Even though the Chicago Cubs have vastly exceeded expectations during the 2015 season, that won't stop them from further upgrading their talented roster in the fall/winter. The latest rumors indicate they'll be going after some high-profile names, which has been speculated for a while now.
The Cubs need improvement in a few areas, including the starting rotation and outfield, and those are seemingly the top two aspects they'll attempt to address in a significant way once the offseason hits.
"The Cubs are expected to make a big play for a free agent ace this winter, such as David Price or perhaps Jordan Zimmermann," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "They have showed interested in Jason Heyward and Justin Upton at least as trade targets in the past. That doesn't mean they'll pursue either as a free agent, though."
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer opted to fill a couple of voids in conservative fashion before the non-waiver trade deadline. Various rumors linked them to Price and other starters such as Johnny Cueto, James Shields and Carlos Carrasco, but the team instead acquired starter Dan Haren and reliever Tommy Hunter because they felt it'd be better to preserve their farm system and go after the marquee players with money in the offseason.
They also bolstered their outfield depth in trading for Seattle Mariners outfielder Austin Jackson before August's waiver deadline, which proved to be a prudent move after Kyle Schwarber strained his ribcage and will miss the next 3-5 days.
As for the future of their outfield, the Cubs may look toward their in-house options before breaking the bank for a free agent.
Dexter Fowler has performed well since coming over from the Houston Astros in the offseason. The veteran is batting .254/.350/.424 with 88 runs scored, 15 home runs, 37 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 125 games this year, and it appears the Cubs will at least try and keep him around for 2016.
"Giving Fowler the qualifying offer is an obvious move, according to a source familiar with the team's thinking, who said it still would have been the smart play even if he hadn't become red-hot after an uneven first half," adds Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
However, there is a chance Fowler rejects that offer to seek a long-term deal, which would then likely put the Cubs in a position to make a run at another center fielder.
While Heyman notes the Cubs have had previous interest in Upton and Heyward, both sluggers are corner outfielders. Chicago seems to have those positions figured out with Schwarber and Jorge Soler for the time being, unless the plan is to give Schwarber more reps at catcher next year. If that's the case, then pursuing either Upton or Heyward to play left field would make sense.
But Schwarber's full-time transition to catcher is still in question. The club has Miguel Montero under contract for two more years ($14 million per season), and it's hard to believe either him or Schwarber will be part-time players due to the salary owed to Montero and the immense value of Schwarber's bat.
Whatever the case, be ready for the Cubs to make big moves in the offseason and add high-profile veteran(s) to one of the most young and talented rosters in the MLB.
