CHICAGO -- The offseason has begun in earnest as the Chicago Cubs attempt to improve on a 97-win season that ended with a loss in the National League Championship Series. Here are 10 storylines to watch this winter:
10. Sammy Sosa: After a playoff run that included several former players participating in pre- and in-game ceremonies, will this be the winter the Cubs and Sosa bury the hatchet? The ball seems to be in owner Tom Ricketts' court, though he mysteriously insists there’s work to be done on Sosa’s end of the impasse. Once again, the fan convention in January would be a perfect time to reintroduce Sosa to Cubs nation.
9. Front-office extensions: It's a fait accompli president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and his staff will receive contract extensions before their deals run out at the end of 2016, so it’s only a matter of when it happens and for how much. There's always a chance of a snag when it comes to multimillion dollar deals, but both Epstein and Ricketts have claimed they’re not worried about getting a new deal done. Unlike lame duck managers, it's not imperative an extension is struck before Opening Day, but there’s a good chance it will be.
8. Wrigley renovation: The Cubs are on pace to open what Epstein has described as the second-largest clubhouse in baseball on Opening Day in 2016. It's part of Phase II of the multiyear renovation and restoration of Wrigley Field, and it’s the project with the biggest impact for players, who will get more space and a batting cage they can access during games.
7. Miguel Montero: There's been no indication Montero will be moved, but the Cubs might consider handing the catching job to incoming second-year player Kyle Schwarber. It would be a lot to ask of the 2014 first-round pick, but a Montero trade would free up money while allowing Schwarber to be mentored more by David Ross, who has one year left on his deal. The Cubs would need to make a commitment to Schwarber behind the plate. Are they ready to do so?
6. Jake Arrieta: There's little doubt the Cubs and star pitcher Jake Arrieta will have a conversation about a long-term deal this winter, but how far those talks advance remains to be seen. On the surface, it seems doubtful a deal will be struck now, especially considering Arrieta has two more seasons before hitting the free-agent market and the Cubs have budget concerns in the short term. Plus, they might want to devote all available dollars this winter to new pitching. A back-loaded deal is always possible, as Epstein has often pointed to new-found money coming in 2019 due to a new television package. Either way, Arrieta will get a substantial raise from his 2015, $3.63 million salary, but don't count on an extension this winter.
5. Center field/Leadoff: It’s likely free agent Dexter Fowler is moving on, so the Cubs will need to fill voids at the top of the lineup and in center field. Does that come from within or in some other one-year stop-gap form? With an excess of position players -- some becoming interchangeable on defense -- they could go the untraditional route. Kris Bryant could see time in center, while Schwarber could lead off, for example. Bryant did it a couple of times last season, but those are outside-the-box ideas, especially Schwarber batting first for any length of time. And then there is Javier Baez. There’s some feeling he has the ability play center and might see time there in spring training. In any case, there’s a good chance that how the Cubs start next season in center field and at the leadoff spot won't be the way they finish. Remember, they still have 2012 first-round pick Albert Almora waiting in the wings, but he has to show he can make it at the plate.
4. Arbitration: The Cubs haven't gone to arbitration with any of their players since Epstein took over in 2011. It doesn't happen often in baseball, as players usually settle on one-year deals. They have seven arbitration-eligible players, led by Arrieta, but closer Hector Rondon should get a nice salary bump, as will Chris Coghlan and Pedro Strop. This winter could mark the end of Travis Wood's time as a Cub. His $5.686 million pre-arbitration salary is steep for a reliever, which means the team might not tender him a contract, making him a free agent. He could still re-sign with the Cubs at a reduced cost. Others who could go to arbitration include pitchers Justin Grimm and Clayton Richard.
3. Trades: Though nothing can ever be ruled out, don’t expect Schwarber, Bryant, Anthony Rizzo or Addison Russell to be moved this offseason. That leaves Jorge Soler, Starlin Castro, Baez and others as potential bait to bring in young pitching. The Cubs tried for youngsters Tyson Ross and Carlos Carrasco midseason when their respective teams were out of the race, but it might be harder to acquire young pitching as everyone is 0-0 right now. It’s why a talent like Soler could be moved.
2. Free-agent pitching: The biggest decision might be whether to go all-in for David Price -- or even Zack Greinke -- or spend about half that amount on a second-tier guy like Jordan Zimmermann. There’s also a good chance the Cubs offer a one-year deal to someone -- think Jeff Samardzija -- trying to rebuild his attractiveness for a long-term deal. The Cubs will likely attempt to do both, as they know they were caught short-handed in the rotation at season’s end while tiptoeing through the year without much depth at that position.
1. Who’s the guy? What is that one move that will make the Cubs' offseason? Last year, the pursuit and signing of Jon Lester became the team’s signature winter player acquisition. In beating out top organizations like the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants, the Cubs sent a signal that they were saying goodbye to rebuilding and hello to winning. Will this year’s version involve the same thing -- the signing of a big-name free-agent pitcher -- or will it be a megadeal for a younger player? There’s likely at least one big move to be made as the Cubs continue their pursuit of a long-awaited championship.