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The Chicago Cubs finished the 2021 season with a 71-91 record, their worst performance in a season since 2013. It marked the end of an era for a successful Cubs core that won the World Series in 2016, as Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez were all dealt at the trade deadline.
The Cubs may not be a playoff team in 2022, but that doesn't mean they won't go out and try to sign some big-name players. Here are three guys Chicago should pursue this offseason:
Nick Castellanos
After declining his option with the Cincinnati, the 29-year-old right fielder hits the market with his value at an all-time high.
Castellanos is coming off a career year with the Reds in which he slashed .309/.362/.576 for an OPS+ of 136. The 29-year-old had a positive experience playing with the Cubbies as well in 2018. Castellanos spent the second half of that season with Chicago, hitting .321 with 16 home runs in just 51 games.
Outside of Ian Happ, Jed Hoyer's ballclub has a ton of holes in the outfield to fill for the upcoming 2022 season. Castellanos could bring a great bat to a roster that looked like a Triple-A lineup in the second half of the 2021 season.
With the universal DH becoming a reality in 2022, Castellanos would be a perfect fit to toggle between the outfield and solely concentrate on doing what he does best — mashing baseballs.
Marcus Stroman
After sitting out the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcus Stroman showed no signs of rust, boasting a 3.02 ERA in 33 starts. The Stro-Show is about to get paid, and the 29-year-old hinted at his interest with the organization to NBC Sports Chicago in September:
“Just because of the history of the franchise, how amazing the franchise is,” he said. “And the city’s one of my favorite cities. So I don’t think the Cubs will ever have trouble getting guys or having guys that want to go there. The organization’s been so good for so long, and it has that history there. I think everybody wants to play at Wrigley in front of that crowd.
Stroman is not a high-strikeout pitcher like most aces, but would be a massive boost to a weak rotation that falls off in name value after the likes of Kyle Hendricks and Wade Miley.
Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor made his first All-Star game last year as the Dodgers super utility man, appearing in 148 games. Taylor is everything you want in a player — someone who you can plug in at multiple positions, hit at any spot in the order, and come up clutch when it matters most.
The Dodgers will be focused on signing both stars Max Scherzer, Corey Seager and Trea Turner, so Taylor will most likely be the odd man out. Coming off a 3.1 WAR season, the 31-year-old is still in the prime of his career and could become a new fan favourite in Wrigleyville.
With David Bote currently the Cubs starting third baseman, and Rafael Ortega and Greg Deichmann as outfielders, there's no shortage of where manager David Ross could place Taylor.
