Cubs 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[Dfan25]

My way too early offseason plan would  include :

 

Decline Shota 

Pick up Kittridge

Trade for Joe Ryan  ( Cassie / Shaw ) ?

Sign Bichette or Bregman for 3B 

Move Brown to the pen  

Alcantara / Long as part of the bench 

Ballesteros DH vs Righties 

Extend  Nico

 

That wouid leave Palencia and Kittridge as the only true high leverage options , so obviously more pen moves would be needed 

With all this said , I probably change my mind in a couple of days .

Edited October 15, 2025 by Dfan25

[CDM0481]

8 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

His 2026 option is $20M.  There is a chance he exceeds that contract, but no way would I give up anything more than complete minor league roster filler for him.

Apologies everyone. When I suggested trading for Luis Robert, I meant trading either Shaw or Cassie. Didn’t mean “and”.

[Irrelevant Dude]

Just now, CDM0481 said:

Apologies everyone. When I suggested trading for Luis Robert, I meant trading either Shaw or Cassie. Didn’t mean “and”.

That doesn't really change the calculus here.  Either one of those guys is a massive overpay.

[Irrelevant Dude]

As long as the Cubs don't expect any lingering injury issues for Amaya, I still think the right move is to trade Kelly.  Amaya can start a majority of games, with Mcguire serving as an occasional backup.  Ballasteros spends most of his time at DH, but also gets worked in at Catcher on a semi-regular basis.  I think Ballasteros needs to get a chance to catch, at least occasionally, and he isn't going to get that if both Amaya and Kelly are on the roster.  And if he shows that he really can't handle it, Mcguire is a serviceable enough backup.

[Rcal10]

48 minutes ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

As long as the Cubs don't expect any lingering injury issues for Amaya, I still think the right move is to trade Kelly.  Amaya can start a majority of games, with Mcguire serving as an occasional backup.  Ballasteros spends most of his time at DH, but also gets worked in at Catcher on a semi-regular basis.  I think Ballasteros needs to get a chance to catch, at least occasionally, and he isn't going to get that if both Amaya and Kelly are on the roster.  And if he shows that he really can't handle it, Mcguire is a serviceable enough backup.

What are you expecting back for a journeyman catcher who has a career year? I wouldn’t think much would come back. 

[Irrelevant Dude]

He has value, and more value coming off a career year than he would have had otherwise. Not expecting a haul, but he could bring a useful piece back.

[Neuby]

No interest in Kittridge at almost 10M- would rather gamble on Kopeck, Yates, Jansen.

 

Target one of

Cease, Bieber , King

 

 

 

[BigbadB]

2 hours ago, Neuby said:

No interest in Kittridge at almost 10M- would rather gamble on Kopeck, Yates, Jansen.

 

Target one of

Cease, Bieber , King

 

 

 

But why Cease? I just don't see anything in his peripherals that make him a desirable choice. I'd take any of the current Cubs starters (Steele, Horton, Boyd, Imanaga, Taillon) over Cease as rotation options. If you are adding someone, get someone who is significantly better than the aforementioned.

[CubUgly]

23 hours ago, Cuzi said:

So do the Cubs.

Having enough and having much more than enough are two different things both practically and in reality.  In this case the Yankees and Dodgers can outspend the Cubs any time they want, that's just a fact, especially the Dodgers - that t.v. contract puts them in the position of being able to throw away money at will.   

Now the Cubs won't even try against those two teams if it comes to it -  and that's disappointing - I get it, but both things can be true and are.   The fact that we won't go over the luxury tax is to me pretty pathetic.  But let's not confuse that with outspending the Yankees and Dodgers.  

Honestly, from my perspective a 10 year $400 million dollar deal for what I just saw this past year would be throwing money away.    I'd much rather spread that out among multiple players to improve our roster.  Now if you want to say the Cubs won't do that either, I couldn't argue that - they have not shown they will in quite a while. 

[Bertz]

The Athletic says Jed's end of season presser is today FYI

[Cuzi]

3 hours ago, CubUgly said:

Having enough and having much more than enough are two different things both practically and in reality.  In this case the Yankees and Dodgers can outspend the Cubs any time they want, that's just a fact, especially the Dodgers - that t.v. contract puts them in the position of being able to throw away money at will.   

Now the Cubs won't even try against those two teams if it comes to it -  and that's disappointing - I get it, but both things can be true and are.   The fact that we won't go over the luxury tax is to me pretty pathetic.  But let's not confuse that with outspending the Yankees and Dodgers.  

Honestly, from my perspective a 10 year $400 million dollar deal for what I just saw this past year would be throwing money away.    I'd much rather spread that out among multiple players to improve our roster.  Now if you want to say the Cubs won't do that either, I couldn't argue that - they have not shown they will in quite a while. 

The Cubs have more than enough. Teams with far less revenue are signing multiple deals larger than any single contract the Cubs have on their payroll.

