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    Trade and free agent rumors posted here.

    162 rumors in this category

      Bertz

      It has become abundantly clear that the Cubs are deep in the market for a closer.  After playing runner up in the Tanner Scott sweepstakes, Carlos Estevez appears to be the next man up on the closer market.

      Estevez has a 3.22 ERA and 57 saves the last two years since leaving Colorado.  MLB Trade Rumors predicted a 3 year, $27M contract for Estevez at the start of the year.  So if the Cubs are indeed pursuing him it would seem to indicate that the team has softened its stance on multi-year contracts to relievers broadly, and not just as a one-off exception for Tanner Scott.

      Matthew Trueblood

      Welp. Hope you didn't let your hopes rise too high. Just a few hours after I reported that the Cubs had made a push to land Tanner Scott on a multi-year deal, the Dodgers did what the Dodgers do. 

      This will not make you feel even one iota better, I imagine, but for whatever it's worth to you, the offer the Cubs made was very competitive with this one. Without any further information about opt-outs, deferrals, or other aspects, it's safe to say that Scott basically chose between the two teams based on factors other than money—though, of course, the Cubs may have stopped bidding when it became clear that the Dodgers would match or exceed whatever they offered.

      Bertz

      Cubs Targeting Tanner Scott?

      By Bertz, in Rumors,

      A steady chatter has been building throughout this week around the Cubs' pursuit of a new closer.  Most reports however have had them foregoing Tanner Scott, the top reliever on the free agent market, and instead targeting the next tier down with Kirby Yates' name often mentioned.

      Jon Morosi this evening lists the Cubs as a "top suitor" for Scott's services however.  Additionally, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic also notes the Cubs pursuit of Scott:

      Quote

      The Cubs have been enamored of left-handed reliever Tanner Scott for years. They’ve been interested in trading for him, and with him on the open market, they’ve engaged in trying to lure him to Chicago.

      However, it is worth noting, Sharma ultimately comes down on the side of Scott being beyond the Cubs' financial comfort zone.

      The Mets have generally been seen as Scott's top suitor, so with them signing AJ Minter this afternoon, perhaps there's an opening.  Morosi also notes that Scott is likely close to a decision.  The relief market is expected to move quickly after Scott signs, so either way the Cubs may have their new closer on hand soon.

      Matthew Trueblood

      This has to go on your radar. Just don't get your hopes up too high.

      On the eve of the opening of the 2025 international amateur free agency period, FanGraphs lead prospect writer Eric Longenhagen shared during a radio interview that he heard a tantalizing rumor: the Dodgers might have a deal lined up to send top outfield prospect Josue De Paula to an unidentified team, in exchange for $3 million in spending power in the IFA market.

      That, of course, would be a major move. In Baseball Prospectus's Top 101 Prospects list released earlier this week, De Paula ranked 9th, right behind fellow Dodgers outfielder (and ex-Cubs draftee) Zyhir Hope. The two are different in profile, but similar in upside, with De Paula having less actualized power right now but (perhaps) an even higher ceiling than Hope. He's a tall, lanky, athletic outfielder with a pretty left-handed swing, and though he won't even turn 20 until late May, he's likely to start the season in High A. He could very well be in Double A for the second half of this year and knocking on the door of the majors by the start of 2026.

      This is noteworthy for Cubs fans, because if it turns out to be true (and if they were that mystery team), it could explain why they have yet to execute the deals to which they had agreed with several high-ranking members of this international free-agent class, as most other teams have done since it became kosher to do so Wednesday morning. The Cubs' bonus pool (roughly $6.3 million) is just large enough to allow them to trade $3 million to Los Angeles, if they so choose; you're not allowed to trade more than half your pool.

