Post Winter Meetings Free Agency thread

[Randall Simon]

None of the news, quotes or rumors have us engaged with any starters, FA or trade. So I'm prepared to be underwhelmed there, if anything at all.  I'm just hoping Jed does anything that moves the needle at all for the 2025 roster.

[KCCub]

Maybe the RP market will finally get to rolling.

Edited January 17, 2025 by KCCub

[Brian707]

8 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I get that and like I just mentioned above,  if i see a topic being written of it, I obviously won't post it or just delete it if I did.

Maybe we need to start closing some threads and limiting active topics.

We have a trade topic and FA topic, but then someone will start a cubs trade for or Cubs signed thread and now there's different threads of it to be discussed at.

This thread been most active that why I looked here to see if it was mentioned or if anything being discussed that interesting. 

 

[chibears55]

2 minutes ago, Randall Simon said:

None of the news, quotes or rumors have us engaged with any starters, FA or trade. So I'm prepared to be underwhelmed there, if anything at all.  I'm just hoping Jed does anything that moves the needle at all for the 2025 roster.

Like my discussions with Rcal, I really believe they were just hoping for Sasaki but are ok with going with the 5 they have and with the depth they have to start the season with.

If they're in contention come July, then they can pursue a SP and will likely have more then enough money under the Threshold to acquire a good one that a money dump for a team and not have to give up top prospects or multiple of them to acquire.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, KCCub said:

 

 

Seems to be way more than I would have thought he would get. 

[KCCub]

3 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Seems to be way more than I would have thought he would get. 

Yea MLBTR had him at 2/$16m and Crowd Source 1/$5m. Mets must not be concerned about his hip injury lingering

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, KCCub said:

Yea MLBTR had him at 2/$16m and Crowd Source 1/$5m. Mets must not be concerned about his hip injury lingering

The problem is now that he got this, what does Yates or Robertson or any other guy the Cubs see as a back end guy go for? 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I find it very amusing that the Mets just treat money as made up when they sign a free agent but simultaneously act like they will descend into anarchy if they give Alonso a single dollar more than offered

[17 Seconds]

18 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I find it very amusing that the Mets just treat money as made up when they sign a free agent but simultaneously act like they will descend into anarchy if they give Alonso a single dollar more than offered

[We Got The Whole 9]

I would have been fine with that contract for Minter. 

[Post Count Padder]

Morejon would be a solid get.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

They don't have Suarez's contract right, he has an opt out after this season that amounts to a 2/16 player option, there is no option on the club side as far as I can tell.

[Rcal10]

Leclerc off the market too. He went for $10M. Yates is going to get $15M. Maybe even a second year. Robertson or Jansen at probably $12M. 

[Stratos]

9 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Leclerc off the market too. He went for $10M. Yates is going to get $15M. Maybe even a second year. Robertson or Jansen at probably $12M. 

When prices go up winners reduce payroll.

[Rcal10]

29 minutes ago, Stratos said:

When prices go up winners reduce payroll.

What does this mean? Please explain. 

[Stratos]

 

[Stratos]

Some notes from this article about a recent Jesse Rogers interview:  https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/01/17/cubs-free-agent-plans/

- "Rogers feels very confident that the Cubs will sign (more likely) or trade for (less likely) an established back-end reliever before Opening Day. “(I) truly believe they will sign a back-end closer. I guess there’s a chance at a trade. But one way or another, this team will have one of the back-end relievers on the market.”  ...Rogers continued on to say that “The Cubs have basically checked in on all of (the free agent relievers, including Tanner Scott).” And that he thinks “they’re saving whatever dollars they have left for a back-end guy, a closer.”

- Says they're likely to add another bat, likely an FA 3B.  3B market has been a little slow because of Bregman.

- Speculation but:  "...the Cubs are likely slow-playing both of these pursuits (closer and third base). According to Rogers, if the market craters for certain guys and one-year deals really do make it to the table, the Cubs will have the flexibility to go there: “A month from now, if Jack Flaherty, Pete Alonso, and Alex Bregman haven’t signed, all bets are off. And that’s why I think the Cubs are probably waiting it out a bit. The Cubs are flexible enough to give them $25 or $30M for a one-year deal.”

 

[Rcal10]

Are Bader and J. Turner still available? I feel they are but not sure if I missed anything. I feel like adding those guys and Scott or, more likely, Yates would be a good finish to the off season. Turner can play 1st on days you give Busch a day off and fill in for Shaw if/when Shaw struggles. And can fill for PCA against tough lefties. The rest of the bench is Kelly and either Brujan or Workman. That would probably get them close to spending near the LT line and give them a solid bench and pen. Not thrilled with the rotation, but maybe they know more than us. Maybe they expect Wicks, Horton and/or Brown to be someone who can be a solid #3 starter for them this year. Maybe only for 100 innings, however. Which would be fine. 

[chibears55]

Here what I'd like to see Hoyer do before ST starts up.

Sign Tanner Scott to close 

Add a veteran utility player with HR power

Id like to see another SP added but I'm ok with seeing how Assad or one of their other prospect does and if needed, they can address another SP come the trade deadline. 

 

[Dfan25]

Ricketts said the team expects to spend around the 241 . If true that they are still 43 million under . That should give him around 33 for what is left to do this off season .  
 

Thats more than enough to get a closer and two bench bats . 

Edited January 18, 2025 by Dfan25

[Irrelevant Dude]

7 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Thats more than enough to get a closer and two bench bats . 

Or 6 more fringe relievers.

[chibears55]

27 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Ricketts said the team expects to spend around the 241 . If true that they are still 43 million under . That should give him around 33 for what is left to do this off season .  
 

Thats more than enough to get a closer and two bench bats . 

Tanner Scott have to be the guy they wrap up for the closer spot.

[Dfan25]

 

[Dfan25]

Scott to Dodgers . Market should get moving now 

[s2obed]

Re: T Scott

Jesse Rogers says it was down to the cubs and dodgers. Cubs never stood a chance basically 😂

Edited January 19, 2025 by s2obed