The problem isnt the money, when it comes to the Cubs. The problem is we have a FO that seemingly operates with the belief that every contract needs to have surplus value. Outside of Max Scherzer's deal with the Nationals, I dont think there's a single mega deal that ended up in favor of the team. That doesn't stop the financial muscle of the sport from paying the price, but it sure does chase away Jed Hoyer.

Edited October 15, 2025 by Cuzi

[Jason Ross]

9 hours ago, Neuby said:

No interest in Kittridge at almost 10M- would rather gamble on Kopeck, Yates, Jansen.

 

Target one of

Cease, Bieber , King

 

 

 

Kittredge at 1/$9m, in my opinion, would be an easy slam dunk. Mason Miller is the only RP who had a better xFIP in baseball (not of traded relievers, of every reliever in baseball) post the deadline. I'm fine admitting that probably can't be expected, but part of the reason he improved drastically dealt with how the Cubs had him adjust his offerings. 

At 1/$9m, you don't take on much risk. The Cubs have spent similar money on one year deals for Hector Neris and Ryan Pressley, and while Kittredge is also older, there isn't much under the hood in common. The previous two had seen some velocity drop and I think you could make arguments on both as to signs of decline; Kittredge got better as the year went on. 

There's no such thing as a bad one year deal. I'd pick his option up and not think twice. 

[imb]

6 hours ago, BigbadB said:

But why Cease? I just don't see anything in his peripherals that make him a desirable choice. I'd take any of the current Cubs starters (Steele, Horton, Boyd, Imanaga, Taillon) over Cease as rotation options. If you are adding someone, get someone who is significantly better than the aforementioned.

his peripherals look great to me

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I don't know horsefeathers but he has a ton of red bars on baseball savant.

[Geographyhater8888]

I’d be surprised if they seriously pursue Bregman but I’m curious why they wouldn’t even offer him an opt out after 2025 last offseason with Shaw being the future third baseman.

Edited October 15, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Hot Sauce]

Jed needs to stop being so milquetoast in his statements. “We’ll certainly be having those conversations” sounds like even he doesn’t believe he has the ability to negotiate a contract. He undermines his own credibility talking like that.

[Outshined_One]

6 minutes ago, Hot Sauce said:

Jed needs to stop being so milquetoast in his statements. “We’ll certainly be having those conversations” sounds like even he doesn’t believe he has the ability to negotiate a contract. He undermines his own credibility talking like that.

Unfortunately, he has to operate within the rules regarding things like tampering, so this sort of mealy-mouthed doubletalk is par for the course across MLB when it comes to free agency and player contracts.  You don't want to get fined or lose draft picks because you talked out of turn.

[Cuzi]

5 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

Unfortunately, he has to operate within the rules regarding things like tampering, so this sort of mealy-mouthed doubletalk is par for the course across MLB when it comes to free agency and player contracts.  You don't want to get fined or lose draft picks because you talked out of turn.

I'm assuming that quote is referring to Kyle Tucker, in which Kyle Tucker is still a member of the Chicago Cubs until the day after the end of the WS. Kind of hard to be accused of tampering with your own player.

Edited October 15, 2025 by Cuzi

[Manny Trillos Brother]

But, also, you give up leverage if you say "we're definitely going to extend PCA". The first thing his agent will say is "Hey Jed, you told you fan base PCA was going to be here long term. Pay my client the extra $10m." 

It's dumb, but you are almost never going to get the CEO/President of a company commit to something that may or may not happen.

Edited October 15, 2025 by Manny Trillos Brother

[Rcal10]

21 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

I'm assuming that quote is referring to Kyle Tucker, in which Kyle Tucker is still a member of the Chicago Cubs until the day after the end of the WS. Kind of hard to be accused of tampering with your own player.

I agree with you. But the fact is no POBO is going to say anything of importance at a season ended press conference. Jed did what they all will do. However, had he said they were going to go hard after Tucker, that wouldn’t have been tampering. It would have been a stupid thing to say, but not tampering. 

[CubUgly]

3 hours ago, Cuzi said:

The Cubs have more than enough. Teams with far less revenue are signing multiple deals larger than any single contract the Cubs have on their payroll.

The problem isnt the money, when it comes to the Cubs. The problem is we have a FO that seemingly operates with the belief that every contract needs to have surplus value. Outside of Max Scherzer's deal with the Nationals, I dont think there's a single mega deal that ended up in favor of the team. That doesn't stop the financial muscle of the sport from paying the price, but it sure does chase away Jed Hoyer.

they don't have enough to outbid the Dodgers and Yankees they just don't that's a fact.  If either of those teams wants Tucker the Cubs can't outbid them.  The Cubs are rich and able in a vacuum but there is always context aside from just they won't.  In this context vs. the Yankees and more specifically and the Dodgers, they can't. 

They do have enough to do all the other things you mention and again and you are right there are reasons beyond being financially able and capable that the Cubs choose to hide behind in going after free agent talent.  Again, both can be true.

