Three Cubs Free Agency Predictions

Keone Kela

The Cubs" most pressing need this offseason is pitching, more specifically their bullpen. There may be better options on the market than Kela, but with little money and lots of holes to fill Kela makes sense. The Cubs do not need a closer at this point, with hopes Craig Kimbrel can rebound. Kela could step in as a middle reliever or a set-up man.

Through six major league seasons, split between the Texas Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kela has been used strictly out of the bullpen. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in 231 games, holding a 3.24 ERA, and 1.122 WHIP. Coming off a forearm injury that made Kela miss most of the 2020 season, the Cubs may be able to land him on a "prove it" deal.

Prediction: Cubs sign Kela to a one-year contract.

Chris Archer

Another former Pirate heading to the north side. Chris Archer former ace of the Tampa Bay Rays who never saw the same success in Pittsburgh. Like Kela, Archer is looking to redeem himself, Chicago could prove to be the perfect fit. In Chicago, the 32-year-old right-hander would not be expected to throw seven innings a game, time after time, instead, he would be the third or fourth arm in the rotation.

Archer was with the Rays for seven seasons, where he would start 177 games, post a 3.69 ERA, making two All-Star appearances, and finish top-five in Cy Young voting once. Although after being dealt to the Pirates in 2018 he would not find the same success. Starting in 33 games, Archer would post a 4.92 ERA. With a change in order, the Cubs seem like his perfect fit.

Prediction: Cubs sign Archer to a two-year contract.

Jurickson Profar

The Cubs have a big hole to fill in left-field after they opted to non-tender Kyle Schwarber. With little money to spend the options are, tight for the Cubs, Jurickson Profar seems like the most likely fit. Profar will come at a cheaper price than Schwarber but will also come with less pop in his bat. In seven seasons Profar only has 55 home runs, however, Profar is not known for his long ball ability. He is more of a get on base kind of guy, with a career .318 OBP.

The former top prospect has not lived up to expectations thus far in his career. Prior to the shortened MLB season, Profar saw 100+ hits in back-to-back seasons. Through seven seasons Profar holds a .238 average. With the ability to play anywhere he would be a great addition to the Cubs but a high risk.

Prediction: Cubs sign Profar to a one-year contract.

Final Thoughts on Cubs Free Agency

Cubs free agency will need to see more than three signings in order to turn their ship around, but with Covid-19 seemingly strapping the team for money, this may not be the year to go all in. Adding at least two of three players listed above is just a start to avoiding a total rebuild.

There are many avenues that Cubs free agency could take, although pitching is definitely at the top of the list.

Have a baseball lover that you need to get a gift for? Check out our partner at Dugout Mugs! Create a personalized mug made out of the barrel of a bat. Great for any baseball fan, or, let’s be honest, yourself!

Follow me on Twitter at @cdemp45  for more of my content! Don’t forget to join our OT Heroics MLB Facebook group, and feel free to join our new Instagram –  @overtimeheroics_MLB, and listen to our baseball podcast, Cheap Seats Chatter!. We’ll see ya there!

main image credit Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:"vCiI66-rQGRLlNvU18c3lw",sig:"sBFyB822ziCgbOwygpPhXdeS-jU_5RGckdReWDpCxsY=",w:"594px",h:"396px",items:"1033301864",caption: true ,tld:"com",is360: false })});