The Cubs were among several teams with interest in left-hander Brent Suter prior to his decision to sign in Cincinnati on a one-year deal earlier this week, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Wittenmyer adds that Chicago remained interested in Suter’s services “down to the end” of his time as a free agent.
That the Cubs would have interest in Suter is hardly a surprise. The 34-year-old was among the lefty relievers the club was reportedly interested in prior to last summer’s trade deadline, and the club has found itself connected to the relief market frequently with this winter, with Ryan Braiser and Robert Stephenson among the names rumored as potential Cubs targets. Suter also spent seven seasons in Milwaukee under new Cubs manager Craig Counsell prior to joining the Rockies prior to the 2023 campaign.
The relief market has seen the likes of Andrew Chafin, Will Smith and Chris Stratton sign over the past month in addition to Chafin, with right-hander Jordan Hicks also recently coming off the board after signing with the Giants as a starting pitcher. Even so, the Cubs nonetheless figure to have plenty of options available to them as they search to upgrade their bullpen this winter. In addition to Stephenson and Brasier, the likes of left-hander Matt Moore and right-hander David Robertson could provide some veteran stability to the late innings for Chicago, where they currently project to utilize Adbert Alzolay and Julian Merryweather.
More from the north side of Chicago…
- The Cubs made their first big move of the offseason last week by landing left-hander Shota Imanaga on a four-year, $53MM deal. While Imanaga was posted for MLB teams to sign less than two months ago, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun Times recently detailed the club’s efforts to land the southpaw, which date back to the club beginning to scout the southpaw back in 2018, the third season of Imanaga’s career in Nippon Professional Baseball. Lee notes that Imanaga caught Chicago’s attention in a more significant way during the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s 2019 Premiere12 tournament, the same tournament where they first identified outfielder Seiya Suzuki as a possible future target. That lengthy time spent scouting the duo has paid off as Imanaga figures to slot behind Justin Steele in the middle of the club’s rotation this year, while Suzuki slashed an impressive .285/.357/.485 in 138 games as the club’s everyday right fielder in the second year of his five-year pact with the Cubs last year.
- Chicago’s first-round pick in the 2023 draft, shortstop Matt Shaw, made a big first impression during his first professional campaign with a .357/.400/.618 slash line in 170 trips to the plate across three levels last summer, including a stop at Double-A where he slashed a strong .292/.329/.523 in 15 games. With that performance, the 22-year-old has put himself on the radar for a possible big league debut at some point during the 2024 campaign. Gold glove fielders Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson are locked into the middle infielder positions at Wrigley, however, and that’s led Shaw to explore new defensive positions this winter. Shaw himself told Ryan Herrera of CHGO Sports at this weekend’s Cubs Convention that “probably 99%” of his defensive reps this winter have come at third base. Prospect evaluators questioned Shaw’s arm strength when he was selected last summer, making the hot corner an unusual fit for the youngster. On the other hand, the Cubs found success in moving Nick Madrigal to third base last year despite similar questions about arm strength with Madrigal posting +10 Outs Above Average at the position in 2023.
The Cubs have now done more for their 2024 club than the Twins have:(
Is Belli back with the Cubs yet? I heard he’s hitting again and is searching for a long term, high paying deal…
Can’t be….Boras only allows signings when it gets above 70 degrees.
Indont think he’s coming back to the Cubs. They won’t pay him and Boras doesn’t like Ricketts.
Belli is huge, bit if we have to sign 10 year 300M contract to keep him. I can wait until PCA matures in centerfield. Unless Belli takes 1st or DH for those 10 years.
10 OAA in a little over 500 innings… Madrigal is an absolute vacuum at the hot corner. I just wish he could hit consistently and stay healthy.
But he’s not a third baseman. He had no pop in his bat and he can’t stay healthy.
But he’s not a third baseman. He has no pop in his bat and he can’t stay healthy.
3B is a defensive position. Being healthy allows you to play it more often, but whether there is pop in his bat has nothing to do with his defensive position.
3rd is traditionally a position, like LF, RF and first base, where the power bats live. So yes, it’s also an offensive position.
