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Javy B谩ez? Kris Bryant? Willson Contreras? Kyle Hendricks?"When Theo Epstein got to Chicago he committed to a multiple-year rebuild of the Chicago Cubs that went exactly according to plan. The Cubs sold off aging talent Cameron Maybin Jersey , lost a lot of games, accumulated draft picks, and, implausibly, hit on almost all of them. That set up the Cubs with an outstanding young core of players that has had a lot of early success. However, fans have known that the day was coming when the Cubs would have to decide which players to try to lock up at or before free agency and which players would finish their careers somewhere else.Simultaneously for the last two years the free agent market has moved at a glacial pace. As I’ve written before, the vast majority of free agents haven’t come close to deals that market watchers predicted they would get heading into free agency. It seemed inevitable that something would have to give, and on Tuesday something did.No, there hasn’t been a flood of free agent signings. Despite Manny Machado signing a record contract with the Padres of this writing, Bryce Harper, Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel and 40 other MLB free agents remain unsigned. But there has been a flurry of contract news in baseball this week, with Aaron Hicks, Nolan Arenado and Miles Mikolas all signing early contract extensions at or below market value with their current teams. It would appear that staring down the barrel of a very uncertain future in free agency is unappealing to many of baseball’s biggest stars. I’ll have a piece later this week on what the wave of extensions means from a player relations standpoint, but as I saw the deals come across my Twitter feed I couldn’t help but wonder, which Cubs players would I most want to see signed to an extension? The Cubs core at a glanceFor the purposes of this piece I focused on the 11 Cubs who are under 30 for the 2019 season who will hit free agency between 2021 and 2024. Eight of those players are position players and three are pitchers. I wanted to get a look at more than a single season so I compiled key stats from 2016-2018 for each player. You can take a look at the hitters’ key stats in the chart below: Hitters key stats 2016-2018NameAgeGPAHRBB%K%BABIPAVGOBPSLGwOBAwRC+WARSigned ThroughNameAgeGPAHRBB%K%BABIPAVGOBPSLGwOBAwRC+WARSigned ThroughSelected stats for Cubs players from 2016-2018FangraphsThe three Cubs pitchers who met the above criteria are Kyle Hendricks, Mike Montgomery and Carl Edwards Jr. Admittedly stat comparisons between starters and relievers are imperfect, but you can get a look at their stats below as well:Pitchers key stats 2016-2018PlayerAgeGSIPK%BB%HR/9BABIPLOB%GB%HR/FBERAFIPxFIPWARSigned throughPlayerAgeGSIPK%BB%HR/9BABIPLOB%GB%HR/FBERAFIPxFIPWARSigned throughSelect stats for Cubs pitchers from 2016-2018FangraphsDespite their age some of these players don’t really seem to have contract extensions in their future unless circumstances changed substantially (I’m looking at you, Addison Russell). But there are more than a few players here where an extension could make sense, so let’s take a closer look at some possible contract extension candidates below.Kris BryantWhen I originally wrote this I was sure this was a long shot. After all, there have already been rumors about the Cubs trying to extend Kris Bryant, although those rumors have been officially denied by both sides. Despite the current pace of free agency all signs pointed to Bryant wanting to test the market: His agent is Scott Boras and he’s already won an MVP award. Oh, and then there is the little matter of service time manipulation.The Cubs deliberately held Bryant in the minors exactly the right amount of time to ensure another year of team control and no, the Cubs star third baseman hasn’t forgotten about any of that as Sahadev Sharma reported on Monday:And then late last night Cubs Insider reported that Bryant would “absolutely be interested in a Nolan Arenado type deal:Don’t worry about the Boras piece too much, there was more:Is it possible that Bryant would agree to an extension with the Cubs? I am a lot more optimistic about that deal now than I was yesterday morning. However, any extension Bryant would take will probably look a lot like the 8-year $260 million deal the Rockies just signed with Arenado. A deal like that would make almost every other deal on this page a moot point.Anthony