Anonymous Exec Calls Chicago Cubs 'Team to Watch' Before Offseason Ends

If the Chicago Cubs are able to make the massive splash they suggested at the beginning of the offseason, it would be one of the biggest turnarounds in perception that could have happened.

To begin, they looked completely lost.

They missed on their main free agent targets of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, then weren't aggressive enough in the trade market to land Juan Soto or Tyler Glasnow.

For an organization that promised star power, that was not the result people were looking for.

The offseason is a long period of time though, and the Cubs have been able to add solid pieces to their roster after a slow start.

Shota Imanaga in the starting rotation, Michael Busch in the field, and veteran reliever Yency Almonte for their bullpen unit.

Solid, but not anything like what Chicago's ownership and front office alluded to at the start of the offseason.

However, it seems like the Cubs are still lurking in the free agency market and many expect them to be major players in the back-half of the winter.

One anonymous MLB executive certainly thinks so as well, telling ESPN's Buster Olney he believes they will make the most impactful moves and "are the team to watch."

There are plenty of stars remaining on the market.

Cody Bellinger is a fit for obvious reasons based on his familiarity with the organization and the team's need for power and versatile defending. Matt Chapman is the best third baseman available and would address the biggest hole on this roster.

If they want to go the pitching route, they could add reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell or World Series champion Jordan Montgomery to their rotation. Chicago could also sign the best available reliever, Josh Hader, to a record-setting contract to upgrade their bullpen.

There are a lot of expectations they will land one, if not multiple, of the elite players still remaining in free agency.

Whichever direction the Cubs ultimately go will be seen.