5 Free Agents Chicago Cubs Could Pursue In Offseason

Johnson wouldn't be a flashy pickup, but that's just it; he would be an inexpensive veteran addition who could start the season at second base if the Cubs don't feel ready to put Alcantara there full time, or if Alcantara is deemed to be a center fielder moving forward based on his outfield experience in 2014.

If Cubs fans are okay with bringing in a former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, then Justin Masterson might be a sneaky good pickup. He made less than $ 10 million last season, according to Baseball Reference, and while his 2014 wasn't good (7-9, 5.88 ERA), his body of work (4.24 ERA, 7.5 strikeouts per 9 innings) suggests he might be worth a shot.

Lester was dealt by Boston to Oakland near the trade deadline and didn't miss a beat, going 6-4 (2.35) for the A's after posting a 10-7 (2.52) mark in Boston. His ERA was by far the lowest of his career (2.46 combined), so he won't come cheap. He's a far better option than Masterson but will be require several million more a season.

It's not a secret that when Russell Martin arrived in Pittsburgh, the Pirates started to significantly improve. A three-time All-Star, Martin handles pitchers very well and his .290 average and .832 OPS in 2014 were nearly career highs. Martin would solve what has been a revolving door at catcher in Chicago for many years.

If the Cubs are truly going to blow out the budget this offseason, which is by no means clear given uncertainty over the local television deal, then Detroit's Max Scherzer is the top of the class. While giving top money to a starting pitcher is risky, there's no time like the present for Scherzer, who led the AL in wins in 2013 and 2014.