Last offseason, Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell left the team to take the managerial role with the Chicago Cubs. His move was criticized for lacking loyalty, but in the end, the Brewers had the last laugh by winning the NL Central.
Now, Counsell and the Cubs are looking for a bit of payback. The best way to achieve that would be by signing top-tier free agents this winter. Perhaps even targeting former Brewers who played under Counsell, which would both weaken Milwaukee and bolster Chicago.
Fortunately for the Cubs, the upcoming free agent class offers several solid options to consider.
3. C Gary Sanchez
The first player on this list might not be a game-changer, but he fills a crucial need for the Cubs and could be acquired at a low cost. He played for Milwaukee just last season—veteran catcher Gary Sánchez.
Sánchez wasn’t a standout performer last year, but he’d still represent an upgrade for Chicago. Current Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya posted a .233/.291/.362 slash line with a FRV of -4, according to Baseball Savant. Amaya also struggled with pop time, caught stealing, and framing, with blocking being his only standout skill.
While Sánchez isn’t a massive improvement, he offers a cheap upgrade. In just under 300 plate appearances last season, he slashed .213/.301/.379 and had an FRV of -1, a slight improvement over Amaya. He’s also marginally better in pop time, caught stealing, and framing.
This doesn’t mean Amaya should be cut—he’s a talented young player. However, the Cubs need a dependable second option behind the plate. While Sánchez never played directly under Counsell in Milwaukee, he could be a valuable addition to a Cubs team that’s been seeking catching depth all season.
2. SS Willy Adames
Now let’s dive into some of the bigger-name free agents that should get Cubs fans more excited than Gary Sánchez.
First up is unrestricted free agent shortstop Willy Adames.
Adames is a true franchise shortstop with the potential to transform any lineup. This season, he slashed .252/.332/.470, hitting 32 home runs, stealing 20 bases, and driving in 111 RBIs—one of the more underrated performances across the league.
Signing Adames won’t come cheap, as Milwaukee and other teams are expected to aggressively pursue him. The Brewers may even be willing to slightly overpay to retain him, given his significant contributions to their success.
Among the position players available in free agency, Adames makes a lot of sense for the Cubs. He would bring a potent bat, valuable leadership, and a deep understanding of the NL Central’s competition.
If Chicago is serious about strengthening their roster while weakening a division rival, Willy Adames should be their top target. Adding him to Craig Counsell’s lineup could be a game-changer for the Cubs’ future.
1. SP Corbin Burnes
There were several pitching candidates considered for the final spot on this list, with players like Colin Rea standing out due to his solid season with the Brewers. However, I ultimately chose to focus on the most prominent starting pitcher on the market, former Brewer and current Baltimore Orioles ace, Corbin Burnes.
To land Burnes, the Cubs would have to make a significant financial commitment, especially given how competitive the market for him is expected to be this offseason.
Calling Burnes a game-changer for the Cubs’ rotation is an understatement. He’s not only an ace but one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. Additionally, he has a strong connection with Counsell, as he shared in an interview with FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray:
“Couns is obviously someone I was pretty close with. I talked to him a lot during this offseason. He’s someone I’ll always stay in touch with because he gave me a chance, and we developed a close bond over the years.”
The Orioles will be eager to retain Burnes, as will many other high-spending teams, but the Cubs have both the money and the need for a top-tier starter. This move could make a lot of sense and is more feasible than people might think.
For the Brewers, it would be devastating to see Burnes return to the NL Central and dominate for the Cubs every fifth day. Counsell would no doubt love to have him back in his rotation, this time in Chicago.
