Report: Cubs expected to pursue Cy Young finalist in free agency

Kamil Krzaczynski - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 24 hours ago

Where have you heard this before? Reports indicate that the Cubs are expected to pursue so-and-so as one of many free-agent options. That has been the story for years, and yet for whatever reason, the team either low-balls the offer to the said candidates or doesn't make the effort to add some of the premier talent in the game to improve this roster.

Coming off their first playoff appearance since 2020, and their first postseason series win since 2017, now is as good a time as ever for the Cubs to deviate from their recent approach in free agency to go all out and add to this roster, finally. While that may seem like an easy enough approach, that simply isn't how Tom Ricketts has been operating over the past few years, and with a lockout looming in 2027, there is little hope that things will change this offseason.

Despite that, there are already several reports that the Cubs are interested in big-ticket free agents, and most of the names listed have been discussed in the past as possible trade targets for this team. The most notable name being mentioned with the Cubs is Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, who is expected to be one of the more highly sought-after arms of the winter.

A former first-round pick by the Cubs, Cease was traded to the White Sox as part of the Jose Quintana deal in 2017 and has since been one of those deals as the one that got away. Ever since leaving the Cubs for the White Sox, and now the Padres, Cease has emerged as a front-line starter who is not only capable of eating innings, but posts some of the highest strikeout rates in the game.

The Cubs had a first-hand look at him during the Wild Card round as he carved them up in game two of that series, much like he has most of his career. This isn't the first time the Cubs have been linked to Cease; there was some offseason chatter last year about him possibly being traded to the Cubs, but no deal came of it. Bringing him back to Chicago would be the perfect feel-good story for a team that has had trouble developing pitching and is in desperate need of some more swing and miss in their rotation.

Cease isn't the only starting pitcher linked to the Cubs; Zac Gallen is picking up steam again. Listed as the 15th best available free agent, Gallen was a trade target for the Cubs this past season, but the asking price appeared to be too rich for the Cubs' blood. Now a free agent for the first time, Gallen is expected to have his share of suitors, but the Diamondbacks, Cubs, and Padres are the favorites to add him this offseason.

Not the same pitcher he was when he was pitching at a Cy Young level, Gallen is still more than capable of being a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm for this team and one that can eat plenty of innings in the process. With Colin Rea expected to be on the move and Shota Imanaga's future with this team in question, the Cubs are going to need at least one big-name starter to slide into the rotation, and Gallen could be that guy.

Speaking of former Diamondbacks on the free agent market, keep an eye on Eugenio Suarez as a target for the Cubs now that he will be a free agent again. One of the three top bats on the free agent market, Suarez was the best offensive trade chip at the deadline as the Cubs let the Seattle Mariners grab him for practically nothing.

Granted, he didn't produce at the level anyone thought he would once the trade was made, but there is no denying the power he possesses as he ranks third in all of baseball over the past five years in total home runs. Adding him to the middle of the Cubs lineup would allow Matt Shaw to develop further if needed, while Suarez could take over the DH role that Seiya Suzuki occupied should he be forced to move back to right field, depending on what happens this offseason.

Those have been the three biggest names linked to the Cubs thus far, but don't count out Alex Bregman and or Kyle Schwarber as other potential pieces for this team. There are several reports that Bregman wanted to be a Cub last offseason but wound up signing with the Red Sox after learning an offer wasn't coming.

That alone is a tough pill to swallow, as he would look great in pin stripes. Of all the players the Cubs let walk away, Schwarber is the one who stings the most, as he never should have been traded away when he was. Now, after watching him consistently belt 40-plus homers the past five seasons with the Phillies, seeing him as a free agent has many fans praying for a reunion, as this would be the perfect feel-good story for anyone.

Knowing what Schwarber and or Bregman would cost, don't expect the Cubs to deviate from their plans too much. However, if there is a way to get something done in a shorter, team-friendly deal, the Cubs could be players for either of these guys, as this could be a very entertaining offseason.