Sharma is saying the Cubs are still looking to upgrade at catcher.
There is no spinning Thaiss being a suitable #2 on a competing team.
***Official 2024 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter CycloneErik
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There is no spinning Thaiss being a suitable #2 on a competing team.
Yup. And it’s so incredibly unfair to put that expectation on them.
But Jed historically loves 2-4 question marks in his lineup opening day
Free agent bats aren’t going to fix us in 2025. Better to start infusing the youth and send on pitching.
After going over the luxury tax this past season on a team that didn't make the playoffs I don't see them going bonkers on spending unless they feel they can field a playoff team this season. That alone is crazy to think when he probably had options to shed some money at the trade deadline to get under it but stayed with the status quo once again. Betting Jed wants to stay under that threshold in 2025 so dumping some or all of Belli's contract would allow him to do that while still spending some money somewhere.
I'm guessing if Bellinger actually gets traded it won't be until after Soto signs as whoever misses on him will likely be the teams most interested. In regards to the catcher situation if Ballesteros is called up in 2025 he's probably going to be primarily a DH I would guess. He's still a work in progress behind the plate and it's not certain if he can develop into an every day catcher. Would hope he can but right now he's got a long ways to go there. The bat will likely be ready long before he will be defensively.
We are basically at a crossroads in the rebuild. We ran pretty much the same roster out 2 years in a row now with identical results. We can't do that a 3rd year and we have prospects knocking on the door for a shot in the big leagues. Either you have to commit to building with them or trade them now while they are still valuable trade assets. The only way to clear any path in the OF is trading Bellinger as PCA isn't going anywhere and it would take a lot of work to get Happ or Suzuki to waive their no trade clauses. 1B isn't really an option as feels like they are going to stick with Busch there. Guessing the front office was hoping Bellinger was going to opt out so this logjam would not be an issue.
I'm guessing if Bellinger actually gets traded it won't be until after Soto signs as whoever misses on him will likely be the teams most interested. In regards to the catcher situation if Ballesteros is called up in 2025 he's probably going to be primarily a DH I would guess. He's still a work in progress behind the plate and it's not certain if he can develop into an every day catcher. Would hope he can but right now he's got a long ways to go there. The bat will likely be ready long before he will be defensively.
We are basically at a crossroads in the rebuild. We ran pretty much the same roster out 2 years in a row now with identical results. We can't do that a 3rd year and we have prospects knocking on the door for a shot in the big leagues. Either you have to commit to building with them or trade them now while they are still valuable trade assets. The only way to clear any path in the OF is trading Bellinger as PCA isn't going anywhere and it would take a lot of work to get Happ or Suzuki to waive their no trade clauses. 1B isn't really an option as feels like they are going to stick with Busch there. Guessing the front office was hoping Bellinger was going to opt out so this logjam would not be an issue.
The Cubs are coming off 2 straight 83 win seasons. The challenge for Jed is to build a roster that is good enough to win 90 games- the threshold for historically being a sure thing wildcard team.
Adding a #1/#2 level starter, top tier reliever and bullpen depth are all necessary to make the next step.
My concern is by trading Bellinger and adding one FA bat in his place (even Soto!) is not enough to change the Cubs hitting culture. A culture characterized by inconsistency- core players whose 2025 season would consist of hitting .200 for 2 months and .280 for 2 months and hit slightly above the league average. IMO we've seen that result from Busch, Amaya Swanson, Paredes, Happ, Suzuki and Bellinger over the past couple years. I'll give Busch and Amaya a pass because I view both as young and complimentry players on a playoff caliber team.
To change the Cubs hitting culture Jed has to make some significant changes to the Cubs starting 9 hitters in 2025- like 3-4 different bats! And I'm not sure relying on prospects like PCA, Caissie, Shaw or Ballesteros are the difference between an 83 win team and a 90+ win team.
Adding a #1/#2 level starter, top tier reliever and bullpen depth are all necessary to make the next step.
