The Chicago Cubs just got a major green light to help retool their roster this winter as the organization looks to push for a division title next season.
Adding to the rotation is the top priority this offseason for the Cubs, and they aren’t hiding it from the public. This winter has a strong group of starting pitching available in free agency which is a perfect match for Chicago. However, some of them will have a qualifying offer attached, such as San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease.
In the latest update from Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney, the Cubs aren’t going to be discouraged by a player having a qualifying offer attached to their name.
“Now that the Cubs are signaling a willingness to sign a player attached to a qualifying offer and pay the associated costs, right-hander Dylan Cease stands out even more,” they wrote for The Athletic. “Hoyer and Hawkins insist they’re just looking for pitchers who can consistently get outs. They trust that with a strong pitching infrastructure — led by longtime pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and an elite infield defense — the club can maximize talent.”
For a team like the Cubs to show they aren’t worried about the qualifying offer, it’s a very good sign they’ll be aggressive in an attempt to build a contender. Very few teams are willing to pursue free agents with that attached because they don’t want to provide another team with draft pick compensation. Chicago’s willingness to ignore that could potentially lead to a seismic shift from front office executives.
Cease would be a strong fit for the Cubs, especially if the organization is focused on guys who can frequently pitch five to six innings and get outs, two areas he has excelled with the Padres. Recent reports are showing that Cease could sign a six-year deal worth $187 million this winter, an average of $31.17 million per year. If he signs a long-term deal with the Cubs, it would provide the team with stability in the rotation for several years, and it is one of many reasons why signing him makes sense for Chicago.
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