RizzoAnthony Rizzo signed a team-friendly deal with the Cubs that will leave the face of the Cubs a free agent for the 2022 season (the Cubs have team options for 2020 and 2021 that they will almost certainly exercise). When his deal expires he will be 32 years old, and while that might make some analytically minded folks worry a bit about aging curves and the like I worry a bit less about him falling off a cliff at first base than I would at some other positions.In 2017 Al outlined a possible deal the Cubs could offer to extend Rizzo and I would love to seem them try to work this out and keep him in Cubbie blue for the rest of his career:Javier B谩ezJavy B谩ez had a career year in 2018 and came in second in MVP voting. He’s always had a special glove and bat but everything came together for the Cubs’ middle infielder last season. He hasn’t shown nearly the consistency that Rizzo has demonstrated, but if his 2019 comes close to what he demonstrated in 2018 it would certainly be worthwhile to see if that Cubs can lock up his supernatural tagging and sliding ability long-term.Interestingly B谩ez is represented by Wasserman, that’s the same agency that represents Nolan Arenado. I would have to imagine a long-term deal for Javy would look something like the deal that Aaron Hicks just signed with the Yankees for 7 years/$70 million, though likely for more money, maybe seven years and $100 million. Willson ContrerasContreras was the starting catcher in the 2018 All Star Game but struggled down the stretch. He has approximately two and a half major league seasons under his belt and has put together an above average wRC+ of 113 during that time despite the slump.In fact, by fWAR he’s been the fifth most valuable catcher in baseball since 2016 behind J.T. Realmuto, Yasmani Grandal, Buster Posey and Gary Sanchez. The Cubs have been interested in extending Contreras before and in November Sharma reported that Contreras turned down a contract extension prior to the 2018 season:Good-hitting catchers are hard to find and while Willson has struggled with framing at times, I would think the Cubs might take another run at locking up their backstop long-term, especially if he gets off to a hot start in 2019. Given the changing free agent market I’d imagine Willson would be open to such a deal. The details of that deal are a bit harder to work out. Buster Posey signed an eight-year, $159 million deal in 2013, but he put up numbers that were both more consistent and more productive than Willson’s first two and a half seasons with the Cubs. I would imagine that a deal to sign Contreras long-term would look more like the team friendly deal Rizzo signed for 7 years/$41 million, again perhaps for more money, maybe seven years/$65 million.Kyle SchwarberSince he arrived in 2015 there have been rumors that Schwarber is destined for the American League where he can be a designated hitter and not have to worry about playing left field. But times change. The former Cubs catcher went out and made great improvements in his fielding and now there are rumors that the DH could be coming to the National League. After struggling at the start of 2017 Schwarber has put together solid offensive numbers bolstered by a strong on base percentage and a wRC+ of 115. If 2019 is a breakout year for his bat it may make sense to try and lock up Schwarber long term. Kyle HendricksAll he does is get guys out. Quietly, unassumingly, game after game of getting guys out. Kyle Hendricks will never throw 95 miles per hour, but he doesn’t have to because he relies on a plus change up and a mastery of location. This is part of why I think Kyle Hendricks may deserve an extension, that pitch is not going to lose effectiveness the same way some of these 98 mph fastballs will, and Kyle has just quietly kept getting guys out. As Fansided noted in 2017:I don’t think Kyle Hendricks is Greg Maddux Lewis Brinson Jersey , but he’s exactly the type of pitcher who will continue to make the right adjustments as he ages and I imagine he’s already getting suggestions from teammates Jon Lester and Cole Hamels regularly. He’ll be 30 years old when he’s eligible for free agency and if I were the Cubs I wouldn’t hesitate to extend him four or five years beyond that. Who fits the Indians and who fits the payroll?