While we're all waiting for the Cubs to even the series tonight, we've got a little time to look ahead to what is a fairly crucial offseason for the Cubs organization. Obviously not looking past this postseason, but this offseason the Cubs should have extra money to spend as a result of the increase in attendance this year, as well as what will hopefully be an extended playoff run.

With the core of the Cubs offense locked in for the next few years at below market rates, the expectation is that the Cubs will be involved in the bidding for another top of the rotation type starter such as David Price or Jordan Zimmermann.

According to Jon Heyman, the Cubs do have an ace in mind to target this offseason: Jake Arrieta.

While Arrieta is under team control for another two seasons, Heyman hears that the Cubs will try to lock up their new ace to an extension now. Arrieta earned $3.63M this season and is eligible for arbitration, which will undoubtedly get expensive.

The obvious reason to think an Arrieta extension isn't happening is that he is represented by Scott Boras, who as well all know, prefers to take his clients to free agency rather than agreeing to extensions. Not to mention any lingering animosity resulting from the Kris Bryant situation this past spring.

Heyman references Arrieta's experience in Baltimore and his evolution in Chicago as reasons that he may be more agreeable to a deal. While the two sides have reportedly not had any extension talks yet, according to Heyman, Arrieta "seems to understand it wouldn't be such a bad idea to stay in Chicago".

Arrieta's development in Chicago has also had an impact on the Orioles' organization, where Heyman reports that Baltimore needs to consider changing their development approach to pitchers. Heyman quotes a rival scout who refers to Baltimore's plan as a "cookie cutter" approach where they try to teach every pitcher to throw the same way. Arrieta backs up this story, recalling how how he, Brian Matusz, Zach Britton and Chris Tillman were all given similar instructions despite being very different pitchers.

As for the Cubs other plans this winter, Heyman indicates that center field is another obvious need and has been told that the Cubs reportedly "haven't ruled out a run at Dexter Fowler", though the phrasing (boom) doesn't sound too positive. Heyman lists Austin Jackson and Denard Span as fallback options and states that Albert Almora remains "a couple years away".

Eddy Julio Martinez Still Talking to Giants?

It was reported earlier this week that Cuban free agent outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez had signed a $3M deal with the Cubs after backing out of a $2.5M agreement with the Giants.

However, Giants GM Bobby Evans said in an interview yesterday that he is still in talks with Martinez's representatives. When Evans was asked if Martinez could still sign with San Francisco, he replied "“I want to be careful not to be too presumptuous, but yeah, I think there’s still that chance.”

According to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez Tweeted that Martinez had signed his deal with the Cubs and Sanchez is usually in the know when it comes to the Latin and Caribbean markets.

Jon Heyman reports that the deal with the Cubs is not final and there is a chance he does end up with the Giants. According to Heyman, "the Cubs deal may not be final and there seems to be some hope on part of the Giants to keep him based on the first deal".

Used Yacht For Sale: Great Price

It was a Good Week/Bad Week for veteran pitcher Bronson Arroyo. The good news is that he got his 48 foot yacht back this week. The bad news is, he really needs some new friends.

Arroyo hired one of his childhood friends to be the caretaker for his yacht, The Nasty Hook, a few years back. However, the friend, Anthony Acosta, provided to be unreliable and was fired from his position. Acosta then called Arroyo and reported that he had accidentally sunk the boat in 2012.

Except he didn't.

Acosta instead stole the boat and attempted to con Arroyo out of money to salvage and repair the boat. When Arroyo refused to give him the money, Acosta moved the boat to another shipyard, forged Arroyo's signature and sold the $167K boat for $22K.

The new owners discovered a lien on the boat in Arroyo's name and contacted the pitcher to let him know they had his boat. The scam unfolded and Acosta is now in jail in Florida facing grand theft larceny and forgery charges.

Colbert: Cubs G.O.A.T

If you didn't see it, Stephen Colbert talks about the Cubs and their curse on The Late Show this week. Colbert attended Northwestern and spent 11 years living in Chicago, including his time at Second City.