Cubs 2025 Season Review/Offseason Preview Thread

[Outshined_One]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

Tucker is going to net the team a 2nd round pick and they have been more willing to spend on comp players when they already were getting a pick back. So I think if you want a big offseason, Imai might be the pathway. 

I've been thinking the Cubs might explore trade options to address Tucker's absence.  I don't see them in on Bellinger or Schwarber (sadly), and the prospect of Yaz or Refsnyder is just depressing.  Based on how the season finished, I get the lingering sense that the team isn't quite sold on handing a starting OF job to Caissie/Alcantara, and the idea of shifting Seiya to RF and having Ballesteros take over at DH doesn't quite seem right to me, especially since Amaya should be 100% healthy and ready to take the backup C role.

There are some intriguing OF trade candidates going into the offseason.  Jarren Duran will be the main name thrown around, but I don't think the Cubs match up super great with the Red Sox, so I'm wondering how this team would feel about someone like Steven Kwan or Taylor Ward.

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Outshined_One said:

I've been thinking the Cubs might explore trade options to address Tucker's absence.  I don't see them in on Bellinger or Schwarber (sadly), and the prospect of Yaz or Refsnyder is just depressing.  Based on how the season finished, I get the lingering sense that the team isn't quite sold on handing a starting OF job to Caissie/Alcantara, and the idea of shifting Seiya to RF and having Ballesteros take over at DH doesn't quite seem right to me, especially since Amaya should be 100% healthy and ready to take the backup C role.

There are some intriguing OF trade candidates going into the offseason.  Jarren Duran will be the main name thrown around, but I don't think the Cubs match up super great with the Red Sox, so I'm wondering how this team would feel about someone like Steven Kwan or Taylor Ward.

What happened the end of the season for you to suggest you don’t feel the cubs plan on either Cassie, Alcantara or Ballesteros taken over a spot in the every day line up. I mean, they may not, but I didn’t see anything to suggest that. Alcantara was actually injured and is having surgery this off season, Cassie had a concussion and when Tucker was out Ballesteros was in the middle of the line up. To me, nothing points to them not  trusting those guys to take the spot. To me, the the bigger question is “would putting them there be the right move”? I am not sure it is But I do not feel the Cubs did anything to suggest one way or the other, where they were going. And, if anything, I feel Ballesteros in the middle of the line up was a sign they do believe in his bat. 

Edited October 21, 2025 by Rcal10

[squally1313]

Thoughts on:

Sign Eugenio Suarez to some 3/$60 type deal (will be 35 next year, coming off a 8/$79m deal), give him an opt out if he wants it, front load it. 

Trade from the Shaw/Ballesteros/Caissie group to get Skubal, knowing you have all the money in the world to sign him to a long term deal that kicks in once Taillon/Happ/Suzuki/Hoerner fall off. It doesn't have to be Shaw that goes in the trade, Suarez' defensive metrics fell off and he can start as the de facto DH and is essentially the backup infielder with the flexibility of Shaw and Hoerner. Or you trade Shaw and just slot Suarez in and go with Ballesteor/Caissie as DH/RF

Your offense takes a small hit but adds righty power, and we get to roll out the best pitcher in baseball without having to take on a ton of 2026 salary commitment. Spend 2026 working on Skubal/Hoerner/PCA extensions. I'd prefer a bigger bat than Suarez but anyone better than him is probably going to require a much longer deal. Having a rotation of Skubal (L)/Horton (R)/Steele (L)/Boyd (L) down the stretch is pretty nice to think about. 

 

[mk49]

If the Cubs get Skubal, that would be great, as long as he stays.

I just watched Imai for the first time.  He had 17 K's.  Looks like he has nasty slider, splitter and fastball that's not bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdfT6gHx_U8

[squally1313]

3 minutes ago, mk49 said:

If the Cubs get Skubal, that would be great, as long as he stays.

Eh, the Tucker trade was good in my opinion, regardless of what happens from here on out. We're in a win now stretch with a bunch of blocked prospects, and we've already got Horton/PCA/Busch/Amaya/maybe Shaw locked in with a ton of controlled years. Trading for multiple years of Skubal would have cost PCA plus more. Paying for multiple years of Skubal would cost (reportedly) $400m. One year costs a blocked prospect or two and $15m-$20m. 

[Cuzi]

Any trade that evolves around extending someone to a $300M+ contract I'm just going to immediately chuck in the trash bin until this FO signals a shift in the wind. The only player they have even been rumored to be in on for over that number was Ohtani. The end of season rumors from insiders is that the Cubs never intended to extend Tucker and they punted the remainder of the offseason and deadline after the acquisition. Tucker was purely a move for Jed Hoyer to put a team in the playoffs and save his job. Mission accomplished.