      The motivation for the move, of course, would be to allow the Dodgers to give more money to Roki Sasaki, and they would only want to do it if they win the bidding for Sasaki. As such, if this wild rumor is true, we won't hear more about it until Sasaki signs, and then only if he signs with LA. This bears watching, though, because De Paula is (obviously) a far better prospect than anyone the Cubs could sign with those dollars, and would immediately become the team's top prospect. Adding him (at a level of the farm at which they don't have as much quality depth) would also make it a bit easier for the team to part with one or more of their prospects much closer to the majors, in a separate deal to bolster their big-league roster.

      Matthew Trueblood

      After the Cubs hired Tread Athletic's Tyler Zombro as a pitching guru early this offseason, you had to figure they would take special interest in some of the clients of that development facility this winter. Tread is a competitor to Driveline, more or less—a place pitchers can go to revive and reinvent their careers, and Zombro played a prominent role in that endeavor before joining the Cubs front office.

      Sure enough, after Tread held a public Pro Day to showcase some of their pro-caliber clients, the Cubs were one of the first teams to snap up a promising arm.

      This kind of deal will absolutely be a minor-league one, and probably not even with an initial invite to big-league spring training. Goldmann's progress and the arsenal described above are awfully impressive, though, so he'll be a project worth monitoring as he tries to find a foothold in pro ball with the Cubs in 2025. Zombro was hired for the expertise he can directly provide, but if the organization also becomes a bit more appealing to some Tread alumni in the short term, so much the better.

      Matthew Trueblood

      ESPN published its Sunday Night Baseball schedule for the first third of the season on Wednesday, and the Cubs show up twice on the docket. They'll visit the Dodgers on Apr. 13, and then host the Phillies under the Wrigley Field lights on Apr. 27.

      The Mets and Dodgers will, unsurprisingly, show up four times in this early phase of the season, as ESPN chases the ratings delivered by the likes of Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani. The Padres and Phillies are each listed three times already, and the Cubs join the Yankees and the team from Cobb County in Georgia as clubs who will appear twice in this first segment of the season. The matchup with the Phillies is especially juicy. Depending on how the first month goes, that could well be a matchup that testa the early success of an upstart Cubs team against a team with three straight playoff appearances, and one whom they might be battling for Wild Card position by the end of the season.

      While I don't have ESPN, I love when the Cubs are on Sunday nights, as it affords an opportunity to tune in either to Pat Hughes or to Boog Sciambi (who calls those Sunday night games on ESPN Radio) and not to feel pressured to watch on TV. Baseball is still good on the radio, but the modern environment often tells us we missed something if we merely listened to a game. Here are two instances where I'll have no choice; I look forward to them.

      Matthew Trueblood

      We've discussed this as a remote but fascinating possibility all winter. Now that it's mid-January, those vague possibilities are taking on more definite forms. Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs could end up turning to one another in a moment of need as the endgame of the offseason sets in, according to 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. 

      The specific structure that Levine mentions is a three-year deal with opt-outs after each season, akin to the deals signed by Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger last winter, and by Carlos Correa prior to the 2022 season. The Cubs aren't interested in a long-term Bregman commitment, Levine reported, but would be open to some version of this deal. They're just one of a handful of places where Bregman might land if he fully embraces the idea of such a contract, and there's still no guarantee that he will end up doing so, but you can start to see how this would work.

      Bregman could play second base very early in the season, with Nico Hoerner (perhaps) still recovering from his offseason forearm surgery. He and Matt Shaw would cover for Hoerner as needed, and the Cubs would also be relieved of their dependence on the risky proposition of handing the rookie Shaw a full-time gig right away. Bregman's skill set is well-rounded, and he'd fit gorgeously between Kyle Tucker and Michael Busch in the lineup. All that is easy to grasp.

      There are some complications, though. Doing this might require the team to move money from elsewhere on the roster, in order to make room for the expensive, high-ceiling pitching help they still need. Bregman is unlikely to sign for an AAV even as low as Bellinger's $26.7 million, so there would be wrinkles to smooth out even if this came to fruition. Nonetheless, it's an enticing option.