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections NewsAnalysis & EditorialsCleveland Indians prospects & minor leaguesGame RecapsTransactionsAnalysis & EditorialsAssessing the Indians' free agent marketNew,91commentsWho fits the Indians and who fits the payroll?Ottavino (33): 20.6, 2.7 years/$10m, 3.63/3.57, 11.38, 0.5Daniel Murphy (33): 24.7, 2 years/$11.3m, .286/.338/.463, 114, 2.4Adrian Beltre (39): 46.6, 1 year/$12m, .259/.320/.419, 100, 2.2For the most part, this list includes the best players the Tribe could possibly get, as they obviously are not reaching for Bryce Harper or Manny Machado or any top starters. As indicated, it seems a pretty long shot any of these guys actually wind up in Cleveland without the team cutting salary in a big way elsewhere.Donaldson is perhaps the most likely, but the only way he comes back to Cleveland is if he takes a one-year bumper deal, and even that will likely price the Indians out of the running. With an injury history similar to Donaldson, Pollock is also likely too pricy for the risk-averse Tribe front office. Daniel Murphy was mentioned by Bowden as a great fit for Cleveland as a first baseman with some defensive flexibility, but Cleveland has two first basemen making more next year than the projected two-year cost of Murphy (Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso will make $29.67m in 2019 combined), so I don’t see it as a fit.Eovaldi was confusingly mentioned by Bowden as a fit, but I don’t see them giving him the money he has earned just to be a bullpen arm in Cleveland. Likewise, Adam Ottavino is the best pen arm available and will likely earn his wage elsewhere.The last name on here, Beltre, is a long-term dream of mine, as he’s Mike Napoli 2.0: a clubhouse presence that is actually good at baseball. But he’s long indicated a desire to retire in Texas, so I imagine if he comes back he’ll still be a Ranger.Less likelyAndrew McCutchen (32): 13.9, 3 years/$14.7m, .265/.363/.461, 124, 2.6Zach Britton (31): 27.6, 3 years/$12.3m, 3.01/3.24, 8.76, 0.2Joe Kelly (30): 32.4, 2.7 years/$8m, 3.48/3.54, 9.91, 0.2Jeurys Familia (29): 31.7, 2.7 years/$10.3m, 3.49/3.49, 9.69, 0.6Steve Pearce (35): 45.6, 1year/$7m http://www.marlinsfanproshop.com/authentic-starlin-castro-jersey , .258/.337/.459, 116, 1.2Tony Sipp (35): 48.6, NA, 3.97/.4.10, 9.39, 0.0Bud Norris (34): 49.1, 2 years/$12m, 3.90/3.91, 9.55, 0.1This tier has two distinct groups: very good players the Indians would love at a discounted price and guys who are too old. Interestingly, the highest-ranked player in the group is both.McCutchen might have been a nice addition to Cleveland a year or two ago, but at age 32 (which is just over the line to “too old”), declining, and likely commanding a multi-year deal, I’d be surprised if the Indians even extended an offer. Britton, Kelly, and Familia would each likely settle any bullpen questions on their own, but only Familia is under 30 (and only just) and each is likely to price themselves out of range.As for Pearce, Sipp, and Norris, somehow Norris is the youngest even though he acts like a petulant 60-year-old. After reading about his role in Mike Matheny’s clubhouse, I think the Indians would be quite wise to steer clear of his old-school attitude. Pearce, meanwhile, will get a deal befitting a 35-year-old World Series MVP, and that won’t come from Cleveland, whereas the Indians would likely rather see what Tyler Olson has than spend on another lefty reliever like Sipp.NeutralMichael Brantley (31): 8.4, 3 years/$14.3m, .287/.350/.449, 117, 2.6Marwin Gonzalez (30): 21.4, 3.3 years/$10.7m, .259/.326/.426, 103, 1.7David Robertson (33): 21.8, 2.3 years/$10.7m, 3.32/3.26, 11.22, 0.8Andrew Miller (33): 25.6, 2 years/$10m, 3.07/3.07, 11.5, 0.6Nick Markakis (35): 31.4, 2 years/$10m, .271/.348/.399 J. T. Realmuto Jersey , 103, 1.1Cody Allen (30): 42.9, 2 years/$8.5m, 3.91/3.92, 10.32, 0.2Joakim Soria (34): 43.1, 2 years/$8.5m, 3.58/3.63, 9.58, 0.4Jesse Chavez (35): 44, 1.5 years/$5m, 3.85/3.86, 8.84, 0.1Lonnie Chisenhall (30): 49.7, NA, .256/3.19/.414, 98, 0.6I’ve lumped all the former Indians as neutral because I think the front office legitimately would like them back (they said as much to Brantley) and might go a bit farther in negotiating than they would with other team’s free agents. That said, the money out there, for Brantley and Miller in particular, will likely push those guys to new locations. As for the other players, they are perfect fits for the team but also perfect fits for other teams, including those who might have a little more flexibility financially. Gonzalez would be my top target, but what team would