With that out of the way, I am fully prepared for Shaw being the 3B, Suzuki going back to RF, and Ballesteros being the DH. There will be a battle for the bench role between Alcantara/Caissie and the loser gets traded in a package for an average inning eater type pitcher with 2-3 years of control. The big SP signing will be something like Brandon Woodruff on a multi-year opt out heavy contract (which I'm fine with). The rest of the money will go into the bench and bullpen.

Edited October 21, 2025 by Cuzi

[Bertz]

32 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Eh, the Tucker trade was good in my opinion, regardless of what happens from here on out. We're in a win now stretch with a bunch of blocked prospects, and we've already got Horton/PCA/Busch/Amaya/maybe Shaw locked in with a ton of controlled years. Trading for multiple years of Skubal would have cost PCA plus more. Paying for multiple years of Skubal would cost (reportedly) $400m. One year costs a blocked prospect or two and $15m-$20m. 

I'm happy to do a Tucker trade most years, but adding a walk year player of that stature on top of what we've already got slated for FA doesn't sit right with me.  We'd be talking nearly 25 WAR walking out the door next winter.

[squally1313]

4 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I'm happy to do a Tucker trade most years, but adding a walk year player of that stature on top of what we've already got slated for FA doesn't sit right with me.  We'd be talking nearly 25 WAR walking out the door next winter.

Which, to be fair, is Ricketts' probably ideal position to be in. But I get your point. Works better if paired with a Hoerner extension, Taillon trade, etc, to soften the blow. 

[Derwood]

6 minutes ago, Bertz said:

I'm happy to do a Tucker trade most years, but adding a walk year player of that stature on top of what we've already got slated for FA doesn't sit right with me.  We'd be talking nearly 25 WAR walking out the door next winter.

Why assume that every single free agent won't be re-signed?

[Rcal10]

23 minutes ago, Cuzi said:

Any trade that evolves around extending someone to a $300M+ contract I'm just going to immediately chuck in the trash bin until this FO signals a shift in the wind. The only player they have even been rumored to be in on for over that number was Ohtani. The end of season rumors from insiders is that the Cubs never intended to extend Tucker and they punted the remainder of the offseason and deadline after the acquisition. Tucker was purely a move for Jed Hoyer to put a team in the playoffs and save his job. Mission accomplished.

With that out of the way, I am fully prepared for Shaw being the 3B, Suzuki going back to RF, and Ballesteros being the DH. There will be a battle for the bench role between Alcantara/Caissie and the loser gets traded in a package for an average inning eater type pitcher with 2-3 years of control. The big SP signing will be something like Brandon Woodruff on a multi-year opt out heavy contract (which I'm fine with). The rest of the money will go into the bench and bullpen.

Your trade idea sounds like Mitch Keller to me. I can see that and maybe Bieber, Woodruff or a Japanese pitcher added. Let Imanaga walk and trade Tailon. That would leave a large chuck of money for the pen and a bat. Maybe a right handed bat who can play 1st base off the bench. Someone who hits lefties well. Maybe Andujar? So if there is a big FA spend it would be in the pen. 

[Stratos]

5 hours ago, Bertz said:

I'm not going to put a stake in the ground for a specific guy, but this is not going to be a winter where the team just adds a $15M starting pitcher and a bunch of $5M relievers.  Team context matters a ton.

The primary goal of this organization is to make as much profit as possible.  Winning a WS or making the playoffs only matters to them in the context of making profits and the cost/benefits of spending payroll to try to go so.  They reduced payroll last offseason.  I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again.  I don't see any correlation between revenue and payroll with this team.

If Wrigley filled its seats just the same with a 140m payroll and a 4th place team then I'd assume they'd run a 140m payroll. 

I'm expecting a signing like King or Bieber at SP and the usual mix of veterans and bargain bin signings in the pen.  This FO rarely buys high on FAs.  Most fans are emotional and illogical and have problems delaying gratification so typically want to buy high regardless of the longterm consequences.  They'd be terrible playing the stock market.  Maximizing return on investment is what matters to this FO and ownership, besides last offseason when Jed's job was on the line which i assume was a factor with the Tucker trade, which necessitated short-term over longterm gains.

The fundamental cause of the conflict between Cubs ownership and fans is that their goals are different.  Fans don't care about profits and ownership doesn't care about winning outside of a means of generating more profit.

Edited October 21, 2025 by Stratos

[Rcal10]

20 minutes ago, Stratos said:

The fundamental cause of the conflict between Cubs ownership and fans is that their goals are different.  Fans don't care about profits and ownership doesn't care about winning outside of a means of generating more profit.