My concern is by trading Bellinger and adding one FA bat in his place (even Soto!) is not enough to change the Cubs hitting culture. A culture characterized by inconsistency- core players whose 2025 season would consist of hitting .200 for 2 months and .280 for 2 months and hit slightly above the league average. IMO we've seen that result from Busch, Amaya Swanson, Paredes, Happ, Suzuki and Bellinger over the past couple years. I'll give Busch and Amaya a pass because I view both as young and complimentry players on a playoff caliber team.
To change the Cubs hitting culture Jed has to make some significant changes to the Cubs starting 9 hitters in 2025- like 3-4 different bats! And I'm not sure relying on prospects like PCA, Caissie, Shaw or Ballesteros are the difference between an 83 win team and a 90+ win team.
It doesn't have to be a FA. It could be a trade or a combination.
You certainly want to infuse the youth but to just give any of those guys jobs next year, outside of maybe Shaw, would be malpractice.
I know its easy to rag on this team, but adding 4-5 wins to the projection would be a huge step in the right direction, which can be done in a single offseason by adding bats and arms. They might not be 100 win good but could be much better.
One note was that possible inflated contract could be part of a Bellinger return. I'd be curious who/what that might look like. I'm thinking that could be a scenario like Bellinger to Philadelphia for old friend Nick Castellanos + prospects? Phillies desperately wants/needs to upgrade in their OF. Castellanos has 2yr/$40mil on the books vs 1yr/$32.5mil for Bellinger (or 2yr/$52.5mil if he picks up option again). Saves you a couple bucks, Castellanos' bat still plays solidly but his defense if rough. Kind of redundant with Seiya as a RF/DH profile, both with two years left, but might make some sense from a roster construction standpoint if you net some prospect value as well.
I think we’re at least 5 games better with Freid or Burnes and Caissie over Bellinger or Costellanos and Wicks in the Rotation.
I sincerely hope we see this young crew get their opportunities. Ballestareos, Busch Shaw, Smith, Alcantara, PCA, Caissie. I know they all won’t hit but why not find out? Those seven with Swanson and Suzuki could be very productive. Plus we’d have lots of cash to finish a bullpen.
If we could of been league average in save opportunities I’m pretty sure we finish ahead of Milwaukee.
If we
Jeff Passan on what Cubs should do this off-season:
What makes them fascinating: For so many years, because of their shared futility, the Cubs and Red Sox were pictured as cross-league analogs -- tortured franchises whose World Series droughts defined them. Then Boston won four championships and the Cubs snapped a 108-year curse and all was well. Now, Chicago finds itself in a similar situation to Boston: with a strong group of position-playing prospects on the come (Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcantara top a deep list) and a solid-enough major league core to envision a return to October.
But the Cubs aren't in on Soto. They haven't shown an inclination to go after high-end free agent pitching, either. And that's not on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer or manager Craig Counsell. It's the province of owner Tom Ricketts, whose willingness to push his payroll has rarely gone to the level of other big market teams like the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers.
Certainly the Cubs have players on pricey contracts -- Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Jameson Taillon will make a combined $113.5 million in 2025 -- but to compete, they need more high-end talent. Perhaps that comes via trade, if they move second baseman Nico Hoerner to make room for Shaw. It's a high-wire act to navigate, though, and if indeed austerity is the Cubs' modus operandi, they need to do absolutely everything they can to convince the only high-end free agent available at low cost this winter to join the Cubs and prove 2016 wasn't just a one-time feeling.
The perfect transaction: Sign international free agent right-hander Roki Sasaki.
Chicago Cubs
2024 record: 83-79, third place, NL CentralWhat makes them fascinating: For so many years, because of their shared futility, the Cubs and Red Sox were pictured as cross-league analogs -- tortured franchises whose World Series droughts defined them. Then Boston won four championships and the Cubs snapped a 108-year curse and all was well. Now, Chicago finds itself in a similar situation to Boston: with a strong group of position-playing prospects on the come (Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcantara top a deep list) and a solid-enough major league core to envision a return to October.
But the Cubs aren't in on Soto. They haven't shown an inclination to go after high-end free agent pitching, either. And that's not on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer or manager Craig Counsell. It's the province of owner Tom Ricketts, whose willingness to push his payroll has rarely gone to the level of other big market teams like the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers.
