Super agent Scott Boras has not been getting the big offers he thought he was going to receive this offseason and now teams could make a push to acquire one of the top free agents left. The Cubs have reportedly agreed to a three-year, $80 million contract with Cody Bellinger, but are they going to sign another Boras free agent?
At this point, the Cubs aren’t desperate to add via free agency, especially after bringing back Bellinger. However, you do have to wonder if Jed Hoyer is able to capitalize on a weaker market that Boras was not anticipating. With Bellinger in agreement with the Cubs, Boras has four big names left un-signed: Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Matt Chapman and J.D. Martinez.
Right off the bat, I think it’s safe to rule out Snell. He’s still flirting with the New York Yankees and they appear to be the lone team offering the 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner a longterm deal. It’s obviously not what Snell thought he’d be offered, but this late in the game, it’s probably the best offer he’ll get. As for the other three, I think the Cubs could potentially work something out.
Well, that is if Montgomery comes off his huge asking price.
The Athletic’s Jayson Stark was discussing the Philadelphia Phillies interest in Montgomery this weekend, but said that Montgomery is still seeking a deal that either matches or exceeds Aaron Nola. If you recall, Nola re-signed with the Phillies early in free agency, agreeing to a 7-year, $172 million deal.
The Phillies are obviously not interested in that type of deal and neither are the Cubs. I still think Montgomery ends up signing a short term contract with an opt out. Unlike Snell, there has not been that one suitor offering several years to Montgomery.
Heading over to the hitters, does Matt Chapman still make sense for the Cubs? One national reporter says you shouldn’t rule it out. Mark Feinsand wrote about the top free agents remaining and brought up the Cubs when discussing Chapman’s future.
Via MLB.com.
Chicago has been viewed as a potential landing spot for Chapman for much of the winter, and while the Bellinger signing might seemingly take the Cubs out of the mix for the third baseman, it would be foolish to close the door entirely on that scenario.
Meanwhile, J.D. Martinez is still looking for a big salary on a one-year deal and we do have an idea of just how much he’s looking for.
After the San Francisco Giants signed Jorge Soler, MLB insider Jon Heyman said the Giants offered Martinez a deal, but he declined, supposedly because he didn’t want to go there. Eventually, Feinsand reported that the Giants offered $14 million, but Martinez declined, wanting $20 million.
Any other significant acquisition would put the Cubs way above the first luxury tax threshold and with that comes penalties of not only a tax hit, but losing a draft pick and international free agent pool money as well. So, you know, the front office is also considering that when looking at potentially adding more.
If, and I do think it’s a big if, do get one more player I would love either Chapman or Martinez. I know I would have freaked out about Chapman being the big free agent for the Cubs back in December, but that was out of fear of giving him a long deal. That is just not going to happen for him, at least not if it’s with the Cubs. How about a two-year deal worth $20-23 million per season and give him an opt out after 2024 as well?
The Cubs would instantly have the best infield defense in baseball and while Christopher Morel would ideally play third in the longterm, he’d still be in the lineup as the regular DH in 2024.
On the other hand, if the Cubs believe Morel is good enough defensively at third base, then how about securing the DH spot with Martinez on a one-year, $17 million deal?
Let’s say the Cubs do open up the checkbook again, what big free agent left would you prefer?
