Chicago Cubs eyeing extremely active offseason

The Chicago Cubs are still refusing to admit they entered a rebuilding process. They are just reloading, even if it is going to take some time and there are a lot of holes to fill on the roster.

Two specific areas of need are in the middle of the infield and in center. As such, it is not a surprise that the Cubs are reportedly targeting those two areas specifically.

Chicago Cubs looking to fill significant gaps on roster

Center and short are not the only two areas of need for the Cubs. They also need to find a catcher, possibly add a first baseman, add another piece to the rotation, and shore up the bullpen. While some of those pieces could come from within, especially after first base prospect Matt Mervis had an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League, the Cubs are going to need to be busy in free agency and the trade market.

Shortstop would appear to be the easiest of the two positions they are focusing on to fill. Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, Dansby Swanson, and Trea Turner are all available in free agency. The Cubs had been linked to Correa during the 2021-22 offseason before deciding to pin their hopes to Nick Madrigal and Nico Hoerner for the middle of their infield. It took just that one season for the Cubs to realize that was a mistake.

Center field is going to be more difficult. Brandon Nimmo is the top center fielder in free agency and there are plenty of teams looking for an upgrade at the position. Otherwise, the Cubs may be looking at Kevin Kiermaier or Cody Bellinger as the top option, unless they look at the trade market. Even then, the likes of Michael A. Taylor, Ramon Laureano, and possibly Adolis Garcia would be the top of the market. Those players will also have a bidding war as teams vie for their services.

The Cubs are not going to be able to fill all of the holes on their roster through external means. Internal options are going to need to step up and prove that they can be part of the present and future, or, at the very least, be a stopgap until the next wave of prospects arrives. Nonetheless, the Cubs are looking to do as much as they can to fill those gaps.

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly prioritizing shortstop and center field. It may be a lot easier to find help at one of those positions than the other.