MLB Free Agency: Players the Chicago Cubs Must Target

MLB free agency is still underway, and the Chicago Cubs still have areas to address. They have been linked to free agents like first baseman Prince Fielder, but all they have done is added mediocre pieces like Ian Stewart, David DeJesus and Travis Wood.

The Cubs parted with reliever Sean Marshall while also moving on from infielders Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena. The Cubs have many holes to fill, and while they don't need to add every piece to contend for their future, they must add some pieces to at least be able to play next season.

The following free agents are still on the market, and the Cubs must target them.

Prince Fielder

This one is a no-brainer. Prince Fielder and the Chicago Cubs are meant to be, but it remains to be seen what stance the Cubs have on the former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman.

Fielder would be a great addition to the Cubs roster now and in their near future. The Cubs are building a team that will compete in two or three years, so adding a guy like Fielder will allow the Cubs to remain a marketable team during their rebuilding phase.

Yes, they do have shortstop Starlin Castro, but he really isn't a marketable player at this early point in his career.

The Cubs lost two of their most important contributions in terms of power hitting, so they will need to address the issue by at least adding one bat that can make up for the void.

Fielder is that type of player, and the Cubs must continue to make a push for him down the stretch.

Edwin Jackson

Edwin Jackson is only 28 years old, and the former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher would be a great addition to the Chicago Cubs rotation. Even more so if the Cubs ultimately do decide to move pitcher Matt Garza.

What Jackson would provide is a veteran arm who would be an upgrade over current right-hander Randy Wells, as well as being a much more reliable option over potentially Jeff Samardzija.

This past season, Jackson was apart of the World Series-winning Cardinals. He started 31 games this season between the Chicago White Sox and Cardinals. He had a decent season, winning 12 games with an ERA of 3.79 and 148 strike outs.

Jackson would be a good target for the Cubs, especially since the back-end of their rotation is their weakest point. There is no guarantee that Travis Wood will be capable of helping the Cubs this season, as he is more likely going to be a solid contributor down the line.

Armando Galarraga

Remember when Armando Galarraga almost had that perfect game? Well, he did have a perfect game, but that is another story for another time.

Well, in the meantime, Galarraga has never been able to live up to the potential of that one game, but he would be an excellent young addition to the Chicago Cubs. He would be a risk, but he has a lot of potential, and could be an excellent insurance option for the club next season.

While a player like Galarraga wouldn't likely be chosen to be a starter for this team, he could fulfill a role in either the bullpen or the rotation when needed.

Last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Galarraga went 3-4 in eight starts. His ERA skyrocketed to 5.91 last season. As it has been said, he is a risk, but he would be a cheap option that could fulfill many roles.

Coco Crisp

There have been rumors that the Chicago Cubs are interested in Coco Crisp, and he honestly wouldn't be the worst addition.

Pending the price, the Cubs could use a player like Crisp to platoon outfield duties with Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd. Crisp presents a much quicker option on the bases, as he stole a MLB second-best 49 bases last season.

Crisp doesn't provide the potential power that Soriano or Byrd offer, but he does provide that threat on the bases. Arguably, that is just as important.

One of the areas where the Cubs struggled last season was to score. They were in the bottom 13 in runs last year, only scoring 654 times. The Cubs need to add whatever they can to give them potential scoring options.

If Crisp comes cheap, then the Cubs could add a guy who can play some time in the outfield while also being a valuable pinch-runner in late game scenarios.

Tim Wakefield

Tim Wakefield is old. I mean, real old.

The former Boston Red Sox pitcher is 45 years old, but what he does bring besides an AARP card is veteran leadership. Wakefield has been in the MLB for 19 seasons, and what the Cubs need in their bullpen is a pitcher who has experience.

The Cubs do have veterans like Carlos Zambrano, but he isn't exactly the best role model. Kerry Wood and Wakefield do present the same kind of player, but considering the Cubs biggest problem a season ago was their bullpen, any additional help won't hurt.

Over the years, Wakefield has taken a step back from the starting rotation. He is used to pitching in a reliever role, and given his age, the less innings, the better.

It remains to be seen where Wakefield ends up this offseason. Obviously, his age hasn't made him much of a commodity. The Cubs could likely grab him for cheap, but it would be up to him if he would be OK taking on a role in helping rebuild and not win.