not want him? Jose Altuve referred to him as “the savior.” He’s going to get a contract similar to Ben Zobrist (4 years/$56m in 2016), and that’s pretty rich for Cleveland. Robertson is also a great fit as someone who can fill the amorphous role of back-end reliever without needing to be a closer, but even though he’s representing himself (or perhaps because he is) I think he will get paid in line with other closers, as teams value relief differently than in past years. Markakis has 2,237 career hits, which is sixth among active players (depending on how active Beltre and Ichiro are next year), he’s consistently healthy, and his defense ain’t bad either (0 outs above average in 2018, which would be an improvement for Cleveland). Going into his age-35 season he’s unlikely to get a big deal, so the Tribe could make a pitch, but he just seems likelier to stay in Atlanta.As for Soria and Chavez, both would be solid additions, but they seem likely to stay with their current teams as well. Milwaukee and Chicago, respectively, made the most of their arms after acquiring them and both sides might feel comfortable with a reunion, whereas the Indians might feel more comfortable using in-house (i.e., cheaper) options.Somewhat LikelyAdam Jones (33): 36.3, 1.3 years/$9.3m, .266/.306/.428, 97, 1.2Kelvin Herrera (29): 37.4, 1.7 years/$9.3m http://www.marlinsfanproshop.com/authentic-starlin-castro-jersey , 3.88/3.81, 8.91, 0.1Carlos Gonzalez (33): 47, 1 year/$7m, .249/.313/.433, 100, 1.1I suppose you could also call this tier my “Realistic Wish List.” Each of these guys is expected to sign a one-year deal by most observers and each has an annual value less than $10m. They’re in the free agent purgatory that held down value last year, and that means they’re ripe for the Tribe’s taking.Jones is the highest ranked, but maybe my least favorite of the trio. His power started declining last year and his defense continued to slide, which makes him an awkward fit: without defense he’s not an obvious center fielder, but he lacks the pop to have a lot of value in a corner. The question is whether he’s in a decline that puts him out of baseball in a couple years or if he’s a rebound candidate. Is that a ~$9m gamble the Indians can afford?Herrera is a little different because of his age, but he has long-term issues with a declining ground ball-to-fly ball ratio and, subsequently, increasing home run rates (14.8% HR/FB). His velocity was down a couple ticks last year but fastball was still top 50 among relievers (0.94 wFB/C) and his curve was fourth best (3.92 wCB/C) among those with at least 40 innings. Assuming the foot injury he sustained in September is nothing too serious, he’s a potentially stellar buy-low candidate to bulk up the Tribe pen.Gonzalez is kind of like Jones plus one year. After a poor performance while earning $20m in 2017, he took a big hit last year in the form of a 1-year, $5m deal. He rebounded, somewhat, but still clocked in slightly below average offensively with a 96 wRC+ in 2018. Unlike Jones, Gonzalez has maintained his defensive value (2 outs above average) and was the most valuable defender in the Rockies’ outfield last year. For less of an investment, but similar projected returns, Gonzalez might be a better gamble for the Indians than Jones, though he is much less desirable than some other available (but pricy) outfielders. Beyond the free agents ranked by the punditry are guys like Matt Adams, Ryan Flaherty, Brad Miller, Logan Morrison, Gerardo Parra, Matt Szczur, or Neil Walker, veterans trying to extend their careers who could be signed to a minor league contract with a spring training invite and an opt-out. These are deals the Indians love, the kind that they ink regularly. Some relievers that fit the bill include Louis Coleman, Javy Guerra, Chris Hatcher, Greg Holland, Jim Johnson, Fernando Salas, or Drew Storen.This is the Tribe’s reality, why the outfield has been a quagmire and why guys like Kluber are reportedly being discussed in trade talks. Cleveland has to add to the roster to improve, and if it has to come through free agency the team will seek the most value, which comes in the form older players other teams are looking past that may still have some life left in them. The Indians absolutely will bet on some free agents, maybe not guys in the lower rankings like Herrera or Gonzalez, but certainly players who will take a minor league deal. Hopefully there’s value at the bottom of the barrel.