      Matthew Trueblood

      Tuesday brought the release of Baseball Prospectus's 2025 Top 101 Prospects, an annual source of intrigue for those who love tracking the progress of the farm system. This year's will both excite and frustrate some fans. The two highest-ranking prospects with Cubs ties here are Zyhir Hope (No. 8 ) and Cam Smith (No. 20), whom the team traded for Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker, respectively. Then again, BP is going to end up much higher on Hope (and a bit higher on Smith) than anyone else, and the good news begins thereafter.

      Matt Shaw comes in at No. 25, making him the highest-ranking prospect on this list to be penciled into the Cubs lineup for a coming season in recent memory. It's a good reminder that he's a legitimately excellent prospect and a solid choice for third base. After that, three Cubs cluster into the back quarter of the list:

      • Moises Ballesteros, No. 73
      • Owen Caissie, No. 77
      • Cade Horton, No. 85

      These guys are lower here than on some other lists you've likely seen recently, but the rankings feel fair. At the same time, they're obviously not gospel. FanGraphs's list of the top Cubs prospects lists Kevin Alcánatara second, behind only Shaw, which is a good reminder of the volatility and room for debate around all of these players. The Cubs don't have an elite farm system, but they sure do have a collection of intriguing players in the uppermost levels of the minors.

      Bertz

      Jed Hoyer appears intent on adding as much pitching depth to the Cubs as he possibly can. After adding Matt Festa and Colin Rea this week, Ken Rosenthal reports in The Athletic that the team has checked in with lefty reliever Brooks Raley.

      Raley, 36, started his career as a Cub before spending a few years in the KBO. Since he came back stateside in 2020 he has been one of the better lefty relievers in the league. The Cubs, even after adding Caleb Thielbar, are light on left-handed relievers.

      With Raley still rehabbing from surgery, he would be eligible to be put on the 60 Day injured list as soon as spring training opens. This would be a potentially savvy way for the team to stash another pitcher without eating a roster spot.

      Quote

      Raley, 36, had Tommy John surgery in May. He hopes to be ready to pitch in games as early as the start of July, people briefed on the matter said. Clubs known to be in the market for bullpen help, including the Cubs and Yankees, have checked in.

      A precedent exists for relievers in similar situations. In recent years, relievers coming off surgeries such as Liam Hendriks and Luke Jackson netted two-year deals with options.

      Bertz

      For the third time in less than a week the Cubs are being tied to a left handed (or switch hitting) 3rd baseman.  This time it's former White Sox Yoan Moncada.

      Moncada is entering his age 30 season and looking to rebuild value after a few years marred by injury.  The Cubs meanwhile appear to be looking for someone who can plausibly handle full time 3rd base duties if Matt Shaw proves not yet ready for primetime.  Given that Moncada, Josh Rojas, and Hyeseong Kim can all bat from the left side, it appears that having that platoon compliment to Matt Shaw, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner is also being viewed as a desirable trait.

      Bertz

      Following the Kyle Tucker trade, Cubs' GM Carter Hawkins indicated that the team would look to free agency to help backfill the 3B production the team lost with Isaac Paredes headed to Houston.  Mark Feinsand reports today that the Cubs are looking at former Mariners and Diamondbacks infielder Josh Rojas.

      It seems all but certain that Matt Shaw is being eyed as the primary 3B for 2025, but given his limited time in AAA and then risk associated with just handing any rookie a full time job, and strong backup is a necessity.  Josh Rojas is a strong defender and a solid hitter, and as a lefty can help compliment Shaw by taking matchups versus tough righties.  Rojas can also cover 2B, possibly useful if Nico Hoerner's recovery from surgery stretches into the new season.

      Rojas was non-tendered by the Mariners last month, and was projected by MLBTR to make $4.3M in arbitration.  Therefore even on the open market it's unlikely he costs more than about $5M per year to sign.

      Brock Beauchamp

      Bruce Levine tweeted the Cubs are meeting with Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki.

