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*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

The Rea and Turner decisions were expected. I assume Turner will retire and Rea at that price is a really good deal for the value he provided this past season. Can assume a QO for Tucker is coming and will be interesting if they offer one to Shota too but at this point I hope not because I think he accepts it and that is $22 mil that could be spent towards a better pitcher.
 
Very interesting decision to offer the QO to Shota...total speculation but I'm guessing the Cubs saw Bieber come off the board and Michael King get the surprising QO and felt their FA pool was starting to dwindle.

Shota has until November 18 to decide what he wants to do with the QO. I think it would be kind of silly not to take it since he's 32, but maybe he believes he can find more guaranteed money over a longer period.
 
I believe King and Bieber were near the top of the list for Cubs targets this offseason. With Bieber now already with the Jays and King having a QO meaning the Cubs will be penalized if they sign him, I now think the top FA target the Cubs will have is...Dylan Cease. Other than the extra $10ishM you're guaranteeing over King per year, there is no extra penalty than if you were to sign King.

That being said, the only way this can happen is if Shota doesn't accept the QO. If Shota does accept the QO, it almost feels like the Cubs would look to move a guy like Taillon to save some space.
 
ISUCubswin said:
I believe King and Bieber were near the top of the list for Cubs targets this offseason. With Bieber now already with the Jays and King having a QO meaning the Cubs will be penalized if they sign him, I now think the top FA target the Cubs will have is...Dylan Cease. Other than the extra $10ishM you're guaranteeing over King per year, there is no extra penalty than if you were to sign King.

That being said, the only way this can happen is if Shota doesn't accept the QO. If Shota does accept the QO, it almost feels like the Cubs would look to move a guy like Taillon to save some space.
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I see the starter jobs breaking down like this.
Steele ( if healthy) Boyd Horton no brainers.
Taillon most likely
Rea 5th or long relief
Assad similar to Rea

Shota could end up being the other starter but I think the FO wanted options here.

The wildcard is Wiggins. If the see him as a 2026 option I don’t think they look further than Imanaga because Rea and Assad cen fill a temp void.
 
Jon Heyman believes Shota is going to decline the QO.

ISUCubswin foresees the Cubs having 6 legit starters. 3 of whom throw 97+mph (Horton, Cease, Baz?) consistently with filthy stuff, 3 of whom are more on the finesse side (Steele, Taillon, Boyd) which, if healthy, gives you a ridiculous amount of options in the postseason.
 
ISUCubswin said:
Jon Heyman believes Shota is going to decline the QO.

ISUCubswin foresees the Cubs having 6 legit starters. 3 of whom throw 97+mph (Horton, Cease, Baz?) consistently with filthy stuff, 3 of whom are more on the finesse side (Steele, Taillon, Boyd) which, if healthy, gives you a ridiculous amount of options in the postseason.
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Probably best for everyone involved. I think we can go out and get someone better. I think some lower tier team will probably give Shota a decent contract.
 
Hoping that Shota declines the QO as then the front office will be forced to do something about upgrading the starting pitching not only because they saved some money but there also is an actual need for it.

We don't know when Steele will be ready but returning is Horton, Taillon and Boyd so there is an immediate need for 1 more top end of the rotation starter. We can get away with Rea/Assad filling in as the 5th guy until Steele is back but we can't go into the season with the assumption that we're going to have a healthy rotation all season as that never happens. Steele is going to have to show he's healthy and effective to stay as one of the top 2 starters in the rotation too. He's probably going to be monitored closely and put on an inning count so I don't mind him actually pitching out of the 3 spot in the rotation when he gets back if they go out and get a quality starter in free agency or trade to pair with Horton.
 
CYdTracked said:
Hoping that Shota declines the QO as then the front office will be forced to do something about upgrading the starting pitching not only because they saved some money but there also is an actual need for it.

