The free-agent filing season began Thursday, as scheduled, the day after the World Series ended. From the MLBPA website, here's a complete list of the 121 players who have filed for free agency.
Teams can begin talking to these players right away, but no one can be signed before Tuesday; the signing period begins at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time that day. (Please, Theo. Don't sign anyone in the middle of the night. People do have to sleep, you know.)
According to the article, another 32 players could be eligible for free agency depending on option provisions in their contracts.
We've discussed many players in the past who could be good fits for the 2015 (and beyond) Cubs. The most obvious fit is lefthander Jon Lester; catcher Russell Martin could also be an excellent addition.
But there are over 100 other available players now on the open market. The only 2014 Cubs player on the list is Carlos Villanueva, who might be worth bringing back at the right price. Incidentally, with Villanueva now a free agent, that takes one more player off the Cubs' 40-man roster, which now stands at 36. Who, if any, of the free agents do you think would be worth signing? Check out the list at the link and post your thoughts in the comments.