There aren't a whole lot of holes on this Cubs team. After all, they just won 103 games and the World Series with basically the same core. Barring another late spring training surprise, they've replaced Dexter Fowler with a combo of Jon Jay and Albert Almora, so the major need has been addressed. Their are only two positions the Cubs would like to fill -- one is a young, cost-controlled starter and the other is a closer. Neither is a have to have.

Their position player roster is overflowing with many young hitters who will be reaching AAA.

C: Willson Contreras

!B: Anthony Rizzo

2B: Ben Zobrist/Javier Baez

SS: Addison Russell

3B: Kris Bryant

LF: Kyle Schwarber

CF: Jon Jay/Albert Almora

RF: Jason Heyward

OF: Jorge Soler, Matt Szczur

IF: Tommy LaStella

C: Miguel Montero

That's 14 legitimate big league players with 6 outfielders -- not including Ben Zobrist, who should see some time in corner OF again. They have 10 to 11 starting caliber players with the platoon in CF, plus Baez and Soler. They have Ian Happ, Jeimer Candelario, Jacob Hannemann, Victor Caratini, and Mark Zagunis all expected to start at or get time at AAA.

They've also cleared five 40-man roster spots, which seems to signal they'll be somewhat active, though the front office continues to downplay the idea that the Cubs will make the same kind of impact they have for the past 2 offseasons.

It doesn't take much to unerstand that they'll be pursuing pitching. The Cubs have solid top 4, though Jon Lackey is going to be 38. Mike Montgomery is the presumptive 5th starter, though he is an unproven commodity coming off his first good season splitting between the pen and the rotation. He was invaluable out of the pen in the postseason, perhaps as important as Chapman.

The bullpen remains as an area the Cubs need to address, whether it be for a closer or just depth. In this case, the depth is the have to have and the closer would be a bonus. With Mark Melancon ready to sign with the Giants and Chapman likely returning to the Yankees or another team that is not the Cubs, that leaves Kenley Jansen. Whether the Cubs will pursue him remains to be seen. Jim Bowden of ESPN seems to think they will. My guess is they stay in the conversation and make sure they're involved in case he can be had at a price at which they feel comfortable, but they won't get into a bidding war as they did with Jon Lester and Jason Heyward. A trade for current Royals closer Wade Davis and former Royals closer Greg Holland, a free agent, are alternatives if the Cubs don't sign any of the big three. The Cubs may also choose just to keep it in house and roll the dice that Hector Rondon's health -- and with it his slider -- come back strong. Carl Edwards is thought to be the closer of the future, but the Cubs may not want to throw him in there just yet.

They will also pursue a cost-controlled pitcher. With Jake Arrieta and Jon Lackey both likely leaving after next season, the Cubs staff may center around Lester, Hendricks, and Montgomery. Adding a top young SP to that group would be ideal. As we have mentioned many times, however, everyone wants cost-controlled starting pitching, so it will always be a seller's market.

Of all the pitchers out there, Chris Archer is getting the most attention from Cubs fans/media. His youth, makeup, stuff, and contract are all perfect fits despite his sub-par 2016 season. As we have mentioned, the Cubs have all kinds of MLB ready or near ready bats they can deal -- and I think they'd be willing to deal any and all of them -- but things get complicated if the Rays demand Javier Baez, who was an invaluable cog during the regular season and the playoffs. We have seen the Red Sox (their young OFers, Yoan Moncada), Braves (Dansby Swanson), and Nationals (Trea Turner) back off on giving a valuable centerpiece for Chris Sale.

Should the Cubs do the same and back off if teams insist on Baez? I think so (and for what it's worth, I'd be stunned if the Cubs were to trade him). And that brings me to the last, but most pressing aspect of the Cubs offseason plans -- and that is depth. The Cubs were able to withstand what could have been a devastating injury to Kyle Schwarber, a declining Miguel Montero, and a poor offensive season by Jason Heyward because of their great depth and flexibility. Javier Baez was a big part of that, allowing Ben Zobrist and Kris Bryant to fill some of the gap left in the outfield.

They did not have that kind of depth in the bullpen and thus had to make a trades for Mike Montgomery and Aroldis Chapman, the two relief arms the Cubs relied on most in the offseason. As mentioned, whether they get another shut down reliever remains to be seen. I consider it a longshot. But if the Cubs can get creative, perhaps getting the Rays to include Jesus Colome -- or instead of Chris Archer, maybe the Cubs turn their attention on a deal for Sonny Gray with the hopes of getting Sean Doolittle as part of the package. Wade Davis is another attractive trade target though it's unclear whether the Royals could also trade the Cubs a starting pitcher. Yordano Ventura is a potential buy low, cost-controlled talent but may not be a great clubhouse fit and doesn't command the strike zone the way the Cubs prefer. However, a change of scenery with veteran leadership and some tutelage from Chris Bosio might help. Danny Duffy is a guy the Cubs have liked in the past and an ideal fit except that he has just one year of control remaining, though that might motivate the Royals to deal him knowing they will likely not re-sign him.

(Update: Since writing this earlier, it appears the Cubs are indeed interested in Wade Davis per Jon Morosi).

A conservative route would be to roll the dice on signing Tyson Ross, Greg Holland, and/or bring in some interesting power arms such as Daniel Hudson, Drew Storen. Boone Logan (L) and Matt Carasiti to lengthen the bullpen while giving them additional closing/late inning options. Of course, those depth options are still possibilities even if the Cubs add free agent Jansen or another big closer via trade.

Whatever happens in terms of a big signing or trade is going to be icing on the cake for what should already be the best team in baseball next year. What absolutely needs to be done, however, is to lengthen the bullpen and add depth to the rotation. Nothing takes a big team down quicker than injuries/unexpected bad performances without the depth to back it up. The Cubs have shown they have plenty of depth when it comes to position players, now they have to do the same for their pitching staff.