Joe Maddon On Cubs' Offseason: 'We're Going Shopping At Pitchers R Us'

(CBS) Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Wednesday aptly coined his team's motto this offseason.

"We're going shopping at Pitchers R Us," Maddon cracked during an interview on the Spiegel and Goff Show.

Maddon's exact role in that impending shopping spree hasn't been finalized, but he figures to be heavily involved. He'll meet with president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and front office brass soon, at which point they'll hash out a plan for luring free agents to Chicago this offseason.

Maddon envisions having an active role.

"I'm absolutely here to help in whatever way I possibly can," Maddon said.

"I do want to participate."

The Cubs have been open about their desire to add a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher and -- in an ideal world -- another hurler to their staff. Left-hander David Price and right-handers Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto and Jordan Zimmermann are the high-profile starting pitchers available. The likes of right-handers Jeff Samardzija and John Lackey also provide the free-agent pitching class with plenty of depth.

Of course, Maddon has a history with Price from their shared days in Tampa Bay. Asked if he's recruited Price yet, Maddon said he hadn't.

He's all for adding lots of pitching, though, whoever it may be.

"I've always believed you can never have enough pitching or never have too much pitching," Maddon said.

"You can never have enough of that. Injuries occur -- you might lose a third baseman or a catcher or whatever during the course of a season that you're able to get through -- but if you're losing really good starting, going down, or even bullpen depth goes down to back it up, it becomes a lot more difficult."

Maddon also addressed outfielder Jorge Soler's future with the Cubs, who have had discussions on the trade market as well in their quest to add pitching. The 23-year-old Soler is viewed as a logical candidate to be moved, should the Cubs make a move via trade.

Certainly, Maddon understands the business -- but he also stumped heavily for Soler, who he believes can potentially be a "five-tool" player.

"Of course," Maddon responded when asked if Soler is in the Cubs' future plans. "Here's the thing about him: You saw what he's capable of doing there at the end of the season. For me, I really like complete baseball players, and he's definitely capable of being a very good outfielder ... He's got a fine arm. He's demonstrated that.

"It's important to work on certain types of areas ... on a nightly basis. That's the next level or step for him, is to get him beyond just hitting and really have him become more engaged in defense and base-running.

"He can be the proverbial five-tool player with a little bit more ... adjusting.

"I like Jorge. I thought he did great toward the end."

Listen to Joe Maddon's full interview below.