The Chicago Cubs, thus far, have established themselves as playoff contenders. It's possible they make a big deal for a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, but they may not be willing to give up prospects in return for some of the bigger names on the market.
It's clear Chicago is looking to upgrade both their starting rotation and bullpen, but president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer don't want it to come at the expense of their coveted farm system. The Cubs have talented position players under cost-effective control and allocated money to acquire pitching talent from outside the organization.
They began that endeavor by signing Jon Lester to a six-year, $155 million deal this past offseason.
It appears they'll continue this fall/winter, obviously unless something drastic happens before the trade deadline.
"Folks around the game are convinced the Cubs will sign a big free agent pitcher this winter. Price is the obvious guy, thanks to his long connection to Cubs manager Joe Maddon. But Jordan Zimmermann, from tiny Auburndale, Wis. might enjoy Chicago and has been linked to the Cubs," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports in his latest edition of Inside Baseball.
Price was said to be an 'easy fit' for the Cubs in the offseason (via Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com), but he's in line for a hefty pay day that will likely exceed that of Lester's. It's unknown if Chicago is willing to sink that much money into another pitcher entering his 30s when there will be cheaper options in free agency.
Zimmermann is one of those pitchers. The Nationals' right-hander has been one of the top arms in baseball since 2012, but he's been having an uncharacteristic campaign in 2015 and it may drive down his value when he hits the open market. He's 5-5 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.369 WHIP and is averaging six innings per start (he averaged 6.25 last season and 6.66 in 2013).
Trade rumors in the offseason linked the Cubs to the Nats' right-hander, especially after the club signed Max Scherzer and it was speculated they could move Zimmermann to get value for him before he left in free agency. He has rejected a number of contract extensions from Washington and it's fairly evident he won't be back in the nation's capital.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were said to have Zimmermann atop their trade wish list, but the Nationals have not expressed willingness at this point in regards to moving him.
The Cubs will be closely monitored from now through July 31, but if they don't make a big move to upgrade their starting rotation during that time frame it's almost guaranteed one will come in the months after the season ends.
