https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/page/109/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/did-the-kyle-tucker-trade-upgrade-the-cubs-at-one-position-or-two-r1435/When the Cubs decided to trade their prospective right fielder for a much better one, they knew it would mean accepting more risk at another position. As things are panning out, their 2025 fortunes could hinge on whether or not they also got better at third base in the process. Because of th...1435Fri, 24 Jan 2025 12:51:46 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/matthew-boyd-and-the-killer-2-1-changeup-how-to-keep-tweaking-and-improving-as-a-career-gets-old-r1433/Step 1: Develop your underused third or fourth pitch. Step 2: Be brave. Throw it when no one's expecting it. The Cubs signed Matthew Boyd knowing he would be unlikely to deliver a full 30-start share in their 2025 rotation, and that he has historically been extremely vulnerable to home runs,...1433Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:22:07 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/where-will-the-cubs-find-their-roster-flexibility-as-they-continue-to-add-talent-r1431/The Cubs agreed to one addition to their roster Wednesday night, but more of them loom. With their roster full, how will they make room for the right guys? Jon Berti hasn't officially signed with the Cubs yet, but he'll become their utility infielder when that deal gets formally signed in th...1431Thu, 23 Jan 2025 12:49:47 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/cubs-sign-speed-demon-jon-berti-as-second-base-stopgap-and-utility-man-r1430/With Nico Hoerner's status for Opening Day much in doubt, one thing the Cubs wanted to do as they rounded out their roster was sign a capable second baseman who could stand in for him over the first few weeks. Wednesday night, they did so. The Chicago Cubs signed utility man Jon Berti to a o...1430Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:19:42 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/free-agent-harrison-bader-is-a-strong-target-for-cubs-outfield-bench-role-r1429/Jed Hoyer intends to upgrade the Cubs' bench before spring training begins next month. One of the best ways he could do so would be to sign a former center-field stalwart for the team's chief rivals. Now a few years into the peripatetic phase of his career, Harrison Bader had a fine but forg...1429Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:06:51 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/roki-sasaki-picking-the-dodgers-is-the-latest-reminder-cubs-need-to-show-free-agents-they-care-about-winning-r1428/In lots of cases, a free agent might eschew slightly more money to sign with one team instead of another. Usually, they do it because they love to win. But to prove they're a place where players can come to win, the Cubs also need to spend more money. In case you missed it, Roki Sasaki is he...1428Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:46:30 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/4-players-who-could-outperform-projections-for-the-chicago-cubs-in-2025-r1426/Tom Ricketts has spoken. The Cubs are going for the division title, and it's a glorious thing. Of course, there's the payroll limitations (which are Ricketts's choice) and Jed Hoyer's now-infamous "overperforming projections" statement. So who on the Cubs can pull this fabled overperformance off...1426Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:12:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/hall-of-fame-day-my-imaginary-ballot-and-the-reasons-for-my-choices-r1427/Tuesday evening will bring the results of the 2025 National Baseball Hall of Fame BBWAA election. Before that happens, here are my 10 selections from the annual ballot, and the reasons why I chose each—and why I excluded some other candidates. I hew to a few key principles when considering w...1427Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:25:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/whoever-suits-up-for-the-2025-chicago-cubs-the-coaches-have-to-make-them-better-r1425/The Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach Monday afternoon. It's a good reminder to Cubs fans that they also have a much-prized leader in their dugout, and that the team's ceiling might be set in part by a reshaped coaching staff, in addition to their raw talent. It's not a...1425Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:24:43 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/cubs-add-more-potential-bullpen-depth-sign-righty-trevor-richards-to-minor-league-deal-r1424/We've talked about the Cubs being near their limit for sheer depth options at the fringes of their bullpen, but apparently, they're not quite there yet. On Monday afternoon, they agreed to bring aboard a high-slot changeup specialist who could fit into a situational role near the bottom of their...1424Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:33:03 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/ranking-10-ways-chicago-cubs-can-spend-their-available-money-after-not-landing-tanner-scott-r1423/Sunday's news was a double whammy for the Cubs, who wanted Tanner Scott as the anchor of their bullpen and had built a portion of their spending plan for the balance of the winter around him. Do they still have good ways to use financial flexibility to get better? It's always important to re...1423Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:43:35 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/chicago-cubs-news/cubs/the-road-map-to-improvement-at-bat-for-chicago-cubs-pete-crow-armstrong-r1408/We've seen (more or less) the full force and value of the Cubs' young center fielder's speed and defense already. What has to happen, though, for his bat to round out the profile? Pete Crow-Armstrong is aggressive. He's incredibly aggressive chasing fly balls. The dirt on many infields is ch...1408Mon, 20 Jan 2025 12:25:02 +0000