Top three areas the Cubs need to address in free agency

The Cubs are expected to shake up their roster this offseason, and part of that turnover likely will come via free agency. Here are the three biggest needs the Cubs must address during the offseason.

Starting-pitching depth

Ideal fit: Marcus Stroman, RHP

With right-hander Tyler Chatwood and left-hander Jose Quintana hitting the free-agent market this week and the Cubs still undecided on left-hander Jon Lester’s future, it leaves a lot of innings to fill in the rotation. Enter right-hander Marcus Stroman, who has been one of the more sought-after pitchers in baseball in the last few seasons.

Stroman, 29, was 10-13 with a 3.22 ERA in 2019, but he missed the 2020 season with a torn muscle in his left calf.

Stroman has pitched 180 innings or more three times and has shown the ability not only to be an innings-eater but also to be the ace of a staff. The Cubs wouldn’t need him to carry the rotation, but he would slot in as a perfect No. 3 behind right-handers Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks. Not only would he help the Cubs right away, but he’s also young enough to be a long-term contributor on the staff.

Stroman is one of the best starting pitchers available this winter, and landing him would give the Cubs a strong trio heading into the 2021 season. There still would be a slot in the rotation for Lester, provided the Cubs decide to bring him back, and likely for right-hander Adbert Alzolay.

Other potential targets: Jake Odorizzi, Robbie Ray, Taijuan Walker, Anthony DeSclafani

High-contact position player

Ideal fit: DJ LeMahieu, INF

Well, well, well. Look who it is. The one who got away.

While trading DJ LeMahieu might be Theo Epstein’s biggest mistake as the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, LeMahieu fits a need the team has had for the last few seasons. The Cubs’ inability to make contact in key moments was exposed during the 2020 regular season and was even more pronounced in their disappointing playoff-series loss to the Marlins.

‘‘Contact is hugely important,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘It shows up a lot in October, as well, against the kind of pitching that you face. Productive contact hitters are at a premium, and it is important that we continue to integrate that into our lineup.

‘‘Contact is an important part of the foundation. I think you attack that by trying to bring in guys from outside who have a strong foundation of contact and can bring that to the table and also by continuing to make adjustments.’’

Contact merely for the sake of putting the ball in play isn’t what the Cubs are looking for. They want someone who not only can control the strike zone but also do damage.

LeMahieu, 32, silenced those who doubted he could be a productive player outside of Coors Field. In his two seasons with the Yankees, he showed he could continue to hit for average, as he did with the Rockies, while also showing some good power. He had a .536 slugging percentage in his two seasons with the Yankees.

While LeMahieu is listed as a second baseman, he played all around the diamond for the Yankees. There’s not a clear fit for LeMahieu with the Cubs right now, and adding him likely would mean other roster moves would have to be made to make it work. But his strengths address one of the Cubs’ major weaknesses.

Other potential targets: Kolten Wong, Tommy La Stella

Bullpen help

Ideal fit: Jeremy Jeffress

Where would the Cubs have been in 2020 without Jeremy Jeffress? Jeffress took the reins from closer Craig Kimbrel amid his early-season struggles and stabilized the back end of the Cubs’ bullpen. Jeffress was more than solid when called upon, putting together a season that saw him go 4-1 with a 1.54 ERA and eight saves.

Jeffress showed he still could get outs in high-leverage situations, even with a drop in velocity. There are bigger names available in the reliever market, such as Brad Hand, a surprise addition to this free-agent class. But for where the Cubs are in their competitive window and with their financial outlook likely calling for a decrease in spending, Jeffress seems to be the Cubs’ speed.

Other potential targets: Blake Treinen, Ken Giles