 Basically this says it all. And, tbh, this goes for most organizations in all sports. 

[Bertz]

37 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Why assume that every single free agent won't be re-signed?

I don't that's just a lot to do.  There are currently four starting caliber hitters and two or three starting pitchers (depending on how Shota's situation shakes out) heading into free agency.  None of those guys except Hoerner are way underpaid, so by no means is it going to be impossible to navigate.  But it's going to be complicated, and adding "retain or replace the best pitcher in baseball" ratchets up the difficulty significantly.

If Jed goes to the winter meetings with "6 Starting Pitcher WAR" on his shopping list this is a year where I'd prefer a guy who's going to give you 3 each of the next two years rather than 6 up front.

Next year?  Hell yeah please do another Tucker type trade.  This year give me some bridge guys.

[Bertz]

29 minutes ago, Stratos said:

The primary goal of this organization is to make as much profit as possible.  Winning a WS or making the playoffs only matters to them in the context of making profits and the cost/benefits of spending payroll to try to go so.  They reduced payroll last offseason.  I wouldn't be surprised if it happened again.  I don't see any correlation between revenue and payroll with this team.

If Wrigley filled its seats just the same with a 140m payroll and a 4th place team then I'd assume they'd run a 140m payroll. 

I'm expecting a signing like King or Bieber at SP and the usual mix of veterans and bargain bin signings in the pen.  This FO rarely buys high on FAs.  Most fans are emotional and illogical and have problems delaying gratification so typically want to buy high regardless of the longterm consequences.  They'd be terrible playing the stock market.  Maximizing return on investment is what matters to this FO and ownership, besides last offseason when Jed's job was on the line which i assume was a factor with the Tucker trade, which necessitated short-term over longterm gains.

The fundamental cause of the conflict between Cubs ownership and fans is that their goals are different.  Fans don't care about profits and ownership doesn't care about winning outside of a means of generating more profit.

[chibears55]

11 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Even with minimal changes in the offseason this team will likely still be in the playoff mix. A full season of Horton, Shaw and Steele returning are all positive reinforcements. You really think they’d have another sell off at the deadline unless they’re 5 games back of the 6th wild card spot? Unless something unpredictable happens Cassie will have a lineup spot waiting for him and will have his opportunity assuming Tucker walks.

 

If they add to the pitching in offseason, I think they should push 90 wins again. 

As far as a sell off goes, I've said before that I think it depends on where theyre at in July and that they might look into moving guys on expiring contracts at the deadline if they're under 500 and a postseason return looks bleak.

I also said I expect Caissie to come up at some point during season after April and felt that they would probably add a guy like Pham or comparable that they can sign for 1 or 2 years and can hold down RF, or just go with Suzuki until Caissie is ready.

Edited October 21, 2025 by chibears55

[Outshined_One]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

What happened the end of the season for you to suggest you don’t feel the cubs plan on either Cassie, Alcantara or Ballesteros taken over a spot in the every day line up. I mean, they may not, but I didn’t see anything to suggest that.

More a vibe than anything else as to Caissie/Alcantara.  Note I didn't say the same about Ballesteros, who was the first to get the call when there was an opening.  He acquitted himself well, so I think he'll stay in the system in 2026, even if it's to work on catching at Iowa.  Injuries definitely derailed Caissie and Alcantara, but with the Cubs in win-now mode, it didn't seem like there was a priority on getting them playing time, even when Tucker's calf was mooing.

I could see a world where the Cubs get middling starter like Refsnyder or Yaz as a corner OF backup plan and letting Caissie and/or Alcantara sink or swim, but this isn't a team that can afford to give 300 plate appearances to a corner OF who will likely struggle in adjusting to major league pitching.

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

What happened the end of the season for you to suggest you don’t feel the cubs plan on either Cassie, Alcantara or Ballesteros taken over a spot in the every day line up. I mean, they may not, but I didn’t see anything to suggest that. Alcantara was actually injured and is having surgery this off season, Cassie had a concussion and when Tucker was out Ballesteros was in the middle of the line up. To me, nothing points to them not  trusting those guys to take the spot. To me, the the bigger question is “would putting them there be the right move”? I am not sure it is But I do not feel the Cubs did anything to suggest one way or the other, where they were going. And, if anything, I feel Ballesteros in the middle of the line up was a sign they do believe in his bat. 

Right, yes they could go out and bring in veterans to play RF and or DH, but Hoyer does have the option to just go ahead and let Caissie be the RFer and or let Ballesteros be the DH either on opening day or at some point during the season. 

