Cubs Division Rivals Targeting Ace in Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs have a big offseason ahead as they try to build themselves into a contender. Their division rival is trying to do the same and are targeting one of the top pitchers available in free agency.

A lot of focus and attention will be on the Chicago Cubs trying to build themselves into a perennial playoff contender after coming up just short this season.

But while organizations preach focusing on what they need to do inside their own building, it's also smart to keep an eye out on what other teams are doing.

Especially a division rival who will desperately try to avoid the disaster of a season they just had in 2023.

The Cubs' rival St. Louis Cardinals will also be looking to get themselves off the mat after finishing last in the division for the first time since the NL Central was created.

To avoid that, the Cardinals are reportedly targeting one of the top pitchers in free agency who had been previously linked to Chicago.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, they will be pursuing Aaron Nola of the Philadelphia Phillies and Sonny Gray of the Minnesota Twins.

Nola was previously thought to be a potential target of the Cubs this offseason considering there could have been some turnover on their starting staff.

With the emergence of Chicago's two rookies, Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks, plus Marcus Stroman expected to opt-into his contract, it's likely that they will no longer pursue big named starting pitchers in free agency.

However, it would be smart for the front office to monitor what St. Louis does as they try to get their own team back into the postseason.

It's rare that the Cardinals aren't competing for a spot in the MLB Playoffs.

The Cubs weren't able to capitalize on the down year of their division rivals.

If they land one or two of these pitching targets, it will make it that much more difficult for Chicago to secure a spot in the postseason.