Cubs Offseason Mega Thread

[ToolDRT]

2 hours ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Jed isn't the issue here, it's Ricketts forcing them to stay under the CBT

Jed has had more resources than anyone in our division. It’s very much both of them. 

[Stratos]

11 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Jed has had more resources than anyone in our division. It’s very much both of them. 

If Steele and Horton weren't hurt and the pitching staff in general didn't have the year from hell i think last years team is 95 wins and World Series- caliber 

[Post Count Padder]

First big signing of the offseason, Braves sign Evan Phillips to a three-year, $35MM contract.

[Jason Ross]

Remember when the Cubs were connected to him last year.

That's not a "small" commitment. Hard to really tell what it signals (the Braves aren't afraid of those contracts) or anything, but good to see the ball rolling.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

42 minutes ago, ToolDRT said:

Jed has had more resources than anyone in our division. It’s very much both of them. 

I'm not saying he's perfect, but he's not the reason they gave up on Skubal

[Post Count Padder]

22 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Remember when the Cubs were connected to him last year.

That's not a "small" commitment. Hard to really tell what it signals (the Braves aren't afraid of those contracts) or anything, but good to see the ball rolling.

Yeah that's a nice chunk of change and years for a reliever coming off TJS. Maybe the Braves targeted him and wanted to get their guy or the RP market will be insane.

[Nolo]

1 hour ago, Post Count Padder said:

First big signing of the offseason, Braves sign Evan Phillips to a three-year, $35MM contract.

$11.6M AAV. Setting the tone for the RP market. Tigers also signed Pagan at $11M for 1 year. 

My predictions for the other interesting relievers:

• Morejon - 4/72 (18M AAV)
• Bednar - 3/42 (14M AAV)
• Iglesias - 1/14
• Soto - 2/20 (10M AAV)
• Vesia - 2/17 (8.5M AAV)
• Burke - 1/7
• Romero - 1/6

Edited 15 hours ago by Nolo

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

20 minutes ago, Nolo said:

$11.6M AAV. Setting the tone for the RP market. Tigers also signed Pagan at $11M for 1 year. 

My predictions for the other interesting relievers:

• Morejon - 4/72 (18M AAV)
• Bednar - 3/42 (14M AAV)
• Iglesias - 1/14
• Soto - 2/20 (10M AAV)
• Vesia - 2/17 (8.5M AAV)
• Burke - 1/7
• Romero - 1/6

I don't think there's a lot of room in our bullpen, especially if we're carrying Assad and Garrett. I'd be interested in Loaisiga though, MLBTR has him at 2/13.

[Nolo]

4 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I don't think there's a lot of room in our bullpen, especially if we're carrying Assad and Garrett. I'd be interested in Loaisiga though, MLBTR has him at 2/13.

While I agree about seemingly not having room, Carter made a comment yesterday about bringing in more bullpen help. It’s in my comment from this morning with the interview video. But yeah, I am not expecting any reliever over $10M AAV. As much as we actually need someone like Morejon, I don’t see it happening and will not get my hopes up.

I do like Brock Burke and even moreso Jonathan Loaisiga bang for buck.  Forgot to list him.

Edited 15 hours ago by Nolo

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

2 minutes ago, Nolo said:

While I agree about seemingly not having room, Carter made a comment yesterday about bringing in more bullpen help.

Feels like somebody would have to be traded to make room. Palencia, Zef, Miller, Rolison, Webb were all mentioned by Hawkins as guys they are counting on next year.  I don't think he mentioned Maton, but he seems unmovable.

[Bertz]

You've got 6 guys in the pen that you can write in....well pen.

Palencia, Zef, Webb for late innings

Rolison, Miller, Maton for middle innings

They're almost certainly going to have at least 1 long reliever, presumably the lesser of Cabrera/Garrett.  I would guess they do a second long reliever, but that's not a guarantee, so that last spot is technically open.

I would also think there's a chance that, especially given how many guys ended last year on the IL, they bring like 14 or 15 dudes into ST seemingly ticketed for a big league roster spot and then assume a few will get eaten by the pitcher attrition monster.   Particularly given the quick ramp up post lockout.  And if they absolutely needed to they could option Rolison or Zef or Palencia

I also could see trying to do the Harvey/Miller thing again.  Sign an AJ Puk or a Brusdar Graderol or a Pete Fairbanks who you know is out until midseason.