“ With that performance, the 22-year-old has put himself on the radar for a possible big league debut at some point during the 2023 campaign.”
Time traveling!
Its gonna happen.
Again.
Nick, I think you mean that Shaw could getba looknin 2024. 23 is already gone my friend.
Coop, Deeds is on a good one today. I decided to just sit back and watch him go to town haha
You are so right. The site needs editors.
The best one was the recent Burns article (?), wherein the writer said the pitcher had a 3.76 ERA or whatever in 193 plate appearances….
Haha Clip.
Counsell wanted Suter and foolishly thought a big market club like the Cubs could outspend the Reds to get him. Also, so much for Suter wanting to play for Craig….
I don’t think it was about money. Suter clearly wanted to play for the Reds. Go look at his posts on X. He said his dad was crying after he inked the deal. Hometown team.
Thanks for the knowledge Cincy. I didn’t know that. Makes sense.
Maybe Suter wanted to play for a winning team.
Cubs were a winning team in 2023, and probably will be again in 2024. The Reds have had a nice offseason though, and look pretty good.
The Cubs need another LH pitcher like Dolly Parton needs a Breast Augmentation. I mean another one.
Cubs are going to have a ton of “depth” pitching and I’m confused as to what the plan is.
Alzolay, Wesneski, Smyly, Little, Merriweather, MLJ, Almonte, Palencia, Cuas, Thompson and Wicks/Assad.
Man if Keegan Thompson could get back on track… dude was so dominate in 22.
I haven’t given up on Keegan yet either. He might be the biggest winner of the Cubs hiring Counsell as it was Ross who basically misused him and ruined him for 2 years. If he comes back to form he could be a wild card in this bullpen.
Personal foul. You’re a “cat” alright. But with a different slang name.
@coop
Once again it’s you that ‘foolishly thought’. Your criticism of all things Cubs, has no end. How in the world would you have any idea what value Counsell felt Suter could add to this bullpen. Luke Little looked quite solid last season between Iowa and Chicago. And money may not have played the main factor.
I’m a Cubs fan, and when I was a writer, I discovered that most Cubs fans are stupid. Sorry, but it’s true. Can’t handle any type of criticism. I’m able to be objective. I can’t help it when people reading this are drinking the kool-aid. Cubs are simply not acting like a big market team. Ricketts feels like he gave us our WS and since then doesn’t pant to pay the tax. Instead, they’re more interested in spending a billion around the park to attract “fans” who don’t really care if they win as long as they have a cold beer. Well, guess what? I’m not that guy. I call it like I see it. But you keep your head in the sand, er, dirt if you want. I happen to believe that true fans have an obligation to hold their team accountable. But again, if you’d rather be a fanboy, you go right ahead.
Lol, “when I was a writer “! You love repeating that when you post on here, as if it gives you some special credibility. Spoiler alert: It Doesn’t!! And more importantly, I hope you proof read your comments, for the Peotone Gazette because obviously you don’t on here.
You sound like a bitter ol guy, with a chip on your shoulder. Just try to remember that you can’t read minds (like why Suter signed with the Reds), or what plans are ongoing in the Cubs FO. And just because you wrote for a time – that sure doesn’t mean you have some sort of special understanding of what is ongoing in front offices at this time. More than likely it just means your self absorbed and living in the past.
Just because Wrigley is a great place to have a beer, it doesn’t mean the fans don’t care about baseball. People are just jealous about how fun it is. I know tons of Cub fans that want to win and rarely get to the game. They do not sell out when losing, but the seats aren’t completely empty because the fans still support their team – and it’s fun to see a game. There are also lots of tourists filling seats regardless of the team’s performance. I can handle criticism, unlike your earlier claim, but this post is garbage and doesn’t reflect the Cubs fan base that I know.
“I’m a Cubs fan, and when I was a writer, I discovered that most Cubs fans are stupid. Sorry, but it’s true. Can’t handle any type of criticism.”
I actually agree to an extent. 98% of fans do not even attempt to perform multivarieted analysis when assessing their respective favorite teams.
