Chicago Cubs rumors: Which players stay, which players go?
By Jason Parini
Free agents and options
As we mentioned earlier, the only starter from the NL Wild Card Game that is a free agent is Murphy, who the Cubs acquired at the end of August for prospect Andrew Monasterio. The remaining free agents are comprised of relief pitchers, including Jesse Chavez, Jorge de la Rosa, Jaime Garcia, and Justin Wilson.
Numerous key players will have club or player options for 2019 and will likely return, including Cole Hamels (club option), Jose Quintana (club option), Pedro Strop (club option) and Jason Heyward (player option). Reliever Brandon Kintzler also has a club option for next season.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood as a result of struggles or injuries in 2018, it’s likely that both Quintana and Hamels will have their options picked up by the Cubs for next year. Reliever Jesse Chavez could prove to be an affordable and reliable option in free agency to strengthen the pen for next season.
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The Cubs would also be foolish not to pick up Strop’s option for next year, as his reliability and consistency were crucial for much of 2018.
Of the four players with club options for 2019, Brandon Kintzler very well may be the only player whose option is not picked up by the Cubs. Kintzler saw action in just 23 games and struggled mightily. However, it’s possible that Kintzler may still return next season even if the Cubs do not pick up his $10 million team option. The 34-year old righty will have a $5 million player option if the team declines their option.
Of the remaining free agents, their return to the Cubs will largely depend on the market during the offseason. Only Justin Wilson saw considerable time in 2018 with the Cubs and he, de la Rosa, Chavez and Garcia could be sought after by other teams.
Wilson, de la Rosa, and Garcia all have years of playoff experience and are likely to be affordable options for whoever they ultimately sign with. Chavez saw his first playoff experience in 2018 but was a key addition for the Cubs playoff push.