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Free Agent Market Update: Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Steven Matz and Others



 Because there isn't much time left in November for teams (including the Cubs) to sign free agents before the CBA negotiations end on December 1st and most likely cause a work stoppage, I thought I'd give an update on the free agents that the Cubs have been interested in. 

We'll start with Carlos Correa, who the Cubs were connected with in rumors earlier this offseason. According to some sources, Correa will not settle for anything less than the $341M deal that Lindor had, meaning most likely even breaking that record deal. Here is the article:


That is expensive. And while the Cubs have money, they might not want to spend quite that much. They might not even have to consider it, because Correa has been having some deep talks with Tigers manager AJ Hinch, and Correa to Tigers has been the main rumor.

 

So, yeah. Good fit, I think, for Correa, and will also help the Tigers as they get close to competing. 

But that's okay with me, because now the Cubs are linked to another top-tier shortstop, like I've said before, Corey Seager. 

The asking price for Seager won't be cheap, either, but it will likely be cheaper than Correa. I'm thinking probably still in the $300M range, although probably lower $300M. Are the Cubs willing to splurge to get a solid shortstop for a few years? 

The main competitor for Seager was the Yankees, with the Rangers also being interested (but more likely to get Story), and now they seem to be backing off.


So does that mean the Cubs basically have Seager to themselves? No. The Yankees are still interested in him, and other teams are doing their homework on him as well. It simply means the Cubs now have a better chance of getting him, as long as the price is fine. I'd be happy to get Seager, he'd be such a valuable asset to the Cubs, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high.

Steven Matz was listed as a potential Cubs target, as they seem to be targeting lower-cost, higher-production pitchers, but a couple other teams are in the mix as well.


So, it's a definite possibility that the Cubs won't get Matz. That's ok with me, because I'd rather get a pitcher like Stroman or Gausman. But, we'll see!

I've mentioned Nick Castellanos as a good Cubs target, and although I still think so, he's drawing interest from a couple other teams.

 

If the Cubs don't get Castellanos, then I hope the Marlins do. They're becoming a strong team and they could definitely use a bat like Castellanos. But, I still hope the Cubs get Castellanos...

While a ton of free agents are still available, I mentioned only these because the Cubs have been already rumored to be connected with them. There is still 11 more days until December 1st, though, and there will be time after that to sign FAs, so...a lot remains to be seen.

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