[Cuzi]

12 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

they don't have enough to outbid the Dodgers and Yankees they just don't that's a fact.  If either of those teams wants Tucker the Cubs can't outbid them.  The Cubs are rich and able in a vacuum but there is always context aside from just they won't.  In this context vs. the Yankees and more specifically and the Dodgers, they can't. 

They do have enough to do all the other things you mention and again and you are right there are reasons beyond being financially able and capable that the Cubs choose to hide behind in going after free agent talent.  Again, both can be true.

I'm not arguing the Cubs wont outbid the Dodgers or Yankees.

You are saying the Cubs dont have more than enough money to eat a large contract if things go south.

That statement is far from the truth. When teams like the Angels, Padres, Rangers, Phillies, etc... are carrying multiple larger contracts than the single highest contract on the Cubs, that contract being the ONLY 9 figure contract on the team, the Cubs have PLENTY of money.

Edited October 15, 2025 by Cuzi

[Transmogrified Tiger]

3 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

Kittredge at 1/$9m, in my opinion, would be an easy slam dunk. Mason Miller is the only RP who had a better xFIP in baseball (not of traded relievers, of every reliever in baseball) post the deadline. I'm fine admitting that probably can't be expected, but part of the reason he improved drastically dealt with how the Cubs had him adjust his offerings. 

At 1/$9m, you don't take on much risk. The Cubs have spent similar money on one year deals for Hector Neris and Ryan Pressley, and while Kittredge is also older, there isn't much under the hood in common. The previous two had seen some velocity drop and I think you could make arguments on both as to signs of decline; Kittredge got better as the year went on. 

There's no such thing as a bad one year deal. I'd pick his option up and not think twice. 

I don't mind Kittredge at his option(which is technically an 8m decision since he has a 1m buyout if declined) in the abstract, but it comes down to total money to spend.  How many Kittredge+ salaries can the 2026 Cubs reasonably carry in the pen?  If the answer is 1, I would rather it not be Kittredge.  If the answer is 2, I think it's still an open question.  If it's 3, then it's an easy decision, but I'm not very confident the answer is 3.

[Jason Ross]

8 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I don't mind Kittredge at his option(which is technically an 8m decision since he has a 1m buyout if declined) in the abstract, but it comes down to total money to spend.  How many Kittredge+ salaries can the 2026 Cubs reasonably carry in the pen?  If the answer is 1, I would rather it not be Kittredge.  If the answer is 2, I think it's still an open question.  If it's 3, then it's an easy decision, but I'm not very confident the answer is 3.

I would certainly hope that the Cubs can carry two. I think if there's one thing they should have learned the last few years is that while they've had a strong ability to build a bullpen through your castoffs, finding excellent relievers such as Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and Caleb Thielbar types with enough regularity, but they routinely seem to come up one reliever short. 

If it's just one of those types, I'd probably agree, that the answer should be someone else, I'd be partial to a Brad Keller extension myself, I think he's a great reliever. But I will say that if the Cubs are going to only go one of these types and it's going to be a one year type,. in the way they have gone recently (Neris, Pressley, for examples) than Kittredge would probably be on the top of my list for the "one year" types. After the Cubs got him, he posted a 1.45 xFIP, a 39% K%, and a 3.7 BB%. Velocity was stable, stuff took a leap with better placement...I don't think he's probably that good, but if the stuff holds into age 36 (and there doesn't appear to be a concern there in the data) than I expect he'll be very good on a 1/$8m.

Ultimately, I think the Cubs, if they're going to let Tucker walk, which it seems like they're going to do just reading tea leaves, than investment into stable pitching is the way you spread out that money, and Kittredge would be apart of that. At least for me.

[Bertz]

Didn't see Jed's conference, but reading Brett Taylor's recap doesn't seem like much of consequence was said.  This is probably the thing that stood out the most?

Quote

Jed doesn’t understand focusing on Wrigley weather issues when constructing a team – because it changes year to year. It’s randomness. Also, guys put up huge numbers this year, so it’s not as if Wrigley is universally a hitter’s nightmare. He doesn’t see it as an issue in getting hitters to want to be at Wrigley. That said, the fact that Wrigley plays so differently from day to day means you need really good, well-rounded players/roster. Have to be a swiss army knife of an offense, and that part is every year.

Probably expect the Cubs to continue focusing on well rounded athletes on the position player side, guys who help you whether the wind is blowing in or out.  One dimensional sluggers (say... Geno Suarez?) probably aren’t going to be where the team throws their resources.

This one maybe too?

Quote

One of the main things Jed will think about the season is about the defense as the backbone of their success. That said, when the ball is not in play, that’s always better. So you’re looking for stuff and strikeouts. But the combination of the pitching infrastructure and the defense does allow us to get more out of pitchers.

The team wants more strikeouts, but probably not so bad that they're going to like take Taillon out back and shoot him.