Cubs Week In Review: Corbin Burnes Joins Snakes, Matt Mervis Dealt to the Marlins

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The Cubs did end up making a deal with the Miami Marlins, but not the one we might have expected a couple weeks ago, when Santa had yet to slide down our chimneys. 

Image courtesy of © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Were the Cubs not to make one move more this offseason, the acquisition of thrilling outfielder Kyle Tucker would still push the North Siders to the top of some experts' division prognostications. With boppers like Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch, a key positional reinforcement in catcher Carson Kelly, and Tucker, Craig Counsell's squad has announced that (at least from an offensive standpoint) they won't be outdone by their neighbors up in Milwaukee.

Still, they have some clear needs. This Cubs team ranked 10th in team ERA in 2024, at 3.78. Veteran Jameson Taillon continues to punch way above his weight class when cast as a third starter, though, and his teammate Shota Imanaga (regardless of his exhilarating 2024 performances) is going to be 32 before the end of next season. The Cubs need a young, fearsome ace-level starting pitcher. We now know for sure what we already guessed, which is that it won't be Corbin Burnes who fills that void. This week, he signed with the Diamondbacks for six years and $210 million. They'll continue working the trade market, instead, in the weeks ahead.

For longer than Bears fans have chucked their tavern-style pizza at their TV screens, the Cubs have been collecting prospects like Matt Mervis. The Cubs sent Mervis to the Miami Marlins Sunday in exchange for 26-year old utility man Vidal Bruján. In 278 plate appearances in 2024, Bruján struck out just 54 times. Discipline and the ability to work counts were missing ingredients for the team's bench last year, a shortcoming they'll hope to address with this addition. If nothing else, he gives them a better chance of hitting on a helpful option, as Bruján can mix into a spring competition with Miles Mastrobuoni, Luis Vázquez and Gage Workman for what could be one or two roles.

I've always had quite a bit more fun singing Steve Goodman's "Go Cubs Go" than "Auld Lang Syne," even if both tend to be accompanied by the same types of delicious beverages. If the Cubs truly have another big splash left in this offseason, I'd be happy belting both at the top of my lungs.

 

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