chibears55

Bob got a few bucks to post that for Zac .lol

The hope was to extend Tucker and then sign a TOR SP to give them that guy on both ends, but now it's almost like last offseason where the thinking is that they might just look to add one big name player again and hope he can get them back into the playoffs. Likely why Bregman name keeps popping up

With meeting starting Sunday, I took a look at current roster and what exactly are their needs or openings as of now. On paper, they really don't need much as they have capable players to fill in the holes if they choose to stay mostly in house, which is basically RF, 1 SP, bullpen, and bench. Starting Nine.... C Amaya 1B Busch 2B Hoerner SS Swanson 3B Shaw LF Happ CF PCA RF DH Suzuki They can go with Caissie in RF or Ballesteros as DH with Suzuki in RF if they feel either is ready to start OD. Bench... C. Kelly IF OF UT Kingery Could use a veteran LH bat, otherwise I can see them basically giving their AAA guys the opportunity here. Starting Pitchers... SP Imanaga SP Boyd SP Horton SP Taillon SP Rea Would love to see them get another top end SP and move Rea to the Pen, but i just have a feeling Hoyer is satisfied with having the top 4 guys here and eventually Steele. I think Hoyer will just add depth SP to compete with Rea and Assad for the 5th spot and keep them stashed in AAA and/or the pen til needed. Bullpen.... Rel Assad Rel Rel Rel Rel Rel Rel Maton Rel Palencia Would love to add a closer or veteran late inning guy to go with Palencia and Maton. Hodge Brown Little Roberts Wicks are going to be competing for spots, but hopefully Hoyer addresses and brings in better arms to fill in the openings here. I hope Hoyer makes some big moves this offseason, I think we might see one major addition and then nothing special to fill the rest of roster out. Tax Threshold is 244, Cubs projected to be around 195 after ARBS, if they hold around 15+ for inseason additions, that leaves them with approximately 30+ to spend.

Hoyer annual trash bin signing of the over 30 depth guys that gets cut in March..lol

I know it wont but that the kind of move they should be making

Hoyer needs to go hard after Edwin Diaz

Hoyer waiting on them 35+ yo that he can get them on 1-2 year deal for less than 2 mil. 😏😏😏

A couple things... When you pluck a bunch of guys out of the dumpster you might get lucky once in a while that one or two could end up with a decent season, but the risk factor to that is likely a slow start out of your bullpen the first couple of months until those guys start figuring it out as a unit. Jed may get lucky to find the cream of the slop every now and than but at some point you'd like for him to sign or trade for proven pitcher(s) too and nit just hope to catch lightning in a bottle with reclamation guys.

So a dumpster dive and hope it works out like usual....

28 mil for 2 yrs was too much for Hoyer 🙄🙄

If Cease got 7/210, im almost positive the other top FA starters will be looking for the same, and i have zero confidence that the Cubs will be making that kind of offer to any of them. I personally feel they're just going to add a couple depth type starters, but if they do add a top 3 type starter, it'll be via trade.

There a chance he might consider the Cubs still, with Both Imanaga and Suzuki with just 1 year left to play. He'll be the only Japanese player on roster after this season. Question is, if he's that adamant about being the only Japanese born player, would Hoyer want him knowing he'd have to agree to not try and add any players in the future while Imai with the team

Expect them to do what? I didn't give any expectation for 2026 offseason. I said TR and Hoyer could probably want a somewhat clear book going into that offseason to see what the new CBA brings over committing to long term deals this offseason.

We all know they can afford to go over the Threshold, but, we all know it very likely they wont do it, as TR has only done so 3 times since he bought the team 16 years ago. It not making excuses for them, it pretty much knowing how they run their franchise and refuse to spend over the Threshold, while also making sure they have what 20+ under the Threshold in case they need to add on during the season. I dont like it or accept it, but as a die hard Cubs fan since the 70s, it sadly has been the offseason expectations when it comes to Cubs owners spending on my favorite team.

I think Hoyer was hoping they both took the QO for the year because I don't think they're looking to go out and sign anyone for more than 2 years. Swanson is the only player with a guarenteed contract after 2026, and I can see TR and Jed wanting to wait and see what the new CBA brings before adding any sizeable multi year deals. It obviously would be great if they can go out and get another solid TOR SP, a big bat to replace Tucker's bat, and a couple solid pen arms but I just think 2026 is going to be more about trading away guys on final year of contract and getting guys like Caissie, Ballesteros, etc on the field more. Go into the 2026 offseason with pretty much a clean book so they can get a head start and plan their moves after the new CBA.

The rotation is basically set going into ST and obviously barring an offseason trade of any current starter now. Imanaga Horton Boyd and Taillon are the top 4 starters. Steele due back in May/June. Which leaves Rea, Assad and probably one or two guys they'll sign as depth to compete for the 5th spot until Steele returns. I dont see them really being in contention next season if they basically have the same lineup and rotation as 2025, and especially if they don't really replace Tucker bat and add a top 3 of rotation SP. I think they might hover close to 500 at the break, and Hoyer will do like he did in 2021 and look to move the guys on their final year of contract.

I can see them flipping him at the deadline, just like I can see them trading or trying to trade Happ, and Suzuki, and possibly Hoerner too. When Imanaga was out, I figured they'd look to add one big contract, and that being a top SP. I just dont see it now. 2026 rotation is set now with... Boyd, Taillon, Horton, Imanaga, and then they have Rea, Assad, and probably add a cheap depth SP or two to hold the 5th spot down until Steele returns. They'll be hoping Wiggins can be the 2026 version of Horton for them at some point later in season.

Whomever it is, he'll start the season in RF until Caissie comes up..lol

Get him too..lol

Sign Bregman and Tucker 😏😏

That another 9 mil off the salary

Yea, a small part of me has a feeling that we're going to see more of a tear down between now and the trade deadline then upgrades to prepare for 2027 shutdown.

Im shorta glad Shota elected to test FA, I like him but he he just seems like a guy they won't be able to count on much in the second half of a season because of fatigue. We're looking at now a payroll currently at Approx. 165 mil with projected ARBs added in, so that leaves them with approximately 70 to 80 mil to spend to reach the Threshold, and they still need to decide on Turner(10), Kittredge(9), and Rea(9) options. No reason not to go out and get a TOR arm, a solid bat, and a late inning reliever with the money they have to spend via trade or FA.

My offseason wish list is simple... I'd like them to add a TOR SP, a late inning reliever whether it a closer or setup guy doesn't matter, and a solid everyday bat.

Pete Alonso opted out Be a nice addition for DH and RH bat for 1B if they continue to sit Busch against lefties