We don't know when Steele will be ready but returning is Horton, Taillon and Boyd so there is an immediate need for 1 more top end of the rotation starter. We can get away with Rea/Assad filling in as the 5th guy until Steele is back but we can't go into the season with the assumption that we're going to have a healthy rotation all season as that never happens. Steele is going to have to show he's healthy and effective to stay as one of the top 2 starters in the rotation too. He's probably going to be monitored closely and put on an inning count so I don't mind him actually pitching out of the 3 spot in the rotation when he gets back if they go out and get a quality starter in free agency or trade to pair with Horton.
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I get what you are saying but I'm not sure the FO ever feels "forced" about anything. I hope Shota takes the QO but the buzz is he won't.
 
RoseClone said:
I get what you are saying but I'm not sure the FO ever feels "forced" about anything. I hope Shota takes the QO but the buzz is he won't.
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Got a point there but how comfortable would you be with a rotation without Steele where both Rea and Assad are starting and your supposedly next up would be Wicks? I think they sign someone if Shota turns it down and I still hope they do even if he does accept it but the question will be if they go after a top tier type of starter or does Jed do hus usual bargin bin shopping and hope it works out.

To me its been obvious even before the Steele injury this rotation needs another top end guy. Glad that Horton was able to help out but you look at the top teams in the playoffs and most have guys 1-3 in their rotation that no one likes facing and the Cubs have been lacking that for awhile now. We don't have a lot of room position wise to make significant upgrades other than a corner OF and maybe at 3B so if the Cubs are going to spend any kind of money in the offseason starting pitching and a couple lock down relievers would be the best use of those funds.
 
CYdTracked said:
Got a point there but how comfortable would you be with a rotation without Steele where both Rea and Assad are starting and your supposedly next up would be Wicks? I think they sign someone if Shota turns it down and I still hope they do even if he does accept it but the question will be if they go after a top tier type of starter or does Jed do hus usual bargin bin shopping and hope it works out.

To me its been obvious even before the Steele injury this rotation needs another top end guy. Glad that Horton was able to help out but you look at the top teams in the playoffs and most have guys 1-3 in their rotation that no one likes facing and the Cubs have been lacking that for awhile now. We don't have a lot of room position wise to make significant upgrades other than a corner OF and maybe at 3B so if the Cubs are going to spend any kind of money in the offseason starting pitching and a couple lock down relievers would be the best use of those funds.
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I agree with all of this....I just don't have faith in the FO.
 
My hope is he accepts the QO AND they go out and get another high end arm.

Do I expect that? no. But it's my ideal path for the pitching staff. I think there is enough money there but no guarantees with this FO/Ownership group.

1. FA/Trade
2. Horton
3. Boyd
4. Taillon
5. Shota
6. Steele (only this low due to injury/uncertainty)

Rea, Assad, Wicks, Wiggins etc.
 
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CYdTracked said:
Hoping that Shota declines the QO as then the front office will be forced to do something about upgrading the starting pitching not only because they saved some money but there also is an actual need for it.

We don't know when Steele will be ready but returning is Horton, Taillon and Boyd so there is an immediate need for 1 more top end of the rotation starter. We can get away with Rea/Assad filling in as the 5th guy until Steele is back but we can't go into the season with the assumption that we're going to have a healthy rotation all season as that never happens. Steele is going to have to show he's healthy and effective to stay as one of the top 2 starters in the rotation too. He's probably going to be monitored closely and put on an inning count so I don't mind him actually pitching out of the 3 spot in the rotation when he gets back if they go out and get a quality starter in free agency or trade to pair with Horton.
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We need to find a list of guys coming off Tommy John surgery. That's who we're looking at.
 
BigJCy said:
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If you guys want an offseason spoiler I'm glad to give it to you. Jed and Tom will talk about how aggressive they will plan to be. They'll then sign about the 7th best player at a few different position groups and kick the tires on a few reclamation projects. They'll then do the media circuit about how crazy prices were and how they tried to be responsible.

It's the same **** every year.
 
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