https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/page/92/?d=7enhttps://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cody-bellinger-and-seiya-suzuki-are-major-weapons-for-cubs-but-only-if-deployed-properly-r1207/Come with me on a reluctant journey to September 27th, 2023, where we find our Chicago Cubs, led by former skipper David Ross, chasing a surprise postseason berth. With the Cubs leading the Atlanta Braves 6-5 in the home half of a two-out eighth inning from Truist Park, Braves catcher Sean Murph...1207Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:14:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cubs-week-in-review-bellinger-stays-a-cub-coaching-changes-and-more-in-colossal-week-r1206/As the 2024 MLB season drew to an official close this past week, the hot stove speculation began for all 30 major league teams. As it turns out, the stove got white-hot in the blink of an eye. One of the biggest Cubs' offseason questions is answered as left-handed slugger Cody Bellinger opted in...1206Sun, 03 Nov 2024 21:13:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/the-cubs-wont-sign-juan-soto-so-they-should-pursue-a-kyle-tucker-trade-instead-r1202/As Juan Soto continued to do Juan Soto things for the New York Yankees throughout October, I continued to be sad about the reality: he will not be a Chicago Cub this offseason. There’s been very little linking the two parties, and given recent precedent, I have no reason to believe that the Cubs...1202Sun, 03 Nov 2024 14:12:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cody-bellinger-will-be-a-chicago-cub-in-2025-what-does-it-mean-for-the-rest-of-the-offseason-r1205/This time last year, Cody Bellinger was coming off his best season in years, as he won the 2023 National League Comeback Player of the Year award for his work anchoring the Cubs lineup. His 139 OPS+ was his best since the 2019 campaign when he won NL MVP (167 OPS+), and it was clear that Chicago...1205Sun, 03 Nov 2024 12:55:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cody-bellinger-opts-in-to-contract-will-remain-a-chicago-cub-in-2025-r1197/First of all, the impact on the Cubs and their budget. Tom Ricketts has stated the Cubs will live around the luxury tax. With the Cubs apparently accidentally going over the tax last season, likely, they will not want to exceed the tax this season unless they are in contention. Without arbitrati...1197Sat, 02 Nov 2024 16:50:00 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/breaking-down-the-mlb-trade-rumors-candidates-how-they-fit-on-the-chicago-cubs-r1203/We have merely the smallest sense of who could actually be moved. And we certainly don’t know the cost to acquire them. So, I steer clear of them entirely to maintain my brand as the rare quiet, introverted, Smart Baseball Person.  I don’t mind so much when other people do it, though. Espec...1203Sat, 02 Nov 2024 11:54:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/despite-an-unhappy-ending-it-sure-was-good-to-see-anthony-rizzo-in-the-world-series-again-r1200/In the climactic World Series that concluded Wednesday night, there was one player Cubs fans watched more closely than any others: Anthony Rizzo. As not only an integral player for the 2016 World Series-winning Cubs (with 5 RBIs in 7 games and so many big moments during the team's postseason run...1200Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:10:02 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cubs-hire-away-brewers-first-base-coach-quintin-berry-to-serve-as-third-base-coach-for-craig-counsell-r1199/All season, the 2024 Milwaukee Brewers' identity lied in their superb defense and baserunning. They did other things well, and will do other things well in 2025, but terrific defense (including great positioning) and aggressiveness from fast players on the bases were key to everything the team d...1199Thu, 31 Oct 2024 19:24:32 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/nl-central-offseason-preview-whos-buying-whos-selling-r1195/The Cubs find themselves in an interesting position this offseason. They should be obvious buyers, after finishing 83-79 for a second consecutive season. Meanwhile, the other four teams in their division are facing payroll questions, broadcasting/television concerns, and/or stagnating cores. The...1195Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:05:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/north-side-baseballs-2024-minor-league-all-star-team-part-two-pitchers-r1193/The Chicago Cubs missed the playoffs in 2024, though their pitching staff (especially the rotation) held their own as the team repeated their 83-79 performance from 2023. Luckily, the team comes equipped with a strong farm system that is set to further augment that strength. During the 2024 mino...1193Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:08:01 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/cubs-buyers-or-sellers-ian-happ-phillies-trade-rumors/We’re dangerously close to the end of the 2024 Major League Baseball season. There’s a certain disappointment that comes with that. But for the fans of the 29 teams that won’t be crowned World Series champion, there’s also a level of anticipation that comes with that. It’s interesting to think a...1196Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:10:38 +0000https://northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/chicago-cubs/chicago-cubs-free-agent-relief-targets-3-high-upside-right-handed-options-r1194/In a post earlier this month, I laid out the case that the two most valuable skills a relief pitcher can have are the ability to throw strikes and the ability to miss bats within the zone. We consulted this scatter plot of pitchers to find candidates for the 2025 Cubs bullpen, but embraced the i...1194Tue, 29 Oct 2024 23:04:02 +0000