The Chicago Cubs are poised to make a splash in free agency this offseason and their top target is starting pitching. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer hope to add formidable depth alongside Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta.
The latest rumors suggest they are the frontrunners to land the most sought-after starter on the market: David Price.
"He is the best available starting pitcher, will probably get the most significant contract of the winter, and some rival evaluators consider the Cubs to be the heavy, heavy favorites to sign him," writes ESPN's Buster Olney.
"Two agents for free-agent starting pitchers predict that Price will sign with the Cubs," adds FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "An executive who knows Price says that the Cubs are his first choice. It's all talk until the contract is signed, particularly when the Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals and Red Sox all could be in the mix."
Rumors have suggested for a while the Cubs would be a top suitor for Price once the 2015 season came to a close. Price, 30, is expected to fetch a $200 million deal and considering the Cubs have only $82 million committed to their 2016 payroll, they can clearly afford to make such a significant signing.
Their arbitration costs are expected to reach $27.5 million, but that still won't have a detrimental effect on what they'll be able to do in free agency.
It also helps that Price played under manager Joe Maddon for years in Tampa Bay, which is expected to be a factor in his decision-making. A trio of Price, Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta atop the Cubs' rotation is something that probably appeals to the left-hander, as does the team's capable and impressive young core.
Price finished the 2015 season 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 32 starts (220 1/3 innings) with the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. His career-best 2.45 ERA has him in the running for his second AL Cy Young Award.
The aspect of Price's game that's a concern is his postseason performance. He went 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA in four games against the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals during this year's playoffs. That brought his career postseason numbers to 2-7 with a 5.12 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 14 games (eight starts).
However, that won't affect his value on the open market.
Free agency begins at 12:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, so expect a lot of news coming this weekend.
