Chicago Cubs Increasingly Linked to Phillies' Ace in Free Agency

There's going to be a lot of moving parts for the Chicago Cubs this offseason when it officially begins.

They've repeatedly discussed impending free agent Cody Bellinger and their willingness to re-sign him.

However, there are still other areas that the Cubs need to address to ensure they become the contenders that they are set out to be.

Chicago is expected to be in the market for an ace-level pitcher.

Justin Steele turned himself into a Cy Young contender this season, but there is still an unknown if that type of production will be here to stay. Other pitchers relied on would be Jameson Taillon, who struggled in 2023, and two players coming off their rookie years.

They likely will pick up the club-option for Kyle Hendricks and Marcus Stroman could also return, but that doesn't scream a contending type of rotation.

Adding Aaron Nola would certainly change that perception.

The Philadelphia Phillies' ace will hit free agency this year and is expected to have a number of potential options.

Tim Kelly of Phillies Nation writes, "The St. Louis Cardinals haven’t been shy about their interest in Nola, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs are among the contenders who make sense as possible suitors for Nola."

The right hander has been one of the best pitchers in the MLB since making his debut in 2015.

He would increase the top-end potential of the Cubs' rotation immediately.

After it was rumored that he could see upwards of a $200 million contract this offseason, former MLB executive Jim Bowden is predicting that Nola will be signed for a five-year, $125 million deal and lists Chicago as a fit.

That would be ideal for the Cubs and is something they should aggressively pursue.