However, what you’ve said isn’t unique to cubs fans. Its fans in general. Maybe you’re annoyed that on average, cubs fans tend to be more dedicated and passionate than the average franchise, so that causes their emotions to regularly override their reason.
But even with that being factored into the equation, ALL fanbases act like this. I’m honestly grateful our FO is pretty tight lipped and doesn’t completely pander to people who don’t even know what projection systems are.
@northsidecrossrifles Hey dude! Has Willson Contreras signed with the Cubs yet!? Like you said he clearly loves playing there and seems like a sentimental person so he MUST have signed with the Cubs! And you said not taking what they could get for him at the 2022 trade deadline would help their bargaining position in future trades so that MUST be true as well lol!
I literally never said he would sign with the cubs. I said they could resign him, though I for one didn’t want to pay him what he could get on the open market. I’m more defensive minded when it comes to backstops.
Also, I’m glad you still have no idea how selling for pennies on the dollar while running a franchise can adversely effect your bargaining position, as it did to Theo when he was the top decision maker when he overpaid in trades year after year. When all you’re offered is rookie ball lottery tickets or AAAA talent, then might as well take the comp pick he’s tied to instead of furthering the narrative that an FO with Epstein roots will always overpay in trades.
From the trades Hoyer has executed since then, I’m glad he held to his guns. It seems Jed isn’t as desperate as Theo. He’s made some pretty savvy value moves. I also like the comp pick player, Jaxon Wiggins, better than any rumored players that were on the table at the deadline (other than the Houston starter, who was taken off the board by their owner). Kid was rated a mid 1st round talent going into his draft year, but unfortunately went down with TJ. 4 pitch mix, starters build, hits 99 on the gun.
Its funny you’re still salty though. I also like how you continue to strawman and ignore my actual breakdown. This isn’t difficult to understand. You get lowballed, you value those offers relatively equal to a comp pick, so you hold and the other orgs realize you’re not afraid to walk away. Maybe you’re an ex GF or woman I never called back. A lot of female energy coming from your posts.
“I literally never said he would sign with the cubs.”
Yeah yeah you did! “Contreras clearly loves playing here, and seems like a sentimental person. I think this makes a reunion much more likely, if even slightly probable at this point all things considered.” Those were your words…
“Also, I’m glad you still have no idea how selling for pennies on the dollar while running a franchise can adversely effect your bargaining position, as it did to Theo when he was the top decision maker when he overpaid in trades year after year.”
That argument still doesn’t work when you have up to 29 teams to trade the player to. Teams can’t just lowball you because then someone else will trade for the player and they’ll have to explain to their fans why they didn’t just pay the price. And I don’t think “But they accepted a lowball offer in the past so they were supposed to accept this one!” is going to be accepted by the fans. Nor are teams going to accept an offer they feel is worse than the Cubs’ offer from someone else for one of their own players just because “Well the Cubs always overpay but their offer wasn’t enough of an overpay so we’re going to take this worse offer from this other team! That’ll learn ’em!”
“From the trades Hoyer has executed since then, I’m glad he held to his guns. It seems Jed isn’t as desperate as Theo. He’s made some pretty savvy value moves.”
Oh yeah? Which of those moves do you have any actual evidence that he wouldn’t have been able to make if he had taken what he could get for Contreras?
“I also like the comp pick player, Jaxon Wiggins, better than any rumored players that were on the table at the deadline…”
Oh wow, the #24 prospect in your system y’all are so hype!
You typed a lot while failing to disprove any of my positions. I’m sorry I’ve triggered you to such a degree that you keep bringing up a post from 2 years ago. I love how you also don’t understand the meaning of words. Its a really telling insight into your thought process (or lackthereof). “Slightly probable” in aug of 2022 equates to “MUST” in 2024. “Slightly probable” according to you also means that situations can’t change, and aren’t fluid. And as to Hoyer’s trades, look them up yourself. Its not difficult. Last year he got the top rental bat on the market for a relief prospect who has no control and his 10th-20th rated middle infield prospect. Do you work for the legacy media? You make this too easy. Feel free to have the last word. This is clearly important to you.
