Chicago Cubs Q&A: Can they still win the NL Central? What will they do with the $59 million in savings from the Yu Darvish trade? And can new announcer Jon Sciambi pitch?

The Tribune’s Mark Gonzales answers readers’ questions about whether the Chicago Cubs can win the National League Central, how they might spend the savings from the Yu Darvish trade and Jon Sciambi’s pitching ability.

Can the Cubs actually still win the division? — Mark B.

Believe it or not, they can. Here’s how.

They add a free-agent starter who can pitch at least 160 innings (Jon Lester?), as well as a pitcher who can start and relieve. Adbert Alzolay resumes the success he displayed in his final two appearances and stays healthy, which equates to about 150 innings. It might not be reasonable to expect more innings because he never has thrown more than 120 1/4 u2153 innings in a professional season.

Rowan Wick rebounds from his oblique injury and fills Jeremy Jeffress’ late-inning role, and Craig Kimbrel regains the closer’s role.

Oh, the pitcher who can start and relieve? That could be prized left-hander Brailyn Marquez, but his promotion wouldn’t occur until after the All-Star break.

The bullpen remains fluid, but Ross maintains his knack of using the right relievers at the right times.

The biggest reason why the Cubs could win the division would stem largely from a rebound from the offense to near its 2017 levels. Their 223 home runs that season were one shy of the league high, and I would suspect Javier Baez, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo would return close to their power norms. Ian Happ could emerge as a pillar of the franchise.

The team’s contact rate and situational hitting remain as issues, and they would improve mostly by an acquisition.

And that is the problem. If you address the need for a contact hitter (and other areas) by trading Willson Contreras, then you need to add two catchers — as well as replace one of the best in the game.

Despite batting a career-low .243 in 2020, Contreras still posted a .356 on-base percentage and was one of the few hitters who made adjustments by hitting to the opposite field late in the season.

The five teams in the National League Central have offensive flaws, with the Cincinnati Reds and Cubs possessing the highest ceiling for improvement with their rosters. The St. Louis Cardinals are in the best position from a starting pitching standpoint, but they were 27th in the majors in slugging percentage last season.

Not much has been said about the role of Alec Mills entering 2021. I guess everyone is under the assumption he’ll be even better? — Mark H., Antioch

After toiling in Triple A for most of four seasons (2016-19), Mills made the most of his 60-game season in 2020. There were some struggles, but he did well for the most part. Ross and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy had more confidence in Mills than most observers entering the season and didn’t buy into the piggyback role some suggested was best for Mills.

Mills knows he needs to improve against left-handed batters — who hit .275 with 10 home runs and an .888 OPS in 151 plate appearances — but his issues can be corrected. He has a sharp breaking ball to both sides of the plate, so he has a chance to provide 28 starts and 170 innings. Remember that most teams will need more than five pitchers and could opt for a six-man rotation during long stretches if teams play a 162-game schedule.

I know the farm system was restocked with four players from the Padres, but where do the Cubs need to make greater inroads? — Jeff S., Bolingbrook

Corner infield, starting pitching, outfield.

The Cubs are big on versatility, so the corner-infield issue might not be so acute because shortstops often are moved to other positions if their range or arm strength is deemed not exceptional enough to stay there.

Third baseman Christopher Morel played exceptionally well at the South Bend alternate site last summer, and he’s working out at shortstop and the outfield. Alfonso Rivas, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Tony Kemp after the 2019 season, can play the outfield as well as first base.

Rivas, 24, doesn’t have the power of the prototypical first baseman, but he is the type of contact hitter the Cubs are looking for. He could be ready for the majors in 2022.

The Cubs have plenty of starting pitcher candidates, but getting more frontline options such as Marquez would enhance their chances down the road. There’s plenty of hope for Cory Abbott, Kohl Franklin and Ryan Jensen, and Tyson Miller pitched better in his second major-league appearance.

The upside is huge for 2020 third-round draft pick Jordan Nwogu. But there’s a gap between him and top outfield prospects Brennen Davis and Cole Roederer.

What will the Cubs do with the $59 million in savings from the Yu Darvish trade? — Spike R., Glenview

I would envision that about one-third will be earmarked toward the 2021 payroll. My sense is pitcher Zach Davies, one of five players the San Diego Padres sent to the Cubs for Darvish and backup catcher Victor Caratini, probably will earn at least $7 million as an arbitration-eligible player.

The remaining money could go to a free-agent pitcher on a one-year deal, giving the Cubs flexibility to trade that pitcher at midseason if they’re out of postseason contention.

The remaining money could be earmarked for another free agent or spread throughout their player-personnel budget. Louie Eljaua, director of international operations, is expected to sign Dominican shortstop Cristian Hernandez, one of the top players in the MLB international draft who has drawn comparisons with Alex Rodriguez and could earn a $3.5 million bonus, according to multiple reports.

Eljaua is one of the unsung heroes of the organization who has signed the likes of shortstop Gleyber Torres and outfielders Jorge Soler and Eloy Jimenez with the Cubs and Miguel Cabrera while working for the Miami Marlins.

Can new Cubs broadcaster Jon Sciambi pitch? — Scott W., Glenview

During Sciambi’s Zoom chat with reporters, he indicated he was a catcher in high school but failed to make the team at Boston College. No shame in not making the varsity, as the Eagles program has produced major-league catchers Tony Sanchez (the fourth pick in the 2009 draft) and Mike Roarke, who went on to help Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter as Cubs pitching coach in the 1970s.

Sciambi’s new distinction with the Cubs elevates him near the top of Regis High School (NY) alumni who include Dr. Anthony Fauci.

I think Jim Deshaies might have a few innings left in that left arm.

How does the Francisco Lindor trade affect the Cubs’ dealings with Javier Baez? — Phil C., Evanston

I don’t think it will affect the Cubs immediately unless Lindor signs an extension with the Mets.

That contract could provide a measuring stick for the Cubs and Baez. The sides were making progress on an extension before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down baseball in mid-March, according to a source.

There’s a great debate as to who is the best shortstop out of a deep free-agent class after next season: Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros, Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies, Lindor or Baez.

Baez has expressed his comfort with the Cubs numerous times, but I can’t see him or the other potential free-agent shortstops taking a hometown discount. The players association likely would cringe if anyone did this.

As is with everything in baseball, teams are waiting for clarity on their budgets, the COVID-19 vaccine and when local governments might allow them to reopen ballparks and at what capacity.

Because the Indians are in a payroll-shaving mode, they won’t be in the market for a big-ticket shortstop of Baez’s caliber. They still manage to do a great job of developing homegrown starting pitching — thus eliminating the need to shop for free agents.

I still think we’ll continue to hear Contreras’ name mentioned in trade discussions. No surprise that the Los Angeles Angels would be interested in Contreras, but when will the Angels go in full-rebuild mode? The Oakland Athletics should win the American League West by at least eight games, the Houston Astros’ starting pitching is a tad thin and the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers are rebuilding.

The Angels have plenty of big-ticket players — Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, Shohei Ohtani — but have lacked effective pitching depth for several years. If the Cubs accelerate talks with the Angels involving Contreras, pursuing high-level starting pitching — Chris Rodriguez, Reid Detmers — should be a priority.

It would be great to see Contreras and the Cubs agree to an extension, but at this point, I think everyone has a price to interested teams.