      Sasaki is going to be pursued by nearly every team in baseball (probably not the Rockies because, you know, it's the Rockies). Sasaki is not the typical Japanese player posting; like Shohei Ohtani, special rules apply to his posting and he is limited to signing a contract within a team's international signing budget allotment. He will then be subject to six years of team control, becoming arbitration-eligible after three seasons like any other "typical" prospect.

      Sasaki will play his age-23 season in 2025. In Japan, he has a career 2.02 ERA in 414 innings pitched. The young Japanese hurler is represented by Joel Wolfe, the man who also represents Seiya Suzuki.

      Bertz

      Rumors around Jesus Luzardo were so hot and heavy over the last week that a deal was beginning to feel inevitable. Apparently not as Bruce Levine, who has been most plugged into this potential deal, declares that it's currently "dead."

      Luzardo has an extensive injury history, including major back issues in 2024. It's possible that medicals scuttled a deal either directly or indirectly by making it difficult for the clubs to align on a price that properly weighed the risk/reward.

      It's also hard not to view this in conjunction with yesterday's Cody Bellinger trade. While not simply "the cheap option", Luzardo was one of the lowest salary starting pitching options on the market. Did Jed Hoyer's newfound infusion of cash open up more attractive opportunities? Or did Hoyer push to free up cash as a response to this deal dying on the vine?

      Brock Beauchamp

      Bruce Levine, appearing on the Mully & Haugh Show, spoke on the Cubs' continued pursuit of Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo.

      Levine mentioned that the Cubs have been in pursuit of Luzardo for weeks and would like to get a deal done in the next few days. He also takes a look at Chicago's pursuit of a new closer and mentions that Jed Hoyer, Cubs' President of Baseball Operations, is looking to complete trades before turning to the free agent market this offseason. There is also a bunch of information on the Bellinger trade talks with the Yankees, including what the Cubs' goals are in any potential deal with New York.

      There are a bunch of useful tidbits in the link above, give it a listen.

      Brock Beauchamp

      The Cubs have been in talks with the New York Yankees about a Cody Bellinger trade for at least a couple of weeks, possibly longer. From reports we have heard, there is agreement (or close to it) on players changing hands. The Yankees, after missing out on Juan Soto, are looking at other ways to improve the lineup and have keyed in on Bellinger as a fit.

      Bellinger is an excellent fit for the Yankees, which is why the two sides are largely in agreement on the trade. The major sticking point is dollars; Bellinger is owed $27.5 million this coming season but has a $25 million player option in 2026. In taking this contract, it will be hard for the Yankees to predict their total expenditure and they're trying to mitigate some of the risk by having the Cubs pay a portion of the contract.

      Brock Beauchamp

      Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic mentioned that while second baseman Nico Hoerner had been floated in trade rumors earlier in the offseason, the Cubs are likely pulling him back off the market in the wake of the Kyle Tucker trade.

      In the Tucker trade, the Cubs sent third baseman (and recent acquisition) Isaac Paredes to Houston, freeing up third base for prospect Matt Shaw to claim at some point in 2025. Though it should be added the Cubs are likely in the market for at least a part-time third baseman as Shaw insurance.

      With Paredes off the roster, the Cubs now have an open infield spot for Shaw to claim, making a Hoerner trade unnecessary.

      Bertz

      The Cubs' search for starting pitching was seemingly put on pause while the team finalized their deal for Jesus Luzardo, but it appears to have resumed in earnest.

      Jesus Luzardo had a lost season in 2024 with separate elbow and back injuries, not pitching at all after June 16th. However, in 2023, Jesus was one of the best pitchers in baseball and seemed to be a young budding ace.

      With that immense talent and two years of control at low arbitration salaries, Luzardo still figures to command a sizable prospect return even after his down year in 2024.

      Brock Beauchamp

      The Cubs pulled off their big improvement to the lineup via the Kyle Tucker trade with the Houston Astros.

