Cubs Roundup, Oct 8: Arbitration Projections, Offseason Challenges, Snell's Transition

[North Side Baseball]

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis from around the internet. The roundup covers Cubs arbitration projections, offseason questions, Kade Snell's journey, Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic season, ABS challenge stats, and the potential Ian Happ reunion.

• Chicago Cubs Arbitration Projections and Tender Decisions (Just Baseball). Projects Cubs arbitration salaries and tender decisions for 2027, using historical comparisons and performance metrics; highlights Justin Steele ($6.775M, no raise), Edward Cabrera ($5.3M, $850K raise), Braxton Garrett ($1.55M, $20K raise), Javier Assad ($3.4M, $1.6M raise), Miguel Amaya ($1.15M), Gabriel Arias ($1.25M, non-tender candidate), Ryan Rolison ($950K), Ethan Roberts ($800K, non-tender candidate), Michael Busch ($4.
• 5 questions facing Cubs this offseason (MLB.com). Notes five key offseason questions for the Cubs, including rebuilding the rotation with free agents like Matthew Boyd and Clay Holmes, re-signing Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, fixing the bullpen, integrating Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramírez, and determining the catching tandem with Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya.
• Road less traveled takes Cubs' pitcher-turned-outfielder Kade Snell to Fall League (MLB.com). Notes the unconventional journey of Cubs prospect Kade Snell, who transitioned from pitcher to outfielder after being cut from Auburn, earning fifth-round draft status with a strong senior season, and later recovering from a wrist injury to play in the Arizona Fall League.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong is named Baseball America’s MLB Player of the Year (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Argues that Pete Crow-Armstrong's 2026 season, marked by 45 home runs, a .943 OPS, 157 wRC+, and 9.8 bWAR, was historic for the Cubs, tying Ron Santo's 1967 season for fourth-best in franchise history.
• A review of the first year of ABS challenges (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Notes the first season of ABS challenges, showing 1.5% of challengeable pitches were challenged, with 53.9% overturned, and highlights the Cubs' 338 challenges, with catchers Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya performing well, while pitchers had minimal impact, including Matthew Boyd's costly challenge against the Padres.
• Cubs could take first step toward Ian Happ reunion with looming qualifying offer decision (Cubbies Crib). Notes that the Cubs may use a $23.1 million qualifying offer to Ian Happ to facilitate a potential reunion, as his recent struggles and the team's need for a platoon partner make a short-term return appealing for both sides.