Chicago Cubs Rumors: Seven possible free agent options this offseason

If the Chicago Cubs are uninterested in giving out additional lengthy contracts before extending players like Bryant or Baez, they could focus on adding short-term solutions to maintain a large level of payroll flexibility going forward.

Many players on the Cubs are known for their ability to play numerous positions on any given day, which would make Marwin Gonzalez a solid addition to the team.  Throughout his seven-year career, Gonzalez has spent a significant amount of time at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field.

During this time, he has compiled an impressive .264/.318/.419 slash-line with 76 home runs, 139 doubles, 292 runs batted in, and 303 runs scored.  To make Gonzalez more appealing, he also has 30 games of postseason experience, including a World Series championship in 2017.  Throughout his postseason career, Gonzalez holds a slash-line of .227/.306/.381 with 9 extra-base hits, 13 runs batted in, and 10 runs scored.

Although Gonzalez has spent his entire career with one organization, he does have experience in both the National League and the American League.  During the 2012 season (in which the Houston Astros spent their final season in the NL), Gonzalez played in 80 games.  Throughout this time, he was primarily a super-utility bench player, so he was able to compile pinch-hitting experience while filling in at numerous positions through late game double switches.

Between his defensive versatility, his postseason experience, and his impressive switch-hitting ability, Gonzalez should expect to earn a 3 year, $27-30 million contract this offseason.  As this contract would easily fit into the Cubs current payroll obligations, it would also give the organization a very capable player to place anywhere within the lineup each day.