I believe Alcantara will ikely be a bench guy/ OF Depth in 2026 or used in a trade for pitching 

With most of the position players already in place and prospects like Caissie and Ballesteros, Hoyer can put most of his focus this offseason on pitching. 

[Bertz]

47 minutes ago, Outshined_One said:

More a vibe than anything else as to Caissie/Alcantara.  Note I didn't say the same about Ballesteros, who was the first to get the call when there was an opening.  He acquitted himself well, so I think he'll stay in the system in 2026, even if it's to work on catching at Iowa.  Injuries definitely derailed Caissie and Alcantara, but with the Cubs in win-now mode, it didn't seem like there was a priority on getting them playing time, even when Tucker's calf was mooing.

I could see a world where the Cubs get middling starter like Refsnyder or Yaz as a corner OF backup plan and letting Caissie and/or Alcantara sink or swim, but this isn't a team that can afford to give 300 plate appearances to a corner OF who will likely struggle in adjusting to major league pitching.

I'd be pretty shocked by a lefty like Yaz.  A righty like Refsnyder, Austin Hays, Ramon Laureano, etc. makes a ton of sense.  These guys are ideally platoon bats but  can probably float you to at least the deadline if the kids fail and they need to play every day. 

But as much as I do agree there's a little bit of a vibe that the team doesn't believe in Caissie, I'd be shocked if they bring in a LHH outfielder/1B/DH type unless it's Tucker.  Even if Caissie's dealt you probably want platoon help for Mo.  Long's a reverse splits type and I suspect Alcantara's bat, even against lefties, is an upgrade over PCA but not one you'd consider DH caliber.

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, chibears55 said:

If they add to the pitching in offseason, I think they should push 90 wins again. 

As far as a sell off goes, I've said before that I think it depends on where theyre at in July and that they might look into moving guys on expiring contracts at the deadline if they're under 500 and a postseason return looks bleak.

I also said I expect Caissie to come up at some point during season after April and felt that they would probably add a guy like Pham or comparable that they can sign for 1 or 2 years and can hold down RF, or just go with Suzuki until Caissie is ready.

Come on chibear, they aren’t signing Tommy fricken Pham. He sucks, is going to be 38 and is a miserable human being. He was awful against left handed pitching last year. I assume you suggest signing him to platoon. But maybe look at his numbers before repeatedly suggesting  him. Him or anyone comparable to him sucks and is wasted money. All the fans that complained regularly about Justin Turner getting AB against left handed pitching, should lose their minds over the idea of signing Tommy Fricken Pham. At least Turner was a great person and teammate and actually hit lefties ok last year. 
I also highly doubt they trade Suzuki at the deadline. I believe they will be good again next year so he isn’t going to be traded. Besides that there is that NTC that you fail to acknowledge every time you suggest he will be traded. In the post above, I am referring to, you said you expect 90 wins. So why even discuss trading Seiya? 

Edited October 21, 2025 by Rcal10

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

I'd be pretty shocked by a lefty like Yaz.  A righty like Refsnyder, Austin Hays, Ramon Laureano, etc. makes a ton of sense.  These guys are ideally platoon bats but  can probably float you to at least the deadline if the kids fail and they need to play every day. 

But as much as I do agree there's a little bit of a vibe that the team doesn't believe in Caissie, I'd be shocked if they bring in a LHH outfielder/1B/DH type unless it's Tucker.  Even if Caissie's dealt you probably want platoon help for Mo.  Long's a reverse splits type and I suspect Alcantara's bat, even against lefties, is an upgrade over PCA but not one you'd consider DH caliber.

Any of those would be fine. But can any play 1st base? I do think Busch should get more AB against lefties next year, but still good to have someone for maybe a few tough lefties. Andujar makes a little sense as a bench bat too. He can play 3rd, first or the outfield as well as DH. 
Guess I missed that Cassie vibe. But if that is true he will probably be traded anyway. Maybe him + for a young pitcher. 

[Bertz]

6 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Any of those would be fine. But can any play 1st base? I do think Busch should get more AB against lefties next year, but still good to have someone for maybe a few tough lefties. Andujar makes a little sense as a bench bat too. He can play 3rd, first or the outfield as well as DH. 
Guess I missed that Cassie vibe. But if that is true he will probably be traded anyway. Maybe him + for a young pitcher. 

My guess would be that one of Alcantara/Long is on next year's bench, and the other is not in the org next year because of trade.

