*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

8 walks from Cubs pitchers so far today…5 runs from those walks. Bullpen also looking very leaking again today.

Let’s hope the Cubs can walk this one off as blowing a 7-3 lead for the sweep will leave a bad taste from a good series.
 
8 walks from Cubs pitchers so far today…5 runs from those walks. Bullpen also looking very leaking again today.

Let’s hope the Cubs can walk this one off as blowing a 7-3 lead for the sweep will leave a bad taste from a good series.

Our bullpen pitches scared.
 
God I hate walks.

And why didn’t Busch go in for defense after he hit? Really should have taken Turners AB off Estrada and then gone in to play 1B. But at least put your best defense on the field late.
 
If you told me the Padres had triple our hits and walked 8 times, I’d be surprised to find out we were tied going into the final inning.

That being said, I’ll go with the hot take that I haven’t seen regarding the Busch/Turner decision. I would’ve preferred Matt Shaw keep the bat in his hands over Busch. Just feels Shaw has better bat to ball skills and I know he isn’t swinging at 3 pitches out of the zone like Busch did
 
I still wonder how long of a leash Pressly gets at closer if he can't stop putting guys on base. 6 IP and he's walked 6 and given up 9 hits while only striking out 2. Feels like the 2nd coming of Rod Beck at times where he does just enough to get out of the jam most of the time but makes it really interesting until he does.
 
I know it's early by I am not confident in the bullpen once again. Offense is off to a good start and that usually seems to be where we are slow to get going so hopefully that is a good sign. Have scored the most runs in MLB so far but we also have played more games than any team too. Regardless 77 run in 12 games is 6.41 runs a game so far. But we are the 10th worst team ERA at 4.58 and 5th worst WHIP at 1.50. It's not entirely the bullpen's doing as Steele, Taillon, and Brown all have ERA over 6.89 or worse but some of the guys we are counting on in the bullpen are off to rough starts as well. The offense has been able to slug us to some wins but I don't have much confidence in the pen at the moment to hold a late inning 3-2 lead.
 
  • Agree
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I keep reading writers say there is no way we resign Tucker. The more I hear that the more I wonder if Rickets is going to do an I’ll so you and build a team around him like Jed suggested he was the ideal guy to do it with. Man I hope so because guys like PCA, Shaw and Alcantara will make great roster fillers on the cheap for awhile
 
I keep reading writers say there is no way we resign Tucker. The more I hear that the more I wonder if Rickets is going to do an I’ll so you and build a team around him like Jed suggested he was the ideal guy to do it with. Man I hope so because guys like PCA, Shaw and Alcantara will make great roster fillers on the cheap for awhile
That's just it!

You are going to have the flexibility to have that big deal on the books. Dansby's deal is going to age very well, I assume that they'll re-sign Happ on a team friendly deal, PCA, Shaw, Amaya, Busch, Alcantara, Caissie, Triantos are all dirt cheap for another 5 years, Shota is a steal with all the cheap option years, you're not going to extend Steele and just play out the arb years, you're not re-signing Taillon.

There's so much room there.
 
I love Tucker but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t hit free agency. The Vlad decision just made him the only elite bat on the market so he’ll be a very hot commodity.

Tom and Jed will have to show they’re willing to be the highest bidder. So far, at least in Tom’s tenure, they’ve shown they’re not interested in having a seat at the table for elite free agents.
 
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And that isn’t intended to be a depressing post - I think they’ll still trade for elite talents. I think Alcantara will be a Cub once the Marlins are open for business. But I just believe money is a big factor for Tucker
 
And that isn’t intended to be a depressing post - I think they’ll still trade for elite talents. I think Alcantara will be a Cub once the Marlins are open for business. But I just believe money is a big factor for Tucker

Every year I try to talk myself into the charm of Wrigley convincing someone to sign for less and it's never once happened.
 
I love Tucker but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t hit free agency. The Vlad decision just made him the only elite bat on the market so he’ll be a very hot commodity.

Tom and Jed will have to show they’re willing to be the highest bidder. So far, at least in Tom’s tenure, they’ve shown they’re not interested in having a seat at the table for elite free agents.

I think this is an honest take and how I view it too. Here's the biggest free agent deals they have given under Ricketts and non have topped $200 mil yet (source: Here are the richest contracts in the Chicago Cubs' history - Yahoo Sports)

Jason Heyward: $184 million (eight years)
Dansby Swanson: $177 million (seven years)
Jon Lester: $155 million (six years)
Yu Darvish: $126 million (six years)
Seiya Suzuki: $99.6 million* (five years)

Other "notable" signings
Marcus Stroman: Three-year, $71 million
Jameson Taillon: Four-year, $68 million

Largest average per year:
Jon Lester: $25.8 million
Dansby Swanson: $25.3 million
Marcus Stroman: $23.7 million
Jason Heyward: $23 million
Yu Darvish: $21 million
Kris Bryant* $19.5 million
Kris Bryant** $18.6 million

KB contracts were ones agreed on to avoid arbitration