And what proof do you have that the Nats would have traded Candelario to someone else (or not at all) if the Cubs had just taken what they could get for Willson Contreras the year prior, all other things equal?
Contreras didn’t stay with the Cubs. That is all that matters.
As someone who live In Chicago IL and give Cubs fans that track though the snow ❄️ and Ice to show up to the Chicago Cubs convention paid a high amount for tickets to get In
Only to have Cubs mangerment tell them we are not have their annual Q&A with the fans. Is very very Lame and rude to their fans.
But I guess you continue to show up to the games and buy the beer and hot dogs at their sky high price. And shell out money to watch them on TV
You deserve it
Logistics guy- Your BS comment is just that BS. Hoyer and Hawkins have been there the whole time talking to fans. Ricketts has been there most of the time. Ricketts also said he will be in the bar there on Sunday drinking beers and talking to fans. He’s also at most home games walking the stands and talking to fans. How many owners do any of that? Just because they didn’t let you get onstage and tell them what to do you’re whining. You’re probably one of those guys who whines because his questions don’t get answered in Chat rooms on this site.Get a grip.
That comment has to be a lie/troll, right? I also live in Chicago, but don’t use that as some claim to having some almighty, correct perspective.
I’ve known Tom Ricketts since 2015, right when I started working in close proximity to professional sports. He is a kind, witty, down to earth individual who treats the help very well.
When I returned to work after being on LOA due to another tour to Afghanistan, Tom stopped, said “Jordan, I thought you quit?” I explained to him I got called upon to deploy again, and he was dismayed that none of my management team informed him I was in Afghanistan. He then came up to my boss and started tactfully confronting him and why he never pushed any of this up the chain. At the time, I was a lowly suites supervisor. Tom offered me free all inclusive tickets, a care package, and a chance to be the honored veteran, which I respectfully declined.
Flash forward months later after I accepted a promotion across town. One of my best buds/roomate and I are waiting at the suites entrance for my buddy/ former boss to grab us and give us a spare suite. Tom sees us. Runs up and says “Jordan! You’re back!” Then he proceeds to turn to my roomate “Robert, you guys know each other?” My bud happens to do security and every once in a while he is supervising events at the Ricketts Chicago home off the lake in the north burbs. When he is there, Tom always takes care of him, feeds him, and gives him random cubs stuff, and is generally warm and appreciative. My roomate isn’t as outgoing as I am, and Tom didn’t even realize he was a veteran.
After I explain how we served together in the 2010-11 surge in the Kunar River Valley, Tom is mesmerized that he somehow independently came into contact with both of us.
While waiting for my bud to grab us, Tom spends at least 30 minutes talking to us before the game. I’m the type who cuts through a lot of small talk and gets to the point, and we went in on the farm system, the state of the long term health, and also our political views, which Tom was taken aback by but then grinned (I’m an Independent with classical liberalism being the philosophy which best fits my views, which means I overlap much more with republicans than the current versions of democrats). That kept Tom there another 20 minutes, and we were cracking tons of jokes about the current situation.
After that, he asks, “Wait, were you guys going up to Suites?” I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, seeing as thats technically not allowed. I told Tom we were waiting to stop in and say hi, but there were a lot of call offs today so they’re slammed.
Tom says ” Oh no big deal, just roll up with me.” So Tom then takes us up. Everyone I used to work with thinks something crazy happened, and they’re giving me looks. Then Tom goes “Well I’m gonna keep making the rounds, but I know we’ve got a few suites open on the north side. You’re welcome to watch the game from there. Good seeing you guys and let me know next time you’re here!” Now Tom probably knew what was going on, but he had the tact to not bring the hammer down, and the generousity to take care of 2 goofy vets while talking to us for nearly an hour.
Now I could on and on while adding more detail, but that if that’s not a decent owner, then I don’t know what is. The guy didnt see me for 3ish years and still knew my name. I was just a suites supervisor; not VP of Hospitality, or Director of Operations. Then add in his generousity…. The bitching over the Ricketts is always from such uninformed mouth breathers. If they dont buy the team, I doubt the 2015-2020 run ever occurs. Working summers at wrigley from 2015-18 are some of the best memorie of my life. I’m grateful.
