*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter Cyforce
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I don’t think the idea would be giving up on him so much as using him to either build back up the farm or improve the 2026 team.
Would not be surprised if the Cubs wanted to add another pitcher at some point and felt a vet like IKF could be a cheap alternative to Shaw.
I could never trade Shaw or Hoerner for one simple reason that doesn't show up in a box score…they bust it out of the batter’s box EVERY single time.
Some seem to love Tucker but $60 million AAV is absolutely absurd. He’s damaged goods and I don’t think he’s truly elite at any one thing.
Some seem to love Tucker but $60 million AAV is absolutely absurd. He’s damaged goods and I don’t think he’s truly elite at any one thing.
He will put up .260-290 BA, 25-30 HRS, and 80-100 RBI with average or slightly above average defense. Does he worth $60/year?
If you’ve got the money he is apparently, they’re also paying him to not be in the Mets, cubs, jays, Phillies, etc which is worth something.
This is not me calling a shot, but instead throwing out a radical idea as I haven’t otherwise been able to connect any other dots.
Over the last week, it has been reported the Cubs
1) are cleared to go over the tax this year
2) still have interest in Gallen
So you’d think they’d have to trade one of their three rental arms - Shota, Boyd, and Taillon. However, rules keep you from trading Shota until 6/15 at the earliest, and Taillon and Boyd are the perfect pair for the clubhouse chemistry we’re trying to build.
In December 2024, we signed Boyd and most people thought he would be more of a swing man. Ends up a month later we sign Rea and he serves that role. Boyd, meanwhile, became an elite SP in the first half though draining and dragging a bit as the season came to an end.
What if you sign Gallen and Boyd, purely from an innings management perspective, becomes the Rea - start the season in the bullpen serving various duties but fully expecting to start as the season progresses and, ideally, not having much fatigue in October in what otherwise is a pretty elite arm
Over the last week, it has been reported the Cubs
1) are cleared to go over the tax this year
2) still have interest in Gallen
So you’d think they’d have to trade one of their three rental arms - Shota, Boyd, and Taillon. However, rules keep you from trading Shota until 6/15 at the earliest, and Taillon and Boyd are the perfect pair for the clubhouse chemistry we’re trying to build.
In December 2024, we signed Boyd and most people thought he would be more of a swing man. Ends up a month later we sign Rea and he serves that role. Boyd, meanwhile, became an elite SP in the first half though draining and dragging a bit as the season came to an end.
What if you sign Gallen and Boyd, purely from an innings management perspective, becomes the Rea - start the season in the bullpen serving various duties but fully expecting to start as the season progresses and, ideally, not having much fatigue in October in what otherwise is a pretty elite arm
Eh, you know how we complain about Jed taking two months to get a bullpen nailed down and games in April and May counting just the same and putting us behind the 8-ball? This is the exact same thing in a different way.
The best way to challenge the Dodgers, if it's possible, is to not play the wild card round which means you've got to jump out of the gate and trying to protect one of your best pitchers isn't the way to do it.
REPORT: The Chicago Cubs Are Still in on Zac Gallen
Is Zac Gallen a mere luxury for the Cubs, or another guy they need?
www.bleachernation.com
This has to be fantasy. Article suggests giving Gallen an opt out after 26. Hopefully they wouldn’t offer that as Imanaga Boyd Taillion and Rea’s contracts will be expiring.
Cubs Targeting Former AL Rookie of the Year Finalist
According to Cubs president Jed Hoyer, the Cubs are not done adding to the team. There could soon be another addition. Interest has been ramping up for free age
www.si.com
This would be in place of Shaw right? Would love it to be for Alcantara but I doubt it
Well Andujar and Alcantara have no real practical overlap. Alcantara's value/fit with this team is pretty much wrapped up in his ability player center. So you'd have to assume Andujar would only be in play if you get blown away by and offer for Shaw or Nico.Cubs Targeting Former AL Rookie of the Year Finalist
According to Cubs president Jed Hoyer, the Cubs are not done adding to the team. There could soon be another addition. Interest has been ramping up for free age
This would be in place of Shaw right? Would love it to be for Alcantara but I doubt it
Other than CF there’s quite a bit of overlap. But as I said and agree with you it would be for Shaw.
Side note. Wouldn’t be shocked if Suzuki wasn’t the emergency/ PCA needs a day off replacement and Alcantara the call up extended time replacement.
I guess that’s the world where we keep Shaw and sign Andujar.
Yeah if they are going to crowd the rotation some more then there better not be an opt out after year 1 for the same reason you just mentioned. Going to need to be in the SP market again next offseason given what comes off the books after this year. I'm all for having too much pitching as it eventually sorts itself out when injuries happen or someone doesn't perform and has to be sent to the bullpen optioned to the minors. I'd be surprised if Gallen is a Cub but I would not be against the idea either if they find a deal that works.REPORT: The Chicago Cubs Are Still in on Zac Gallen
Is Zac Gallen a mere luxury for the Cubs, or another guy they need?
This has to be fantasy. Article suggests giving Gallen an opt out after 26. Hopefully they wouldn’t offer that as Imanaga Boyd Taillion and Rea’s contracts will be expiring.
On the plus side let’s say we resign Suzuki and Hoerner but part ways with Happ then Shaw become our future left fielder. With Imanaga Boyd Taillion and Gallen coming off the books you can sign any starter you want to slot in with Cabrera Horton Steele and Wiggins. But it would be nice to trade one of those starters at the deadline for a nice starter prospect.
I don't think Shaw ever hits for enough SLG to be a viable option in LF. Happ is barely useable in that regard as it is, Shaw would just make matters worse. Plus, Shaw has already shown he's a capable defender in the infield and then some, putting him in the OF permanently would be a waste of dWAR.
Maybe not but even last year he was very good v lefties so he could be basically a RH platoon with Ballestareos. Likely able to play a slew of positions allowing regulars a day of rest from the field. Could see 40 or so starts in LF v LHP then another 40 starts as super utility. He’s a good enough fielder to take a shot at first so the ABs will be there to decide if he’s worthy of an everyday position.
What I’m really pondering today is Skubol hitting free agency. Guessing somewhere between 40-50 mil per. We can swing that having Steele Horton and Wiggins under team control in 27 with the money coming from Imanaga Boyd and Taillon coming off the books. Skubol Horton Cabrera Steele and Wiggins matches up with anyone including the Dodgers. This is also why I’d like to see a guy with team control in LF.
Finally Shaw slug was over 500 both seasons in Iowa and OPS north of 900 I’m definitely not going to concede he doesn’t have the capability to be a very productive left fielder in 2027.
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