So I'm very much doubting a Bednar/Morejon type but I think they can squeeze a veteran reliever or three onto this roster.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Does Assad still have an option year left? I was assuming both he and Garrett would have to make the team.

[Nolo]

11 minutes ago, Bertz said:

So I'm very much doubting a Bednar/Morejon type but I think they can squeeze a veteran reliever or three onto this roster.

Give me Loaisiga and I am satisfied with the pen. I assume *if* all goes well with Brown, he will be in the pen when he comes back.

Rumblings on X today say teams interested in Loaisiga are Yankees, Mets, and Jays. The usual suspects.

Edited 14 hours ago by Nolo

[Nolo]

1 minute ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

Does Assad still have an option year left? I was assuming both he and Garrett would have to make the team.

Javy yes, Garrett no.

[Rcal10]

Just now, Nolo said:

Give me Loaisiga and I am satisfied with the pen. I assume *if* all goes well with Brown, he will be in the pen when he comes back.

If all goes really well, couldn’t he start? 

[Nolo]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

If all goes really well, couldn’t he start? 

Would be ideal, not sure how they will handle him early in his return. 

[Rcal10]

12 minutes ago, Nolo said:

Would be ideal, not sure how they will handle him early in his return. 

Early I would imagine in the pen. But if whatever they did actually takes care of the problem there is no reason he should start again, later in the season and then from that point on. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

If Brown and Horton did actually come back healthy around the trade deadline, it would certainly create a good problem.

[Nolo]

Morejon looking at the Evan Phillips deal like 

Edited 14 hours ago by Nolo

[Bertz]

13 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

If Brown and Horton did actually come back healthy around the trade deadline, it would certainly create a good problem.

I think too it's easier to plan around this situation where Brown is reinforcements as opposed to a guy in the rotation who you're white knuckling your way through every start hoping he doesn't get hurt again.

[chibears55]

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

You've got 6 guys in the pen that you can write in....well pen.

Palencia, Zef, Webb for late innings

Rolison, Miller, Maton for middle innings

They're almost certainly going to have at least 1 long reliever, presumably the lesser of Cabrera/Garrett.  I would guess they do a second long reliever, but that's not a guarantee, so that last spot is technically open.

I would also think there's a chance that, especially given how many guys ended last year on the IL, they bring like 14 or 15 dudes into ST seemingly ticketed for a big league roster spot and then assume a few will get eaten by the pitcher attrition monster.   Particularly given the quick ramp up post lockout.  And if they absolutely needed to they could option Rolison or Zef or Palencia

I also could see trying to do the Harvey/Miller thing again.  Sign an AJ Puk or a Brusdar Graderol or a Pete Fairbanks who you know is out until midseason.

So I'm very much doubting a Bednar/Morejon type but I think they can squeeze a veteran reliever or three onto this roster.

That been my thinking for the offseason moves as far as pitching goes.

I think theyll look to add 2 SP to with Steele and Cabrera,  and the 5th starter will be between who they have as depth and possibly bring in to compete. With the thought of Wiggins and or Brown eventually taking over later in season. 

I also think they'll add at least 1 late inning reliever, doesn't necessarily need to be a closer but someone who will be high leveraged late in games.

 

Kaima Taira has been mentioned alot today for the Cubs and Whitesox,  not sure if the cubs are considering him as a starter or reliever but either way, they cannot allow themselves to be outbid by the Sox for him.

 

Edited 11 hours ago by chibears55

[Bertz]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7777321/2026/11/12/trevor-rogers-cubs-pitching/

Gimme gimme

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

He mentioned Gallen as well, who seems completely cooked. Unless he wants to take an invite to spring training

[Bertz]

Gallen is a decent buy low candidate.  If he's the 4th best guy we acquire I'd be pretty happy with him.  

[chibears55]

I see Jarren Duran is being shopped by the Redsox,  he fits Hoyer type as a low cost player with 2 yrs of control left.