The biggest rumor of the offseason has focused on whether or not the Chicago Cubs will land David Price in free agency. With Price expected to land a $200 million deal, will Chicago spurn that idea and look to add two free agents to address their starting rotation and outfield instead?
Starter Jeff Samardzija and outfielder Jason Heyward could be those two players, according to the latest rumors.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein already reportedly met with Samardzija earlier in the offseason as the two sides could be interested in a reunion. Samardzija would provide strong depth at a fraction of the cost for Price and he's already familiar with Wrigley Field.
"What once felt like a good possibility -- that the Cubs would land one of the top four free-agent starters -- is beginning to feel like it will happen now only on their terms and not under any sort of maximum deal for the player," writes Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com.
"If not Price, Plan B seems to involve Jeff Samardzija. He's more affordable."
After a down year for the right-hander, he's expected to earn much less than previously believed. He posted a 4.96 ERA with the Chicago White Sox in his contract year and is perhaps no longer a candidate for a $100 million contract. Samardzija reportedly rejected a five-year, $85 million deal from the Cubs during the 2014 season. He was then traded to the Oakland Athletics.
Perhaps Chicago has the upper hand in negotiations now since Samardzija is 16-19 with a 4.34 ERA since leaving the Cubs.
As for Heyward, rumors have loosely linked the Cubs to the outfielder at times, but his price tag could be prohibitive as well. Many project the All-Star to land a $200 million contract. However, there are caveats that could make such a deal work for the Cubs down the road.
"Another big-play possibility is free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward," Rogers adds. "He'll cost a ton as well, but while the Cubs played down the idea of two $100 million signings -- as in Price and Heyward -- they haven't said no to Samardzija or the 26-year-old Heyward."
Why haven't they said no to that scenario? Probably because Heyward's next contract will have an opt-out clause after the third, fourth or fifth year of the deal. At 26 years old, there is no doubt his representation is going to want to negotiate an opt-out clause so Heyward can hit free agency once more before or at the age of 30, which would almost guarantee him another lucrative long-term contract (like Zack Greinke did this year).
As we've previously hypothesized, say Heyward signs a 10-year, $200 million contract with a given team and earns $20 million per season. If he opts out after three or four years, that team would only be on the hook for $60 million or $80 million. I feel the clause will be asked for after the fourth year, which means the deal wouldn't be an onerous long-term commitment that would need to be accounted for way down the road.
Epstein and Jed Hoyer said the team won't be adding two $100 million contracts to the payroll. That could hold true of the team can sign Samardzija for $85 million and add Heyward under the impression he'll be sure to exercise his opt-out clause in his hypothetical contract.
So while Price, Zack Greinke and Johnny Cueto are dominating the headlines right now, the Cubs could swoop in and make two prudent signings that will address two major areas of need without handicapping them financially.
