Chicago Cubs: Top Five 2016-17 Offseason Priorities

Chicago Cubs: Top Five Offseason Priorities

By Jason Evans | Nov 3, 2016

Oct 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) celebrates after scoring on a RBI-single by shortstop Addison Russell (not pictured) against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning in game four of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

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Figure out the closer

Coming into this season and for most of it, Hector Rondon was the Cubs’ closer. Then came the big deadline move for Aroldis Chapman to help lengthen it. All Chapman did was save 16 games, pitch to a 1.01 ERA and strike out 46 batters in 26.2 innings. No big deal.

The Cubs need to figure out what they are going to do for a closer next year. Re-sign Chapman? Try and sign Kenley Jansen or Mark Melancon? Make a play for Wade Davis from the Royals? Re-install Rondon at closer?

Rondon saw his ERA jump almost a full two runs this year after a 30-save season in 2015 with an ERA of 1.67. Rondon’s BABIP against only went up three points this year, but his opponents’ BAA went up 13 points.

Melancon won’t cost a pick. Jansen would. Davis would cost more assets after giving up some to get Chapman from the Yankees before the deadline.

Nonetheless, it’s important to figure out.

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