Pitchers and catchers are reporting? It's the Spring Training Thread!

[Stratos]

28 minutes ago, mk49 said:

I don't know, but I think Gallen was looking for longer term, maybe 3~5 years.  My guess is nobody offered him over $18M AAV.  The Cubs might have offered him a 3 year, $18M AAV with opt out after the 2nd season.  Just my guess.

I should have just taken the QO, so people didn't need to waste time.

It's a small win for Gallen compared to the QO.  I read that 14m is deferred so that would help him on taxes i assume.

[Rcal10]

56 minutes ago, Stratos said:

It's a small win for Gallen compared to the QO.  I read that 14m is deferred so that would help him on taxes i assume.

Deferring the money instead of getting it all now is not a win for the player. Maybe the plus for Gallen is next year he isn’t attached to a QO. That is about it. 

[mk49]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Deferring the money instead of getting it all now is not a win for the player. Maybe the plus for Gallen is next year he isn’t attached to a QO. That is about it. 

Yeah, I guess, especially if Gallen can bounce back.  Like I said, the Dbacks were nice enough to offer him the same amount as the QO.  They could have offered a $20 or $21M deal, and more than likely, he took it..  Without the QO attached, he should have a better chance next year, if he bounces back at least a little.  If his regression continues, which happened for 2 years in a row, he would be screwed.   Just like Shota, Gallen has to prove this coming season.  I really hope both of them bounce back.  I love Shota, and I don't dislike Gallen.

Edited February 14 by mk49

[Geographyhater8888]

Does the Cubs pre season hype match 2018? I’m optimistic and more than last season with the rotation upgrades and potential to miss bats. Cubs are also unique in the sense that they don’t strike out often with such a high pull rate and a very ground ball rate. 

Edited February 14 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

Looks like this is the team. I don’t see any major league roster moves any longer. It would have been nice to get Gallen, but not for the one year. So this is the team. I think it is a roster that could/should be another 90 win team. Obviously, anything can happen, but on paper they look pretty solid. Probably the 2nd or 3rd best roster in the NL. And the best in the central. 

[Geographyhater8888]

13 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Looks like this is the team. I don’t see any major league roster moves any longer. It would have been nice to get Gallen, but not for the one year. So this is the team. I think it is a roster that could/should be another 90 win team. Obviously, anything can happen, but on paper they look pretty solid. Probably the 2nd or 3rd best roster in the NL. And the best in the central. 

Outside of injuries and Swanson, Bergman and Happs age which may or may not slow them down, the lineup for the first time in years has no real holes and an actual bench unlike 25. People think I’m a pessimist for my knee jerk reactions in the heat of the moment but I think this team is capable of winning the World Series. I didn’t have that sense last year.

Edited February 14 by Geographyhater8888

[Bertz]

Sounds like Collin Snider's already got his 2024 velo back, and the team has some specific ideas for keeping Harvey healthy.

[mk49]

I heard Shota threw a 93mph four seam today.  I guess that's a good sign this early in the spring training.  

Edited February 15 by mk49

[Rcal10]

On 2/13/2026 at 7:28 PM, Neuby said:

Giolito and Kopech or bust I guess. Kinda feels like last year when the roster looks a move short (Bregman) but fell short. 

No offense to you, but this seems like lazy narrative. Easy to suggest the team is a move short so that when the season ends and they don’t win the WS (which 29 teams can all say) we can look back and agree they were short. This off season was not like last off season. Cubs actually didn’t hold money up. They spent and put a very good team on the field. Maybe they could have added a lock down pen arm, but historically they don’t really do that. I don’t think the FO believes that is what they need to do. Last year they absolutely were short a move they should have made. They had the money and the need. This year they spent the money and really they don’t have an obvious need. There isn’t one move that’s going to make them better than the Dodgers. Most likely they fall short. As I said, 29 teams do just that. But, IMO, this off season was not really like last year. Based on what they were allowed to spend I think the  FO did a good job. And I am also happy ownership allowed an increase in spending. They are not exactly a high spending team, but at least they opened the wallet a bit more. They are just never going to be the Dodgers, Mets or Yankees in spending. 

