Are Cubs Out on Top Free Agents After Signing Japanese Ace?
The Chicago Cubs have needed to find an elite starting pitcher after losing Marcus Stroman to free agency following his opt out this offseason. Having a solid foundation with three quality starting pitchers (Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Kyle Hendricks), the Cubs filled that gap with Shota Imanaga.
After acquiring Imanaga, the Cubs are likely out on starting pitcher free agents, such as Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Before signing Imanaga, the front office in Chicago had been pretty dormant.
Snell has been a heavy favorite for a few other teams, besides the Cubs, for a while now. The New York Yankees have been a clear contender for Snell since the beginning, along the Los Angles Dodgers. The Los Angles Angels have also been rumored heavily throughout the offseason as well.
Snell would be a more than adequate addition to the Yankees roster, especially after Carlos Rodon's injuries this past season and rough couple starts when he did return. Gerrit Cole with the Yankees won the AL Cy Young award, to add another Cy Young pitching duo to your rotation means some serious business, something New York may do to keep pace with the AL East competition.
The Dodgers have shown that they are not afraid to spend money and find ways to keep spending more. After losing Clayton Kershaw to free agency, the Dodger's were on the hunt for starting pitching this offseason, signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for over a combined $1 billion and trading for Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays. It would only make sense for them to sign Snell.
Montgomery hasn't shown much interest in the Cubs this offseason and after closing in on a deal with Imanaga, it is unlikely the front office will pursue Montgomery. The Yankees have also shown interest in Montgomery, being that he previous spent six seasons (17-22) with the organization. The Texas Rangers are seen as the clear favorite for Montgomery though. He won the World Series last season with the club and he is said to really enjoy Texas.
The Cubs still need to address in the outfield and the corner infield, but they got the wheels moving with Imanaga.