Certainly the Cubs have players on pricey contracts -- Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Jameson Taillon will make a combined $113.5 million in 2025 -- but to compete, they need more high-end talent. Perhaps that comes via trade, if they move second baseman Nico Hoerner to make room for Shaw. It's a high-wire act to navigate, though, and if indeed austerity is the Cubs' modus operandi, they need to do absolutely everything they can to convince the only high-end free agent available at low cost this winter to join the Cubs and prove 2016 wasn't just a one-time feeling.
The perfect transaction: Sign international free agent right-hander Roki Sasaki.
Happy tender/non-tender day. Can't wait to see who gets offered a contract or what deadweight is finally cut
Interesting day. Tauchman non-tendered. Seemed to have a perfect 5th OF role on the team. My guess is he wanted to carve out more PT. I wouldn’t blame him.
Thaiss came to terms with a new split contract. I read this as he is on the 40 man, will likely start in Iowa at $400,000 and come to Chicago for $1 MM if/when a catcher inevitably goes down. Overall, it’s a good deal.
Using MLB Trade Rumors projected arbitration salaries, Cubs ended up saving $18 MM in November by cutting ties with their arbitration eligible players.
Spotrac now has them at about $55 MM pre-tier I
Thaiss came to terms with a new split contract. I read this as he is on the 40 man, will likely start in Iowa at $400,000 and come to Chicago for $1 MM if/when a catcher inevitably goes down. Overall, it’s a good deal.
Using MLB Trade Rumors projected arbitration salaries, Cubs ended up saving $18 MM in November by cutting ties with their arbitration eligible players.
Spotrac now has them at about $55 MM pre-tier I
I'm surprised by Tauchman but not overly surprised either given we currently have multiple OF that need a path to Chicago so I guess this is how they clear one. More surprised that both Merryweather and Thompson were tendered. Thought Merryweather would not and Thompson is out of options so thought he might not either. It's possible both could traded or cut if they look bad in spring training.
Here’s the
Here’s the rub on losing Tauchman. I’d say that assures they don’t trade Bellinger. No back up CF unless you bring up Alcantara and sit him on the bench 90% of the time.
Need to find paths for some of these young guys to play everyday. I’d still like to see Bellinger moved to whoever doesn’t land Soto even with the Tauchman news.
The current roster isn’t a WS contender so no sense in truly overspending this off season. Granted, the FO has to make some type of splash to convince fans you are trying but with Suzuki, Happ, Hoerner, Bellinger, Swanson, and Amaya, you don’t have a championship caliber team. Signing two big arms may move the needle a bit but won’t take us from 83 wins to 95-98.
The current roster isn’t a WS contender so no sense in truly overspending this off season. Granted, the FO has to make some type of splash to convince fans you are trying but with Suzuki, Happ, Hoerner, Bellinger, Swanson, and Amaya, you don’t have a championship caliber team. Signing two big arms may move the needle a bit but won’t take us from 83 wins to 95-98.
I tend to be the negative one but I'll try and be a positive guy here.
Our bullpen finished 2nd worst in losses. If we were just league average, we would've had 89 wins and in as a WC team.
Offensively, C and 3B had a negative WAR until July, and we have the one of the best hitting prospects that will be ready Opening Day if needed.
I believe we're 1 impact bat, 1 bullpen arm, and 1 SP away from being WC caliber. All of which should easily be accomplished with $55 MM to spend and a stacked farm.
But I don't feel the Cubs are far away because getting to the WS is about a team playing its best in October vs. winning 100 games during the regular season.
The Cubs are coming off 2 consecutive 83 win seasons- pretty mediocre for a team with the Cubs financial resources. But the good news is 90 wins has historically been enough to make the playoffs. Basically 1 more win a month! Get to the playoffs and hope for the best.
So the challenge for Hoyer is to build a team that can win in October. I feel like the Cubs FO did some positive roster building in 2024 by acquiring/developing some hard-throwing relief arms. Add a #1/#2 starter and an elite reliever and I feel the Cubs are a 90 win team. Then it's about adding some professional hitters - guys with some pop to their bat, who don't shrink in the big moment, solid walk/strikeout rate and see a lot pitches in their at bats.
