*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[isucy86]

I’m not ready to give up on Shota because he clearly wasn’t healthy the second half of the season. If he gets healthy and gets his velocity back to normal, he’s a fine SP option next year.

I hope so. His WHIP was less than 1.0 this year, but his ERA jumped to 3.73. Still way above average in MLB, but puts him in the 3/4 starter slots vs. 1/2.

The other possibility is teams have figured out his stuff after 2 seasons. He gave up 31 HR's during the regular season. And in his last 5 starts (included 2 post-season) he gave up 10 HR's. That needs some serious off-season evaluation by Imanaga and Cubs pitching coaches.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

Look, I realize that this is a Cubs thread - but that is such an absolutely ridiculous statement. I've been a Brewers fan my whole life and have seen them make ONE WS (1982) - but not win. Was I ecstatic we won last night? Of course! But that is because it means our season isn't finished and we have a chance to advance! I don't feel great about our chances against the Dodgers - but beating the Dodgers, honestly, is much more important and big of a deal than the Cubs right now. Why - because they are the next obstacle for a chance at a WS berth. I have nothing against you, personally, but your statement is straight out of the Hawkeye handbook on how to deal with a loss to the Cyclones. BTW, and this is in all seriousness, if the Cubs had won, I would be rooting for them to beat the Dodgers because it represents just how good the top two teams in the Central have been this season.

That’s an awesome attitude…but rivalries are rivalries, and some Cub fans aren’t going to be able to root for the Brewers. I personally enjoyed the days when games in Milwaukee were an opportunity to watch a cheaper home game for the Cubs. Don’t really enjoy having the Brewers being good at baseball.

 

[Skyh13]

Tommy isn't allowing any spending this winter. He's making sure there's a lockout and he's not going to lose more money than he has to.

Opening Day payroll is going to be less than this year and outside of a possible pillow contract for somebody, they aren't making any significant moves. They'll gladly take the draft pick after they 'finish 2nd on Tucker', they aren't paying Keller, I'd guess they'll pick up the Rea and Kitteridge options. Shota is a coin flip.

Competitiveness next year depends completely and totally on Brewer regression and what progress Cincinnati makes.

Winner winner. They’ll hem and haw about moves but this is 1000% how it’s going to shake out, and frankly the Cubs won’t be the only ones doing it. It’s just worse because the franchise is so filthy rich.

 

[Cyforce]

Look, I realize that this is a Cubs thread - but that is such an absolutely ridiculous statement. I've been a Brewers fan my whole life and have seen them make ONE WS (1982) - but not win. Was I ecstatic we won last night? Of course! But that is because it means our season isn't finished and we have a chance to advance! I don't feel great about our chances against the Dodgers - but beating the Dodgers, honestly, is much more important and big of a deal than the Cubs right now. Why - because they are the next obstacle for a chance at a WS berth. I have nothing against you, personally, but your statement is straight out of the Hawkeye handbook on how to deal with a loss to the Cyclones. BTW, and this is in all seriousness, if the Cubs had won, I would be rooting for them to beat the Dodgers because it represents just how good the top two teams in the Central have been this season.

Really? They flew an L flag instead of moving forward. If beating us wasn’t your WS it was definitely your Super Bowl.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Look, I realize that this is a Cubs thread - but that is such an absolutely ridiculous statement. I've been a Brewers fan my whole life and have seen them make ONE WS (1982) - but not win. Was I ecstatic we won last night? Of course! But that is because it means our season isn't finished and we have a chance to advance! I don't feel great about our chances against the Dodgers - but beating the Dodgers, honestly, is much more important and big of a deal than the Cubs right now. Why - because they are the next obstacle for a chance at a WS berth. I have nothing against you, personally, but your statement is straight out of the Hawkeye handbook on how to deal with a loss to the Cyclones. BTW, and this is in all seriousness, if the Cubs had won, I would be rooting for them to beat the Dodgers because it represents just how good the top two teams in the Central have been this season.

You put an (incorrect) L flag in your official team picture after you won last night.

 

[chuckd4735]

You put an (incorrect) L flag in your official team picture after you won last night.

It was pretty cute. I dislike pretty much everything from Wisconsin. That being said, the Brewers were 6-0 against the Dodgers this year and have been really good against the Dodgers over the past 5-10 years. Pitching wins in the postseason, and I dont think the Brewers current situation is going to win a 7 game series. I think it will be Dodgers in 5 or 6.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Another Brewers fan here........guys, it's a rivalry. The cities are close and in the same division. And then compounded by Craig Counsel. Of course the winner is going to celebrate like it's 1999. To think the Cubs wouldn't have drooled all over themselves if they won the series is silly. They would have and then some. And so would you all of you in this thread. Does that mean Milwaukee was your World Series?

 

[AllInForISU]

Another Brewers fan here........guys, it's a rivalry. The cities are close and in the same division. And then compounded by Craig Counsel. Of course the winner is going to celebrate like it's 1999. To think the Cubs wouldn't have drooled all over themselves if they won the series is silly. They would have and then some. And so would you all of you in this thread. Does that mean Milwaukee was your World Series?