      Now it's time to turn their attention to the pitching staff, the rotation in particular.

      Ryan Divish and Adam Jude of The Seattle Times wrote a round-up of Castillo rumors, mentioning that the Cubs have shown interest. In return, the Mariners have been interested in second baseman Nico Hoerner, so much so that the Cubs and Mariners were nearing a three-team deal with Hoerner going to Seattle while the Cubs acquired Garrett Crochet from the White Sox.

      The Mariners have quietly spread rumors that 32-year-old Luis Castillo might be available in trade. He could likely be had for a reasonable prospect return due to the fact he is owed roughly $24 million per season through 2027 with a $25 million vesting option in 2028 but had roughly league-average performance in 2024.

      Any acquiring team would be betting on Castillo returning to previous form, where he was a well above-average starting pitcher most teams would be thrilled to have in a playoff rotation.

      Bertz

      The Cubs continue to cast a wide net on late inning relievers.  Hardly a surprise after how many issues the team's bullpen had in 2024.  Two separate names were mentioned Monday afternoon from the winter meetings

      In between injuries, AJ Minter has been one of the best lefty handed relievers in the league the last 5 years, sporting a 2.85 ERA over 243 innings.  A hip injury which required surgery ended Minter's season in August.

      Kyle Finnegan was the Nationals' closer for much of the year, though he was non tendered last month as his arbitration salary exceeded what the Nationals were comfortable paying him.

      Both names are in line with Kirby Yates and Andrew Chafin, who the team was tied to last week by Bruce Levine.  Not exactly playing against type, Jed Hoyer seems to be zeroing in on relievers who have late inning stuff and experience but aren't quite in line for multi-year deals.

      Brock Beauchamp

      Alex Speier of The Boston Globe mentioned in a recent write-up that the Seattle Mariners are listening when opposing GMs come calling for Luis Castillo.

      Castillo turns 32 in a few days. A reliable frontline starter for several years, the righty's ERA took a step backward in 2024 but most of his peripherals suggest the situation is far from dire. He lost roughly half a mile per hour on his pitches but metrics such as Stuff+ and Statcast are conflicted on whether the quality of his pitches changed significantly enough to warrant his ERA dropping to roughly league-average.

      Castillo is signed for a little over $24 million per season through 2027 and has a vesting option for 2028 at $25 million.

      The Mariners have one of the best rotations in baseball but spend every season trying to scrape together enough runs to reach meaningful October baseball. There is a good chance they end up dealing some of that pitching for long-term lineup help.

      Bertz

      Here on the first day of the winter meetings, he Athletic provided an article touching on a number of Cubs subjects.  Among them Sahadev Sharma provided an update on the Cubs plans at catcher:

      Quote

      Despite the addition of Matt Thaiss, adding a viable catcher who can work in a timeshare with Miguel Amaya is a priority. Danny Jansen was an option the Cubs pursued, but ultimately the veteran chose the one-year, $8.5 million deal offered by Tampa Bay where he’ll be the starter. The team doggedly pursued an upgrade at the position at this past summer’s trade deadline but were rebuffed in their attempts.

      Again this winter, they’re finding it similarly difficult to find a regular starter at catcher via trade. Hardly a surprise considering the scarcity of talent at the position and the desire teams have to cling to their impactful catchers. The most likely path appears to be adding via free agency and with Jansen and Kyle Higashioka both off the market, the options are dwindling, with Carson Kelly the most obvious remaining free-agent backstop.

      Carson Kelly was written up last week as a Cubs target by Bruce Levine.  Given his place as the last remaining starting caliber catcher on the market, it seems likely his free agency comes to a head here at the winter meetings.

      If free agency doesn't prove a viable path for upgrading the position, it will be interesting to see what the team attempts via trade.  Logan O'Hoppe was reportedly the team's target at the trade deadline, but the Angels seem intent on attempting to compete in 2025.