Lol. You mean ownership? Hoyer and Hawkins both had their panels with the fans.
This is exactly what cubs fans wanted to hear on Shaw. He has to be the third baseman of the future.
Now that Suter has signed, what difference does it make if the Cubs or any other team were interested?
Does anyone think there is a possibility that the Cubs make no positional moves, and that they roll all the prospects out this year?
And the lineup looks like this at some point this season?
1. Happ LF
2. Hoerner 2B
3. Suzuki RF
4. Bush 1B
5. Morel DH
6. Swanson SS
7. Shaw 3B
8. Amaya C
9. Armstrong CF
They would be rolling the dice…
Cubs will hedge their bets and add at least one bat or at least make an honest effort to do so.
Smart baseball teams always attempt to raise their floor, the Cubs have no done that yet. Imanaga and Stroman is pretty much a wash in my opinion, they raised the ceiling with that deal but not the floor. Busch raises the ceiling at first (or third) but not the floor. Cubs will need to raise their floor at either first base or third (or re-sign Bellinger) because the floor is going to drop if they don’t bring Bellinger back. They also need to raise the floor regarding a set up man, whether that is moving Alzolay to set up and signing a closer or bring in a legit 8th inning/high leverage arm.
I still say that more will be done the rest of the way through trades than throwing money around for Free Agents. The FA market got real stupid real fast this year and lets face it, The Cubs have a ton of prospects that will never see a big league pitch for the Cubs. There are always guys cheap teams don’t want to pay that are way cheaper than FA money.
We have a handful of guys right now that can be moved, not sure they would net much but I think Canario is pretty much wasted unfortunately. Either Madrigal or Mastrobuoni needs to be moved, Wicks or Assad could be moved also. I’d love to see the Cubs add an 8th inning guy but there are young guys that could fill that role or possibly fill that role.
I do think the Cubs need to raise the floor on offense. Just one guy that gives the middle some stability and eases the pressure on Suzuki.
So Mike, what do you think of Busch? I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the trade since it happened. I assume the Cubs are very confident in his hit tool but he has to be viewed as first base only right? He played 90 some innings at third and was a negative 4 OAA! That’s pretty brutal.
Drascoo-Well I still say everyone is short changing Morel. I’m pretty sure he’s your starting 3B unless he COMPLETELY falls on his face in the Spring. I think Busch says more about what the Cubs don’t see in Mervis than anything. They completely went outside the Organization to get a LH power bat than let Mervis play. They’re putting way too much stock in Mervis small sample size IMO but so be it. They are way too RH( Batting wise anyway) all through the system. It’s likely they give Busch every chance to fail at 1B unless Bellinger takes a short deal. I’m still holding out hope that the Cubs will get a high leverage reliever like a Clase or somebody like him. You can’t count on Alzolay to last a whole season until he actually does it. The Cubs do have arms that can do it for sure but no track record. I’m thinking that I’d love to know what Counsell is thinking, But he’s not saying so I guess we’ll see in Mesa.
Also, There is no guarantee that what the Cubs start out with in Mesa is what the Cubs leave Mesa with. It’s driving me nuts trying to figure out what the plan is also.
Mervis, from what I’ve read, didn’t leave a very good impression on the Cubs.
The coaching staff questioned his maturity and mental strength, questioned his ability to prepare properly for games and his work ethic.
I knew there was something the Cubs didn’t like when they didn’t call him up and went with Young.
Clase comes with a ton of team control so I wouldn’t be upset if the Cubs traded for him but I’d hate to see what that trade package would look like. I’m not a huge fan of spending a ton of capital on relievers (money or prospects).
I also feel like one the most important aspects of managing is bullpen management. Counsell, IMO, is upgrading our bullpen. Right now, we have a lot of different looks to throw at teams and a lot of talent in the bullpen. Going crazy and giving away a lot of blue chip prospects is not the way I would go vs signing a guy who can add some stability. Is Clase going to give you much more than Moore or Robertson?
