to fill their other holes. Wilson could potentially fill the hole at third base, but that is a stretch.
Matt Capps
6 of 10Current Team: Minnesota Twins
Age: 28
Position: Relief Pitcher
Why He Fits
Matt Capps likely will not find himself in the closer role in Chicago, but the Chicago Cubs do need relief pitching. Capps isn't coming off of a great season, but perhaps he could rebound in Chicago. He would be worth a look since he likely won't be that expensive, but the only scare is that he could be John Grabow 2.0.
Nonetheless, the Cubs need middle relief help, so they should look into acquiring Capps.
Roy Oswalt
7 of 10Current Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Age: 34
Position: Starting Pitcher
Why He Fits
The Phillies and Roy Oswalt likely will exercise their mutual option for 2012, but the Cubs should keep their ears close on this one in case the starter is available. Oswalt has been a deadly effective starter year in and year out, and even after a injury-plagued 2011, there is no reason not to give the guy a shot.
Oswalt is the kind of guy the Cubs need. He has a good reputation as a good guy in the locker room and also has a winning mentality since he has been with the Phillies for the last two years.
Casey Blake
8 of 10Current Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Age: 38
Position: Third Base
Why He Fits
Casey Blake would be more of a short-term fix in Chicago. If the Cubs ultimately decide not to bring back Aramis Ramirez, they could look at possibly bringing in Blake for a two- or three-year deal. They also could give him a one-year deal as they gave Pena in 2011.
This option is most likely if Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have confidence in their farm system with players like Josh Vitters or DJ LeMahieu.
Carlos Beltran
9 of 10Current Team: San Francisco Giants
Age: 34
Position: Outfield
Why He Fits
Perhaps it is too late to consider Carlos Beltran, but the Cubs do have an opening in their outfield and he definitely would be a nice fit—at the right price.
There is no doubt that Beltran would be a good fit in Chicago, but the real question is how much will he be asking for? At 34 years old, he isn't worth any more than a four-year contract. That isn't even considering the total money he will be looking for.
Chances are, though, that at this age Beltran is going to be looking to jump onto a contender's ship and try to get that World Series ring. The Cubs might not fit that description in 2012.
C.C. Sabathia
10 of 10Current Team: New York Yankees
Age: 31
Position: Starting Pitcher
Why He Fits
To close out the show, we can't go without bringing up the potential free agency of Yankees' starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia.
Sabathia is a workhorse, and that is something the Chicago Cubs need. Many may see this as a moot point, but the Cubs play a lot of day games, and that can get exhausting. Point being, Sabathia has proven in the past that he can take on a heavy workload. So while his innings may be cut short, he has shown that a season of day games in Chicago won't hurt him.
It also doesn't hurt that Sabathia is a left-handed pitcher. This is certainly a huge hole that Epstein and Hoyer will be looking to fill, so don't be surprised to see them go after one of the left-handed starters that have been mentioned throughout the article.
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