*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter Cyforce
- Start date
Between SP, bats, and bullpen, bullpen was the least of my concerns a week ago, so I don’t want to sound too spoiled.
But I think they could use one more high leverage arm, unless they trust someone like Hodge or Brown to be able to take the ball late into games
I like Bregman a lot but his numbers have trailed off a bit the last few years.
I’ll disagree here. He’s been the same guy basically for the last four seasons. He’s not the guy he was on 2018-2019 but he’s been consistently very good. Above average both at the plate and in the field.
I'm good with it simply because Craig has so many different looks down there. He can really play matchups and he's done that well forever. Ideally, you go get one more guy with velocity but they can probably do that on the cheap.
That and the Yankees offered Bellinger 5yrs at $150M and he turned it down. ESPN termed both sides were at an impasse and Yankees were probably moving a different direction.
And that was before Bregman deal with Cubs announced.
If Cubs are still going to spend ( a little) and be all-in for 2026. I'd like to add an OF bat like Harrison Badar. Hustle guy who can play 3 OF spots.
With the deferrels, Cubs are currently below the tax. I would be shocked if anyone significant were added the rest of the offseason unless some money was traded away.
I would guess the Cubs will add and willingly go over the tax in-season if a need becomes obvious and the value makes sense.
Right now, the only "need" I foresee is a late-inning bullpen arm. I'd guess they let Hodge/Brown/Harvey/Maton compete for those high leverage late innings.
Maton, though, just feels like a high leverage at any time arm. If a SP gets in trouble in the 6th, I could see him going out then.
I would guess the Cubs will add and willingly go over the tax in-season if a need becomes obvious and the value makes sense.
Right now, the only "need" I foresee is a late-inning bullpen arm. I'd guess they let Hodge/Brown/Harvey/Maton compete for those high leverage late innings.
Maton, though, just feels like a high leverage at any time arm. If a SP gets in trouble in the 6th, I could see him going out then.
Ecstatic about the moves. Looking at the current roster I think the biggest need is a left handed bat off the bench. Currently all four are righties. Austin, Amaya, Shaw Alcantara. I don’t like the obvious solution which is bumping Alcantara off the active roster but it definitely wouldn’t be Amaya or Austin who was signed as a righty option at first. Alcantara is now our best option to replace whichever OF isn’t retained after this season. Would say it isn’t a big deal but including Happ we only have four guys that bat from the left side of the plate.
Just saw on bleacher nation approximately 70 mil is deferred.luxury tax hit likely between 30-31 mil. Plus a NTC go figure.
Mariners fan here. We have a glut of middle infield prospects and a couple who are on the verge of being big leaguers, but for a team built to win now it would be nice to plug in a proven guy at 2B. Add in Nico's contact skills to our lineup of free swingers, then the 1 year left on his deal would make him a great bridge to the future. That said, I'm not dealing a starting pitcher unless you want to eat a good portion of Castillo's contract. We dont have any big league ready SP depth and all 4 of the guys on rookie contacts had lengthy stints on the IL last year.
We need a bench guy like Tauchmann, I wonder if he's available again or signed for this year? Suzuki won't play 160 games in RF. More like 120.
The bench is currently Shaw, Alcantara, Austin, [Catcher]. If they do add any bench piece, I would guess it would be someone who they can trust to play CF if PCA needs time off. That being said, I think Shaw and Alcantara could handle day to day duties out there.
There's been some speculation the Cubs have a "new" Brad Keller. Guessing it's Corbin Martin based on some of the whispers out there.
There's been some speculation the Cubs have a "new" Brad Keller. Guessing it's Corbin Martin based on some of the whispers out there.
Tauchman would be a nice fit. Suzuki may end up at DH v. LHP Depending on how Ballestareos does v. Lefties early.
Looking like they may choose to move Hoerner over Shaw. Not a big fan of that but I understand the sentiment.
Alcantara can play CF. If he gets 40 or so starts in RF then 10 or so in CF and LF we could get a decent indication on where he’s viable as a starter in 2027.
Extend Happ.
He's going to give you a discount to stay and he's going to stay consistent. You can buy his age 32 and 33 seasons for $40M.
I also think Alcantara's ceiling is 4th outfielder simply because I don't think he'll ever hit right handed pitching well enough to be a regular. He is still really valuable because he can handle all 3 spots.
He's going to give you a discount to stay and he's going to stay consistent. You can buy his age 32 and 33 seasons for $40M.
I also think Alcantara's ceiling is 4th outfielder simply because I don't think he'll ever hit right handed pitching well enough to be a regular. He is still really valuable because he can handle all 3 spots.
If we extend one I’d take Suzuki’s bat over Happ”s glove.
I didn't include Seiya because extending him is a no brainer. I would be shocked if that didn't happen.
Two years for Happ gives Conrad and Kepley time to develop.
