The Chicago Cubs are in the heat of the 2015 playoff race, but are hoping to sign an ace pitcher in free agency this coming offseason. David Price and Jordan Zimmerman are two players that the Cubs could end up being interested in bringing on board. Adding another star pitcher to go alongside of Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester would give the Cubs one of the league's top rotations and would make them a World Series contender.
Adding either Price or Zimmerman would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Cubs. They have been one of baseball's biggest surprises this year and the youth that they have on the offensive side of the diamond is impressive to say the least.
Price has split this season between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays and has combined his time between the two teams for a dominant stat line. He has compiled a 13-5 record to go along with a 2.47 ERA and a 5.08 K/BB ratio. Those numbers would look very good as the ace in the Cubs' rotation and he would be rejoining former Tampa Bay Rays manager, Joe Maddon.
Zimmerman hasn't been quite as dominant, but has still put up a very solid all-around season. He has a 12-8 record so far this year to go along with a 3.38 ERA and 4.12 K/BB ratio. Chicago wouldn't have to spend quite as much money to bring in a player like Zimmerman, but he also wouldn't be the ace for their rotation either.
If the Cubs are looking to spend big money on a pitcher in free agency, Price is obviously the way to go.
Theo Epstein has quite a few options this coming offseason, and he will have to make some decisions on other positions as well. Improving the bullpen will be a major task for the Cubs, while they also may have to work out new deals with some of their own players such as Dexter Fowler. Chicago has the money to spend to get everything they want to do done, but they have to choose which players they want to bring in.
All of that being said, Price is exactly the type of star power that the Cubs need to acquire in order to take the next step towards being a championship contender. Price has also mentioned that he likes Chicago and the atmosphere that the Cubs have created.
Expect to hear plenty of rumors about the Cubs over the next few months and expect the coming offseason to be a very busy time for them. Until then, it is time to sit back and enjoy watching the Cubs succeed and try to win their way into the postseason.