[Geographyhater8888]

1 hour ago, Rcal10 said:

Easy to suggest the team is a move short so that when the season ends and they don’t win the WS (which 29 teams can all say) we can look back and agree they were short. 

I disagree. I don’t think anyone would blame the Cubs falling short of expectations on failing to sign a mediocre starter like Giolitto, who may or not be any better than Collin Rae. 

Edited February 15 by Geographyhater8888

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

I disagree. I don’t think anyone would blame the Cubs falling short of expectations on failing to sign a swing man like Giolitto, who may or not be any better than Collin Rae. 

But that is just it. No one will say what that move is. I responded to a post suggesting the Cubs are a move short, and it felt just like last year. That man short doesn’t have to be Giolito. I disagreed with that premise.
I think this off season they did a nice job and spend more. I think it is an easy out statement to suggest a team is a move short. Most likely the Cubs won’t win the WS. So later it could be repeated they were short a move, just like was suggested in February. Doesn’t mean the move is Giolitto. Pick a problem. Maybe a closer? Maybe a bat off the bench? Maybe a better line up? Whatever eventually doesn’t play to what is expected will be that move they should have made. That is why I say it is a lazy narrative waiting to be proven right. It is open ended and most likely will be correct. But that is because for 29 teams out of 30, that statement can eventually be said. 

Edited February 15 by Rcal10

[chibears55]

I didn't expect too much to change this offseason outside of replacing Tucker, a few bullpen arms and Bench.

Most of the roster was returning barring trades.

Bregman replaced Tucker, and Mo is replacing Shaw in the lineup. 

Austin Shaw McCormick replacing Turner Berti/Castro and Alcantara/Caissie. 

Cabrera replacing Rea/Assad in the rotation.

Bullpen is new outside of Palencia, Theilbar, and with Rea and Asaad being a bigger part of it. 

Hopefully the lineup can stay healthy, the bullpen can get off to a good start, and the rotation can be consistent and ends up becoming a strength once Steele returns and maybe Wiggins can join at some point in second half and give them a huge shot in arm like Horton did.

Cabrera Steele Horton and Wiggins can be something really special for them in September/October 

[Bertz]

A little weird they're DFAing an infielder rather than just throwing Justin Steele on the 60 day IL.  I wonder if Steele is being obstinate and doesn't want to commit to being out til Memorial Day.

[Rcal10]

2 hours ago, chibears55 said:

I didn't expect too much to change this offseason outside of replacing Tucker, a few bullpen arms and Bench.

Most of the roster was returning barring trades.

Bregman replaced Tucker, and Mo is replacing Shaw in the lineup. 

Austin Shaw McCormick replacing Turner Berti/Castro and Alcantara/Caissie. 

Cabrera replacing Rea/Assad in the rotation.

Bullpen is new outside of Palencia, Theilbar, and with Rea and Asaad being a bigger part of it. 

Hopefully the lineup can stay healthy, the bullpen can get off to a good start, and the rotation can be consistent and ends up becoming a strength once Steele returns and maybe Wiggins can join at some point in second half and give them a huge shot in arm like Horton did.

Cabrera Steele Horton and Wiggins can be something really special for them in September/October 

Adding Bregman and Cabrera while reshaping the entire pen is a very active off season. I don’t see how you can say you didn’t expect much to chance, the Cubs have this off season, and that somehow fits your narrative.. I believe they also spent much more than you were suggesting all off season. So I have to ask you, did this off season surprise you and was it not what you suggested? 

[Radar3454]

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

A little weird they're DFAing an infielder rather than just throwing Justin Steele on the 60 day IL.  I wonder if Steele is being obstinate and doesn't want to commit to being out til Memorial Day.

Why jump to Steele being obstinate? Maybe he is ahead of schedule or the Cubs think Cowles has a better chance of getting through waivers now.

