Cubs Roundup, Oct 29: Award Contention, Useche's AFL, Free Agent Moves

[North Side Baseball]

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis from around the internet. The pieces cover Pete Crow-Armstrong's MVP candidacy, Miguel Useche's AFL performance, free agency decisions, Jed Hoyer's season grade, the Brewers' rising threat, and Colin Rea's role with the team.

• Which Cubs can take home hardware? (MLB.com). Argues that Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic 2024 season, including 45 homers, 41 steals, and a 10.6 WAR, makes him a strong MVP candidate, while other Cubs players like Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Ian Happ are contending for Gold Gloves, All-MLB Team, and other honors.
• Cubs' catching prospect makes most of opportunity once again, this time in the AFL (MLB.com). Notes how Miguel Useche, a Cubs catching prospect, overcame challenges in independent ball and the minor leagues to excel in 2026 with a .281/.372/.468 line, 13 homers, and a 122 wRC+ in 89 games, showcasing his resilience and adaptability.
• Cubs Free Agents: Who Stays and Who Goes? (Just Baseball). Notes the Cubs' decisions on impending free agents, highlighting Seiya Suzuki's value with 4.5 fWAR and defensive improvements, Clay Holmes' potential return due to his groundball rate, and Ian Happ's controversial status due to struggles against left-handed pitching.
• Giving Jed Hoyer an end-of-season grade as Cubs look ahead to a chaotic winter (Cubbies Crib). Argues that Jed Hoyer's 2026 season was a mixed bag, noting the Cubs' 89-win campaign, injuries decimating the pitching staff, and underwhelming performances from key additions like Edward Cabrera, Clay Holmes, and Kevin Gausman, despite aggressive moves during the trade deadline.
• Cubs could lose their one NL Central advantage thanks to Brewers' World Series run (Cubbies Crib). Notes that the Cubs' financial advantage over NL Central rivals may shrink as the Brewers close the payroll gap, citing $250M for the Cubs vs. $146M for Milwaukee in 2026, and the Brewers' recent success under Matt Arnold and strong farm system.
• A few thoughts about the Cubs and Colin Rea (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Notes that Colin Rea is a versatile but inconsistent pitcher who served as a sixth starter and long reliever for the Cubs, citing his 2025 contract, recent limited usage, and comparison to Terry Mulholland.