3 Free Agents the Cubs Need to Sign This Offseason

October is here, but unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs, the 2019 campaign has ended and there will be no postseason ball. What happened to his group? With so much promise, missing the playoffs is inexcusable.

The major changes have already started, as Joe Maddon will not return as the club's manager next season. But what else needs to be done to help this team out? Come free agency, they need to be aggressive. Here's a look at three players Chicago must focus on:

3. Dellin Betances

New York Yankees v Toronto Blue Jays / Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

When healthy, there are few arms more dependable coming out of the bullpen than Dellin Betances. "When healthy," though, are the key words there. This season, Betances appeared in only one game for the Yankees. He was out with a shoulder injury and then suffered a freak torn Achilles jumping off the bump. However, he'll be a free agent and should be fully healthy by the time the new year rolls around. Was there anything more frustrating than Chicago's 'pen this past spring and summer? Adding a guy like Betances could have fans dreaming of a division title once again with some likely stability among the relievers.

2. Madison Bumgarner

Colorado Rockies v San Francisco Giants / Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

All great things come to an end, and that's exactly the case for Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants. The ace hurler is set to hit free agency, and his final game in SF this season showed he's ready to leave town and chase a championship. Enter Chicago. The Cubs are in need of a reliable starter to slide into the rotation and silence the mighty lineups in the NL Central, especially with Cole Hamels likely to go. MadBum will be among the most popular targets this offseason and he'd likely be excited to join a Cubs team that's expected to contend under new leadership.

1. Nicholas Castellanos

St Louis Cardinals v Chicago Cubs / David Banks/Getty Images

Nicholas Castellanos was traded to the Cubs in late July and most certainly made a splash with the team in his short time at Wrigley field. The slugger finished the year hitting .289 with 27 dingers and 73 RBI, and also led the MLB with 58 doubles. In his 51 games with the Cubbies, he hit .321 with 16 blasts. Those are the kinds of numbers that fire up a fanbase. After his brilliant showing with the team, they've got to bring him back, no question. He was clearly an X-factor and the front office would be fools to let him walk.