No.

Go Dodgers.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

Another Brewers fan here........guys, it's a rivalry. The cities are close and in the same division. And then compounded by Craig Counsel. Of course the winner is going to celebrate like it's 1999. To think the Cubs wouldn't have drooled all over themselves if they won the series is silly. They would have and then some. And so would you all of you in this thread. Does that mean Milwaukee was your World Series?

No offense, but I’m not even sure I understand why you guys are in here commenting on this thread. You’re not wrong, but if the Cubs would have won the series, would you have wanted us in your thread encouraging you to like the Cubs or at least not be negative about them? I don’t really see the point of having a unification of NL Central fans. I’m mostly out of baseball for the rest of the season…but probably a Mariners fan if anything.

 

[ScottyP]

besides Tucker, who are the position players who could leave in Free Agency?

 

[1UNI2ISU]

besides Tucker, who are the position players who could leave in Free Agency?

I'm guessing Turner retires. Castro and McGuire are free agents that I don't expect they'll re-sign.

 

[KCy]

I hope we don't pay tucker. We can get a much cheaper version. Good player but for the insane money some say he will get I would easily pass.

 

[ScottyP]

I'm curious to know what the plan is for Ballasteros. He isn't a big league catcher in the future so DH is his only real option for this team. Seiya is blocking him at DH because he can't really play outfield.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I hope we don't pay tucker. We can get a much cheaper version. Good player but for the insane money some say he will get I would easily pass.

I'll preface this with Tommy ain't spending the money anyway so it's moot but...

Where on earth is the cheap version of Tucker? Where is there a guy that puts up 5 WAR in a disappointing/injured year and walks more than he strikes out on the cheap? Where do we find a cheap option that finishes 13th in OPS in the NL in a disappointing year? Where is the guy that is basically Bryce Harper without the strikeouts on the cheap?

The greatest trick that Tommy ever pulled was convincing the fan base that players are too expensive while selling $20 beers.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

I think the problem for me is he hit below .200 in July and August, and then it came out he had been injured…followed by him being mediocre at best in the playoffs. I can put some of the blame on the medical staff, but this is a professional athlete in charge of his own body. He just didn’t present himself as a leader or someone worth the dollars he was previously projected to get. I don’t want another Jacque Jones or Jason Heyward.

 

[RoseClone]

 

[CYEATHAWK]

No offense, but I’m not even sure I understand why you guys are in here commenting on this thread.

None taken. Well maybe it's because we thought since Cub fans have no problem commenting on the Brewers thread................

True. Cubs fans do know what it is like to flame out of the playoffs after great seasons, too.

Wouldn't you rather face the Dodgers then the Cubs or Padres in the divisional round? Milwaukee has always had the Dodgers number. If that's the case, losing the top seed isn't that bad of a thing. As a Cubs fan, I'm hoping you guys get the top seed as I don't want to see Philly in the NLDS.

Fair point. Hopefully we both get what we want. I just would have figured the Brewers didn't really care if they don't get the top seed.

Congrats guys. Bob is smiling from above.

Good luck, Brewers fans. Hoping for no injuries for your team is the best this Cubs fan can muster.

........why the heck not?

 

[CycloneSpinning]

None taken. Well maybe it's because we thought since Cub fans have no problem commenting on the Brewers thread................












........why the heck not?

Well you’ve got three - good for you. I see no point. With the big 12, it’s different. We have a vested interest in the conference being strong and making money. I’m ok with every other team in the NL Central being bad. No one’s going to nuke or poach the division…and it makes my life easier.

 

[KCy]

I'll preface this with Tommy ain't spending the money anyway so it's moot but...

Where on earth is the cheap version of Tucker? Where is there a guy that puts up 5 WAR in a disappointing/injured year and walks more than he strikes out on the cheap? Where do we find a cheap option that finishes 13th in OPS in the NL in a disappointing year? Where is the guy that is basically Bryce Harper without the strikeouts on the cheap?

The greatest trick that Tommy ever pulled was convincing the fan base that players are too expensive while selling $20 beers.

Seems like the brewers have a whole lineup of them. They are out there. Not my job to find them.

 

[mred]

I'm guessing Turner retires. Castro and McGuire are free agents that I don't expect they'll re-sign.

I think McGuire still has a year of team control so we could go to arbitration with him if we wanted.

I do think Castro hit 6 years of service time this season, which would make him a true free agent. There's also Santana, who I assume we won't re-sign.

This is when Nico would have hit free agency, but we get one more year because of the March 2023 contract extension. After 2026, we'd see Nico, Happ, McGuire (if he sticks around for next season), Kelly (2027 is a mutual option, which are rarely exercised) all hit free agency, with Suzuki's contract also ending but the Cubs retaining one arbitration year (2027) with him -- not certain about that, but he'd only have 5 years of service time.