Dominoes if the Cubs Sign Jordan Zimmermann
Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Fourth domino, the search for a centerfielder
The Cubs not only need a center fielder, but they will need a leadoff hitter as well. With the two main centerfielders that double as leadoff hitters on the market being Denard Span and the familiar Dexter Fowler, if the team doesn’t strike in free agency they will have to look to the trade market. With he team’s best defensive player, Albert Almora, is still a few years away from his big league debut, they will be forced into some move this offseason.
With the Cubs likely going a cheaper option as far as starting pitchers go (even if Zimmermann gets an average salary of $20 million, that is the cheaper route) they may still have the resources to bring Dexter Fowler back, although he will be looking to increase his $9 M pay from a year ago, and sign a long term deal in the neighborhood of four years at $15 M per season.
If Dexter is not the answer, or we cannot fit him into the mix again, Span would have to do, and very well might be the better option. Span has, throughout his career, set the table incredibly well, owning a lifetime .352 OBP, has the ability to steal bases, and his ability to put the bat on the ball (average of 61 strikeouts per year) makes him a very attractive piece to the Chicago Cubs World Series puzzle. Not to mention he led the National League in hits in 2014 (184) and has twice led the league in triples, while playing an outstanding centerfield.
The only issue to worry about is Span is injuries. While having 660 + plate appearances in both 2013 and 14, Span spent a lot of time on the DL in 2015. He had a sports hernia procedure then had surgery to repair a right core muscle which placed him on the DL to start 2015. Following that up with absences due to back spasms, he finally missed the rest of the season after he suffered a hip injury which required surgery on September 1st.
The Cubs could check the temperature on Carlos Gomez with Houston. While Houston competed in 2015, they still will have salary constraints and Gomez’s $9 M could be nice to get off the books, especially if they get a player like Jorge Soler or Javy Baez in return. Gomez is under contract until the 2017 season, which could also allow for the team to bring Albert Almora up slowly, allowing for him to develop his offensive game.
There would be a lot less moving parts when signing Zimmermann than if the team were to sign someone like David Price or Zack Greinke, but it does still offer some consequences. This team has an apparent hole in center, as well as in the pitching staff, relievers and starters combined. While the best (or most convenient) way for the team to upgrade the most positions is through trade — it also offers the least expensive route — while that will certainly cost the team someone that the Cubs and fans like, the end game is a World Series.
The hot stove is just really starting, and there will be a lot more talk and a lot more rumor over the course of baseball’s winter.
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