      Bertz

      The duo over at The Athletic has been plugged into the Cubs thinking this winter.  This morning, they provide a little clarity on the teams' pursuit of starting pitching, as well as some timing:

      Quote

      Adding one more credible option to the rotation mix is likely for the Cubs. If that goal is accomplished in the next few weeks, it would likely have occurred via trade. But if that addition comes through free agency, the Cubs would probably wait out this current rush to sign starting pitchers, which has led to skyrocketing price tags.

      The wait on the Juan Soto sweepstakes and how that impacts the Cody Bellinger market is mentioned as a factor in the Cubs' decision making.  Presumably that could cut both ways, either allowing directly for a SP to be brought in as part of a Bellinger trade, or freeing up money to pursue a wider range of free agents.

      Walker Buehler is name checked as a potential target.  Though that middle class of free agent starters is moving quickly, so he may be gone by the time any requisite trade dominos fall.

      Bertz

      Tucked in an article about the Cubs' efforts to trade Cody Bellinger, Bruce Levine today also clarified targets for two other items on the to-do list: catcher and the bullpen.

      As the top two catchers on the (pretty weak) free agent catching market, Danny Jansen and Carson Kelly have long made sense as Cubs fits, but neither has had many tangible ties. Further, the note about Jansen's trade talks this winter appears to be new reporting.

      On the relief front, Chafin and Yates are both new names.  Again, they make sense logically; the Cubs need left-handed relief help.  Chafin is a long-time quality lefty setup man, and Yates' changeup allows the righty to function like a southpaw.

      Quote

      At the Winter Meetings, the Cubs will be seeking a catcher and bullpen help. Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen are a pair of catchers on the team’s radar.

      The Cubs talked at length with the Blue Jays about Jansen last July before he was traded to the Red Sox.

      Righty reliever Kirby Yates and lefty reliever Andrew Chafin are on the Cubs’ radar. The Cubs have been particularly light on veteran left-handed bullpen arms in the past two seasons, with righty reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who's now with the Yankees, often facing dangerous left-handed hitters because of his reverse splits.

      Bertz

      Because of the logical fit, a Mariners/Cubs swap of infielders for starting pitching has been oft discussed in the blog-o-sphere.  Turns out it has been discussed in real life as well.

      Quote

      The Mariners have also had preliminary talks with the Chicago Cubs about second baseman Nico Hoerner, a Gold Glove winner who offers positional versatility.

      The Cubs are seeking proven major league talent in talks for Hoerner, a source said.

      The Mariners have cultivated a wealth of talent in their minor league system — they had more prospects (eight) than any MLB team ranked in Baseball America’s Top 100 this summer — and Seattle’s front office has expressed a willingness, an industry source said, to include prospects in the right trade.

      No specific names are mentioned from Seattle's side, but it's hard to imagine someone other than one of their young starting pitchers being Jed's target.

      One potential wrinkle is that the Mariners seem to prefer addressing first and third base rather than the middle infield.

      Quote

      Seattle is searching for two new infielders and the Mariners would prefer to add one at each corner.

      Would Hoerner move over to third base? Or is Hoerner uniquely talented enough that they would move someone else internally over to the hot corner to accommodate him?

      Bertz

      This morning, MLB Network's JP Morosi lists the Cubs along with the Red Sox as notable candidates for White Sox ace Garret Crochet

      While cross-town deal are always more difficult to get across the line, the Jose Quintana and Craig Kimbrel deals in recent years have shown big deals can still get done between the clubs.

      Setting aside messy politics, the two clubs are actually very strong fits for each other on paper.  The Cubs want to add pitching talent, yet have self imposed payroll restrictions keeping them from shopping at the top of free agency.  Crochet's $3M projected salary can fit any team's budget.

      From the White Sox perspective, they're hoping to avoid furthering the historic levels of futility they displayed last year.  Selecting the Cubs as a trade partner allows them to acquire potential impact  minor league talent that has a first half of 2025 ETA and can help the big league club in short order.

       

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