Go back a year and look at how Bellinger finished with the Dodgers, and then tell me again how signing him is a guarantee that the floor will be raised.
If I could time travel I’d go back before you were born and tell your dad to use protection.
Or just pull out? LOL
Drascoo- I would love it if the Cubs would sign Hader. Hader would set up the whole Cubs pen into being one of the best in baseball. I would even go so far as to say if the Cubs had Hader they could leave Bellinger and Hoskins on the FA wire and just go with what they have. I know Hoyer would probably break out in hives for paying that kind of money but getting Hader back with Counsell would be an awesome move and with their defense could push them up to the top in a different way. I don’t like paying huge money to Closers either, But this guy is a different animal. Maybe sign JD Martinez for a RH power guy DH? Can he play 1B at all? I admit I have no idea if he can or not. All they need is a Closer and one more power bat and I think we’re done. What do you think?
I love Martinez, really wanted the Cubs to sign him last year but you can’t really sign Martinez and expect Morel to play third with Busch at first.
Now if you wanted to go the Hader route and not break the bank of Bellinger, sign Santana who’s still a very solid defender. Have Morel man third and Busch DH or you kind of have to go with Chapman at third, Busch or Morel at first and the other DH.
Man I so don’t want any part of Chapman. I had a silly thought yesterday. Everybody is trying to get Cease from the White Sox. What if the Cubs pivot and go after Robert? Maybe PCA, Arias, Triantos and Alcantara? Robert is every bit as good as PCA defensively and probably a better bat. The Cubs will probably never use Triantos and the Sox could. Alcantara is blocked by NTC’s and Arias is a nice talent and the Cubs could probably use his 40 man spot in the future. I know it’s out there but since the Cubs aren’t acting I’m left to my imagination.
I’m far being a MLB GM. But I actually like that trade. Like you stated Unclemike1526 we need to use our imagination. Who knows what Jed is thinking. Robert is a darn good player when healthy. Jed may have a move or two planned.
I’m just figuring Arias is a great talent but he’s only at High A and I can’t see the Cubs carrying him on the 40 man for 3 years maybe. Robert eliminates the need for Bellinger entirely and the Cubs have 1B prospects coming fast. McGeary, Stevens, Kalmer Slaughter. Looks like they’ve given up on Mervis and maybe Busch stays there but it sounds like he’s more a DH. Just thinking outside of the box.
I like Alcantara and probably would balk at trading him. I personally think he will be better than PCA, at least more of an impact on offense.
I do like Robert and have thought of the trade, I’d take on Moncada if it meant saving Alcantara. I’m not worried about the no trade clauses, guys get traded with no trade clauses all the time, just gives them leverage.
I don’t want Chapman either but it seems like the Cubs have strong interest in him. Also, I’m curious about his market, like Bellinger, just not sure if it will be as robust as MLBTR thought.
Uncle, are you drinking before football starts this afternoon? Slaughter and Stevens aren’t getting anywhere, ‘fast’. Enjoy the games!!
drasco – I’m not sure what you’ve seen or heard, that the Cubs have ‘a strong interest’ in Chapman. Other than at a make-good, one year contract price, can I see them even curious about him.
Slaughter is at AAA already and played there all last year. McGeary will surely be be at AAA this year probably at 1B as Slaughter is very versatile. Kalmer is 23 and was at college for 4 years so should move up fast. He had 10 HRS and 42 RBI’s in 130 AB’s at MB last year. Probably starts at AA and can play 3rd or 1B. Stevens will be at AA probably also after playing at High A last year. I can’t think of them moving any faster. And what football?
Its a minor point, but PCA is already a better defender than Robert. PCA is platinum glove caliber. PCA will likely never be the middle of the order producer like Robert, but you’re essentially alone on an island if you claim they’re equal defensively my friend.
Uncle- You “can’t think of them moving any faster”?? First of all, I only mentioned Slaughter and Stevens. Second: I love guys like Slaughter. An LSU guy, plays the game the right way. But he’s already 27 years old and not in any convo about playing 3B for the Cubs this year. Third: Stevens is 24 and hasn’t advanced beyond high A yet.
