>
Cubs Again Figure to Prioritize 'Upper Middle-Class' Pitchers in Free Agency –
Cubs Again Expected to Prioritize 'Upper Middle-Class' Pitchers in Free Agency
Scouting director Dan Kantrovitz explains how the club's past struggles with big-money pitchers influenced its offseason approach
As the Chicago Cubs begin to approach the 2023 offseason, it's clear that the team will once again be in the market for starting pitching.
After a disappointing 2022 campaign and the failures of several big-money free-agent signings in recent years, the Cubs appear to be taking a more cautious approach this offseason.
What is the “Upper Middle Class”?
The Cubs are expected to focus on acquiring 'upper-middle-class' free-agent pitchers, according to scouting director Dan Kantrovitz.
This group of pitchers is generally defined as those who are not considered to be among the elite in the league but are still capable of being solid contributors.
These pitchers typically come at a lower cost than the top free agents and have less risk associated with them.
Why the Cubs are Prioritizing Upper-Middle-Class Pitchers
There are several reasons why the Cubs are expected to prioritize upper-middle-class pitchers in free agency this offseason.
- The Cubs have had poor experiences with big-money free-agent pitchers in recent years, with the likes of Yu Darvish, Jason Heyward, and Tyler Chatwood all failing to live up to expectations.
- The Cubs have a limited budget this offseason and cannot afford to overspend on any one player.
- The Cubs believe that there is a deep pool of quality starting pitching available in the upper-middle class this offseason.
Kantrovitz said that the Cubs are looking for pitchers who can “eat innings” and “keep us in the game.”
He also said that the Cubs are looking for pitchers who have “some upside” and can potentially develop into more than just a back-of-the-rotation arm.
Who Are Some Potential Targets for the Cubs?
There are several potential free-agent pitchers who could fit the Cubs' criteria this offseason.
- Brad Hand: The 33-year-old left-hander had a solid season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, posting a 3.83 ERA in 64 appearances.
- Zack Greinke: The 39-year-old right-hander is still a solid innings eater and could provide the Cubs with a veteran presence in the rotation.
- Taijuan Walker: The 30-year-old right-hander had a breakout season with the New York Mets in 2022, posting a 3.49 ERA in 30 starts.
These are just a few of the potential free-agent pitchers who could be on the Cubs' radar this offseason.
Conclusion
The Cubs are expected to be in the market for starting pitching this offseason, but they are likely to take a more cautious approach than they have in recent years.
The team is expected to focus on acquiring 'upper-middle-class' free-agent pitchers who can eat innings and keep them in games.
There are several potential targets who could fit this criteria, and the Cubs should have a good chance of landing one or two of them to bolster their rotation.