[Rcal10]

3 hours ago, Radar3454 said:

Why jump to Steele being obstinate? Maybe he is ahead of schedule or the Cubs think Cowles has a better chance of getting through waivers now.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe Steele is ahead of schedule and can come back mid May. I don’t see DFA on Cowles as a big deal. Even if they lose him, not a big deal. 

Edited February 16 by Rcal10

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Adding Bregman and Cabrera while reshaping the entire pen is a very active off season. I don’t see how you can say you didn’t expect much to chance, the Cubs have this off season, and that somehow fits your narrative.. I believe they also spent much more than you were suggesting all off season. So I have to ask you, did this off season surprise you and was it not what you suggested? 

They did spend more, I figured 220 but they got to 240s, and Bregman 30 over Tucker 16.5 and Imanaga getting 22 over 16 was a big reason for the increase.

Yes the bullpen is pretty much new with the 4 new additions and they have 2 new bench guys.

Of the regulars and SP, theres only 2 new additions to the team and that Bregman and Cabrera, so no IMO that much of a change to the core group of regulars.

The surprise was the spending on Bregman. I did not expect that, I thought money was going to be spent more on SP and was hoping for 2 new SP, but after Imanaga returned, I expected one and they got Cabrera.

So they did add money wise 26.5 in SP with Imanaga return and Cabrera trade.

But to fully answer your question, outside of Bregman signing, there wasn't any real big surprise additions added to the roster, so yea the payroll a surprise too but mainly because of Bregman money and Imanaga raise, but the other additions to the roster was basically what I expected from them.

Low cost guys for the bench and pen, and another SP added.

Now dont get me wrong, I do like their full roster and not upset over it, I expect 90 wins again if everyone can stay healthy.

Im mostly intrigued by what the SP can look like in the second half with Steele Cabrera Horton Imanaga and Maybe Wiggins added in there.

Bats avoid prolonged slumps and bullpen stays consistent on the good side, this could be a solid team all year and going into the postseason 

 

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Radar3454 said:

Why jump to Steele being obstinate? Maybe he is ahead of schedule or the Cubs think Cowles has a better chance of getting through waivers now.

Steele has been reported to being way ahead of schedule, not sure if that means a possible return in May over what was previous determined June, but if the team playing well and the starters are all pitching decent, theres no need to to activate him sooner rather than later.

A fully healthy and rested Steele would do them more good in the final 100 games and postseason then having him starting a couple games in may.

[Tryptamine]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/rays-garrett-cleavinger-drawing-trade-interest.html

What would be the cost here? Having a 6/7/8/9 of some combination of Palencia/Cleavinger/Harvey/Maton is a legitimately really good group. Could you get him for like Hartshorn and a lesser lottery ticket?

[Stratos]

7 hours ago, Radar3454 said:

Why jump to Steele being obstinate? Maybe he is ahead of schedule or the Cubs think Cowles has a better chance of getting through waivers now.

Cowles was terrible last year as a 25 year old in AAA.  His value is low right now, not worth worrying about a 40-man slot for.  If he stays in the org that's cool but can be replaced.

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/02/rays-garrett-cleavinger-drawing-trade-interest.html

What would be the cost here? Having a 6/7/8/9 of some combination of Palencia/Cleavinger/Harvey/Maton is a legitimately really good group. Could you get him for like Hartshorn and a lesser lottery ticket?

Neely?

[Radar3454]

Next weekend at the earliest for Ballesteros to be at camp per Counsell. Hope he is getting work in the meantime and isn't 2 far behind. Is he playing in the WBC?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

1 hour ago, Radar3454 said:

Is he playing in the WBC?

I don't think so, Venezuela should be pretty stacked.

[Jason Ross]

4 hours ago, Radar3454 said:

Next weekend at the earliest for Ballesteros to be at camp per Counsell. Hope he is getting work in the meantime and isn't 2 far behind. Is he playing in the WBC?

Ballesteros is not on a WBC roster. 

[CubinNY]

 I wonder what the holdup is. I imagine since they fired everyone, it's probably a delay in processing the request.