I meant no Will with my comments – except you tend to get a bit too far over your skis sometimes. Like last year when you were sure PCA and Alcantara were going to start the season at Iowa – remember that?
6 days ago it was reported the Cubs had significant offers to Bellinger, Chapman, Montgomery and Hoskins (per Jim Bowden). Sounds to me like “strong interest”
We’ll see. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Doesn’t sound like anything to me, but a rumor. This offseason there are more contradictory reports on ‘offers’ and supposed ‘interest’, than I’ve ever seen.
Gomes 69%, Amaya 31% at C
Tauchman is Opening Day CF, PCA is 2025, unless Belli is re-signed
Belli or Hoskins will be signed, prefer both
Bush will go Spring Training fighting Morel for DH, Morel’s job to lose, runner up is utility
In my opinion, Bellinger allows a long leash for either Busch or Morel (most likely Morel) to play third base.
I don’t know anything about Busch as to why his fielding is so poor but we know with Morel it’s mostly his erratic arm, Bellinger at first would negate some of that because he’s such a good defender there and really long. Also, Morel impressed me a lot last season, he went through his slump but adjusted and ended the season hitting very solid. I believe he’s legit, still has some growing to do but his offensive ceiling is sky high.
I don’t think the Cubs would waste either Morel or Busch in a utility role. You’re stagnating their offensive growth. Madrigal would be the utility guy anyway.
Hoyer has a lot to figure out, I think he puts Canario back in Iowa thanks to Ross’s refusal to play him. That unfortunately limits his time in center with PCA being there as well. Madrigal and Mastrobuoni are basically the same player, one is going to have to be moved and we will need to figure out the 4th outfield role. Canario there is a waste, Bellinger being re-signed and Tauch as four makes sense but as does Belli at first.
AaronHarper-No. There is zero chance that lineup sees the field much. And there is zero chance the Cubs don’t make a move before ST. There is still a month to go until P’s and C’s report and a reason there are so many guys holding out for what I like to call the silly money. Teams shoot their wad early and then look for bargains. Gomes is your C most of the time and PCA starts in Iowa. Happ doesn’t lead off for me ever. I do think you have something as there is a small chance that Shaw gets the 3B job if Morel craters. I’ve never seen Busch play but he’s supposed to have power and if he does and is Major League ready he could either be 1B or DH platoon. Hey they could all step up in the spring and you could be right, But the odds of all of that happening are pretty slim.
That’s always possible. But like many others I personally have no idea what Jed has in mind. Maybe-That’s the line up likely in 2025. Jed will likely make some moves. But…if not…For 2024 insert Tauchman/Canario in CF. In place of Shaw maybe a combo of Morel, Wisdom, Bush, Madrigal at 3rd. Personally I don’t think the organization wants to rush PCA or Shaw. Unless they tear up spring training and the minors to start the season. As always. We’ll see.
Cubs put the con in convention. Cash cow franchise that won’t sign decent players. Hader or snell would be a great addition. However apart from ohtani signing, the whole offseason for free agents has been slow. Just a flurry of mostly minor league signings.
You want a tissue? You gonna be OK slugger?
Same old cubs. But the other franchises- Yankees, pirates marlins, diamondbacks aren’t signing big names either
For the cubs fans that missed Shota’s press conference. He sang Go Cubs Go. His English is pretty good. I didn’t expect him to speak in English as much as he did. It’s a pretty good watch.
You know he rehearsed that for hours right? Maybe even days. I just found out he’s been in Chicago for the whole 45 days and just met with other teams on Zoom calls. So as impressive as that was, And it was, That’s all the English he knows.
I’m okay with that. I knew about him living in Chicago since around Christmas. Whether he rehearsed that for hours or days or weeks doesn’t matter. For someone who knows very little English and that’s what he wanted to learn makes me like him even more. I won’t get his jersey yet since his deal is only 2 years with options for years 3-5.
My next jersey purchase will likely be Cosy Bellinger (If he re-signs with the Cubs.
Polar bear?