https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/page/103/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/can-the-cubs-get-away-with-using-justin-turner-as-a-pinch-hitter-for-pete-crow-armstrong-r1515/The Cubs' restructuring of the bench this winter has largely focused on defense. Now, they have one genuine bench bat—but how will they use him? Matt Shaw will man third base during the 2025 campaign, with Jon Berti as the backup. Justin Turner is too old to play such an active defensive pos...1515Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:10:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/the-kyle-tucker-trade-is-the-only-thing-holding-up-an-otherwise-rough-cubs-offseason-r1514/December's trade ignited a Cubs fanbase that has been starving for relevance. At the time, it was thought to be the first big move in what could've been a big offseason for Jed Hoyer and the rest of the Cubs braintrust. So far, though, the big move after that big move hasn't materialized. Af...1514Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:05:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/the-cubs-outfield-defense-might-be-their-secret-source-of-major-improvement-r1516/The Cubs had too many boxes on their offseason checklist to make upgrading the outfield defense a major priority—but they found a way to do that, anyway. Late last week, MLB.com’s Mike Petriello published a piece in which he examined the most improved defenses among contenders (while also ex...1516Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:45:34 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/javier-assad-and-the-mighty-fip-beaters-r1509/The Cubs' run prevention has been strange and uneven over the last four years. But there might be signs of a corner being turned. While browsing through some stats the other day, I came across something I found interesting. Allow me to rattle off six teams, and I’ll let you decide what they...1509Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:04:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/whose-roster-spot-will-justin-turner-take%E2%80%94and-does-the-answer-depend-on-other-moves-r1513/The Chicago Cubs already had four or five guys for a four-man bench. Then they signed a free agent on a guaranteed deal. So: now what? By acclamation, the Cubs needed one more good bench piece to complete their roster, even before considering their lingering interest in a possible blockbuste...1513Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:18:45 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/how-justin-turner-fits-and-can-contribute-for-chicago-cubs-defensively-r1512/He'll be a welcome veteran presence—even by the young guys at each infield corner, because neither of them should feel threatened by the Cubs' newest bat. With the Chicago Cubs bringing in Justin Turner on a one-year deal Tuesday, there will be an immediate reaction from certain circles that...1512Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:43:22 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/breaking-cubs-to-sign-first-basemandh-justin-turner-to-one-year-deal-r1510/Checking the final absolutely necessary box on their to-do list, the Chicago Cubs snagged a beloved veteran and right-handed hitter to complement their starting, left-handed-hitting first baseman. The Chicago Cubs are finalizing an agreement to sign first baseman and DH Justin Turner, a sour...1510Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:49:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/if-you-missed-cubs-jed-hoyer-being-in-a-protracted-hot-stove-staredown-youre-in-luck-r1508/Try though he might, A.J. Preller isn’t making a convincing case that he intends to retain his ace starter. The question, now, is whether the Cubs have the balance of guts and patience to call his bluff. After signing Nick Pivetta and Kyle Hart last week, San Diego Padres president of baseba...1508Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:25:55 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/spring-training-questions-how-will-the-cubs-catcher-timeshare-play-out-r1507/When Yan Gomes's career unraveled in early 2024, it derailed the Cubs' catching situation for months. This time around, they're much better-positioned... right? After a winter dedicated to creating more clarity and upgrading depth throughout the roster, there isn’t a whole lot for the Chicag...1507Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:06:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/the-interesting-details-and-complex-implications-of-cubs-upcoming-shota-imanaga-decision-r1506/The ace of the 2024 Chicago Cubs comes back for 2025 at an affordable price—but the complicated contract he signed last winter finally gets interesting this fall. Remember, though it's nominally worth $53 million over four years, Shota Imanaga's deal has a huge wrinkle in it. Imanaga made $1...1506Mon, 17 Feb 2025 17:05:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/make-or-break-players-on-the-2025-cubs-matt-shaw-r1504/With a strong top half of the lineup set and a veteran pitching staff reinforced with better depth, the 2025 Cubs have undeniable upside—more than they've had in years. Much of that rising hope, however, rests on the high-stakes bet the team has semi-accidentally placed on their rookie third bas...1504Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:11:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/understanding-deferrals-right-totally-recasts-cubs-alex-bregman-debacle-r1505/It's important to dispel some misconceptions about contract deferrals. Once we do, the Cubs front office's failed pursuit of an elite free agent comes into focus, and it looks very different than it has been presented so far. Let's get one thing clear, right off the bat: Alex Bregman didn't...1505Mon, 17 Feb 2025 12:09:01 +0000