The Chicago Cubs have long been linked to all of the top shortstops on the free-agent market this offseason. One is already off the market as the Philadelphia Phillies signed Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million deal Monday. In the interim, new reports indicate that the Cubs' top priority is former Boston Red Sox star Xander Bogaerts. Not only that, but Chicago is bringing in a whole crew of Red Sox players who became Cubs to pitch Bogaerts on playing on the North Side of the city.
Top Free Agent in Cubs History Still Chipping In
Nearly eight years to the day when Jon Lester signed a six-year, $155 million deal to join the Cubs, he's still out here trying to help Chicago win. If anyone can sell a big-time free agent on coming to Chicago after a string of poor seasons, it's Lester.
The left-hander came to the Cubs following a season in which Chicago went 73-89 and finished last in the NL Central. He immediately propelled them to the 2015 playoffs, putting up a 3.34 ERA in 205 innings pitched. Of course, in 2016, he then went 19-5 with a career-best 2.44 ERA, finished second in the NL Cy Young race, and helped the Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years.
Now, it seems Lester is trying to help the Cubs get a chance to win another title in a quicker timeframe. Does Xander Bogaerts move the needle in the same way Lester did in 2014? No, but the parallels are there.
This year, the North Siders are coming off a 74-88 record. Signing Bogaerts could be a Lester-like signal to other free agents that the Cubs are serious about contending, which could help them pick up the pieces needed to be competitive again.
However it shakes out, it's awesome to see Lester helping the Cubs recruit. Having well-respected future Hall of Famers selling free agents on joining your team is never a bad thing. Major props to David Ross for keeping the connection and having those resources. Now, the Ricketts just need to actually open up their checkbooks. We'll see if that happens.
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