MLBTR Free Agent Predictions: Who's Ready For The Cubs To Sign Another Pitcher Coming Back From Surgery?!

The non-pursuit of Bryce Harper (or anyone good) in the 2018-19 offseason has broken my optimism writing about free agency in relation to the Cubs. Let's just say things aren't getting better. The Cubs are in a weird spot, as much of their core is one year away from free agency and for the third straight offseason Theo Epstein has strongly hinted at much-needed changes coming. We haven't seen much change on the offensive side the last two years, but now more than ever before the thought of a major trade at least seems more likely. There's also the no spending big money thing. One last reminder that Daniel Descalso's two-year deal from the 2018-19 offseason is the last multi-year, free agent contract given to a position player by the Cubs. I mean, the Cubs were already not spending on needed upgrades in free agency and then a pandemic hit in 2020 that hurt all MLB teams and there's still uncertainty about what the economics of the sport will look like in 2021. So yeah, not exactly looking forward to this offseason because expectations are at an all-time low for the Cubs. Yes, I'm exaggerating, but damn this is going to be the third consecutive winter of the Cubs being a complete non-factor in free agency in a time when they were supposed to be competing for rings. Anyway, MLBTR released its annual top-50 free agent predictions and hey, the Cubs didn't get shutout! Coming in at No. 50... CHRIS ARCHER! How exciting. Here's the analysis from Tim Dierkes.

Chris Archer: Cubs.  One year, $4MM. Archer had a strong run of five-plus seasons for the Rays.  He tantalized with a fifth-place Cy Young finish in 2015 as a 26-year-old, but his results never quite matched his peripheral stats in the ensuring seasons.  At the 2018 trade deadline, the Rays sent Archer to the Pirates for Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Shane Baz, a lopsided deal that may live in infamy.  For the Pirates, Archer delivered 172 innings of 4.92 ball, missing all of 2020 due to June surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.   Even at age 32, Archer is a starting pitcher teams can dream on a little bit if his recovery goes well.

Hand up, I thought Chris Archer was going to rebound with the Pirates. Whoops, I was dead wrong about that one and then he missed 2020 after surgery to address neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. Basically had nerve issues between his shoulder and neck. But hey, as I'll say with all of these types of signings, why not? At the same time, my initial thought looking at the $4 million contract prediction was, that's probably too pricey for the Cubs, which LOL!!! Unless the Cubs shed more payroll, I'd only expect a bunch of minor league signings again. Here's the full list of the top-50 free agents from MLBTR.