Cubs Roundup, Nov 12: Bullpen Strategy, Skubal Pursuit, Trade Candidates

[North Side Baseball]

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis and history from around the internet. The roundup covers the Cubs' pitching overhaul and trade strategies amid a potential lockout, highlights Pete Crow-Armstrong as the MVP favorite, and recalls Hank Wyse’s 1945 season.

• Here's how Cubs are handling the bullpen this offseason (MLB.com). Notes that after spending over $30 million on a failed 2026 bullpen, the Cubs are shifting focus to the rotation.
• Every Cubs player to be voted NL MVP (MLB.com). Recalls eight Cubs NL MVP winners from Gabby Hartnett (1935) to Kris Bryant (2016), detailing key stats like Banks' back-to-back titles and Dawson's 1987 49-homer season. Notes Pete Crow-Armstrong, fresh off a 40-40 season, as the favorite to end the franchise's decade-long drought.
• Tarik Skubal would liven arms race with Brewers, but Cubs have plenty of pitching needs beyond staff ace (Chicago Sun-Times). Argues that while Tarik Skubal would boost the Cubs' arms race against the Brewers, the team's broader pitching needs make him likely unaffordable. Notes that all five starters are free agents, the bullpen requires a makeover, and Hoyer prioritizes ground-ball and strikeout types to complement elite defense.
• Might looming lockout spark early flurry of offseason activity as Cubs head to GM meetings in Las Vegas? (Chicago Sun-Times). Argues a looming lockout may accelerate Cubs offseason activity at Las Vegas GM meetings. President Jed Hoyer prioritizes rebuilding the pitching staff, as all five rotation starters are free agents, and notes potential departures for corner outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, while acknowledging the team's recent win-now trades failed to secure a championship.
• The Top 100 Cubs of all time, No. 96: Hank Wyse (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Recalls Hank Wyse's 1945 Cubs season, highlighting his 22-10 record, 2.68 ERA, and near-no-hitter. Notes that manager Charlie Grimm's decision to start Hank Borowy instead of Wyse in Game 7 cost the team the World Series, a claim Wyse maintained until his death in 2000.
• Constructing a creative path for Cubs to navigate uncertain offseason via impact trades (Cubbies Crib). Argues the Cubs must creatively trade players like Matt Shaw, Miguel Amaya, and Edward Cabrera to fund a new rotation and outfielders, as Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ depart. With $100 million off the books but a depleted farm system, the team likely trades cost-controlled assets before the December 2 lockout.