Put another way I expect the bench next year to be

Amaya / Alcantara / Veteran RHH 1B (Paul Goldschmidt type) / Veteran Infielder (Jon Berti type)

or

Amaya / Long / Veteran RHH OF (Rob Refsnyder type) / Veteran Infielder (Jon Berti type)

[chibears55]

26 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Come on chibear, they aren’t signing Tommy fricken Pham. He sucks, is going to be 38 and is a miserable human being. He was awful against left handed pitching last year. I assume you suggest signing him to platoon. But maybe look at his numbers before repeatedly suggesting  him. Him or anyone comparable to him sucks and is wasted money. All the fans that complained regularly about Justin Turner getting AB against left handed pitching, should lose their minds over the idea of signing Tommy Fricken Pham. At least Turner was a great person and teammate and actually hit lefties ok last year. 
I also highly doubt they trade Suzuki at the deadline. I believe they will be good again next year so he isn’t going to be traded. Besides that there is that NTC that you fail to acknowledge every time you suggest he will be traded. In the post above, I am referring to, you said you expect 90 wins. So why even discuss trading Seiya? 

I said I can see them winning 90 but I also in response to a poster that if theyre under 500 come July and the postseason looking bleak, then yea i could see them unloading guys or at least try to, on final year of contract at the deadline.

Maybe Suzuki won't, but weve seen guys waive their NTC at the deadline of their final year and agree to go play for a potential playoff team, especially if current team is looking to start playing younger players over them.

Again, as of now I hope and expect them to improve their roster a little this offseason, especially with the pitching, but you never know with them.

I dont want Pham, he was just an example of the type they could sign, they could also just go with Suzuki in RF until they feel Caissie is ready too.

Edited October 21, 2025 by chibears55

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

I said I can see them winning 90 but I also in response to a poster that if theyre under 500 come July and the postseason looking bleak, then yea i could see them unloading guys or at least try to, on final year of contract at the deadline.

Maybe Suzuki won't, but weve seen guys waive their NTC at the deadline of their final year and agree to go play for a potential playoff team, especially if current team is looking to start playing younger players over them.

Again, as of now I hope and expect them to improve their roster a little this offseason, especially with the pitching, but you never know with them.

I dont want Pham, he was just an example of the type they could sign, they could also just go with Suzuki in RF until they feel Caissie is ready too.

But the point is Pham is a terrible example. He is 38 and had a terrible year against left handed pitching. Him or anyone like him (a right handed bat that can’t hit lefties) would be a terrible signing. 

[Stratos]

7 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

 Basically this says it all. And, tbh, this goes for most organizations in all sports. 

Yes. But given the revenue-to-payroll ratio of the Cubs compared to most other teams, the Cubs seem more geared toward profit than other MLB teams.   Or maybe they're just going about it a different way, possibly because we have a unique fanbase and unique ballpark that gives the Cubs a higher floor in terms of attendance, rating, merch etc.  Other teams may need to spend more to put a good team on the field in order to attract desirable attendance, ratings etc.  I don't like my loyalty taken advantage of.

I think this is a terrible way to run a business.  It's probably good in the short-term but in the long-term the loyalty of fans will falter.  It's just soulless greed in a business where you're selling hope and good feelings as a service.  You can't run a baseball team like a shoe company because it's about people and social connections and other emotions, not just coldly consuming a product.  The goal is to make your customers feel good by winning, creating a positive ballpark atmosphere, connecting to players and tv announcers etc.  Turning historic Wrigley into an amusement park/casino like other teams do and slapping ads on the uniforms while putting half-effort into payroll doesn't make me feel good, it makes me sad and frustrated.

[Stratos]

7 hours ago, chibears55 said:

If they add to the pitching in offseason, I think they should push 90 wins again. 

As far as a sell off goes, I've said before that I think it depends on where theyre at in July and that they might look into moving guys on expiring contracts at the deadline if they're under 500 and a postseason return looks bleak.

I also said I expect Caissie to come up at some point during season after April and felt that they would probably add a guy like Pham or comparable that they can sign for 1 or 2 years and can hold down RF, or just go with Suzuki until Caissie is ready.

Unless they're under .500 at the end of July it's hard for me to see anyone being sold off between now and next offseason, plus the NTC's being an issue.  Nobody besides Nico is good enough to bring in a haul significantly bigger than a comp pick to be worth trading unless they're out of it.

I think it's pretty likely that Happ, Seiya, and Nico aren't on the team in 2027.  Nico might be the best bet to re-sign since he's harder to replace.  We'll miss Happ in spirit but in terms of age the timing is right to let him go after 2026.  In 2027 I could see Caissie in RF and maybe a new FA in LF.

It's not worth worrying about 2027 right now IMO, especially with the CBA/lockout being unknown factors.  Cubs need to focus on pitching.  1 good SP and rebuilding the pen.  We're in a good position with a lot of good SP on the market this winter.