Jump to content
The MLB Draft starts on Saturday at 1pm Eastern. Check out our mock draft board in the lead-up to the picks! ×
North Side Baseball

chibears55

Old-Timey Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    8,455

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    8

 Content Type 

Profiles

Joomla Posts 1

Chicago Cubs Videos

Chicago Cubs Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

2026 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects Ranking

News

2023 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

Guides & Resources

2024 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

The Chicago Cubs Players Project

2025 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

2026 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

Blogs

Events

Forums

Store

Gallery

Everything posted by chibears55

  1. chibears55
    28 mil for 2 yrs was too much for Hoyer 🙄🙄
  2. chibears55
    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.
  3. chibears55
    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
  4. chibears55
    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.
  5. chibears55
    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.
  6. chibears55
    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.
  7. chibears55
    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.
  8. chibears55
    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.
  9. chibears55
    Whomever it is, he'll start the season in RF until Caissie comes up..lol
  10. chibears55
    Get him too..lol
  11. chibears55
    Sign Bregman and Tucker 😏😏
  12. chibears55
    That another 9 mil off the salary
  13. chibears55
    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.
  14. chibears55
    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.
  15. chibears55
    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.
  16. chibears55
    Pete Alonso opted out Be a nice addition for DH and RH bat for 1B if they continue to sit Busch against lefties
  17. chibears55
    I said I can see them winning 90 but I also in response to a poster that if theyre under 500 come July and the postseason looking bleak, then yea i could see them unloading guys or at least try to, on final year of contract at the deadline. Maybe Suzuki won't, but weve seen guys waive their NTC at the deadline of their final year and agree to go play for a potential playoff team, especially if current team is looking to start playing younger players over them. Again, as of now I hope and expect them to improve their roster a little this offseason, especially with the pitching, but you never know with them. I dont want Pham, he was just an example of the type they could sign, they could also just go with Suzuki in RF until they feel Caissie is ready too.
  18. chibears55
    Right, yes they could go out and bring in veterans to play RF and or DH, but Hoyer does have the option to just go ahead and let Caissie be the RFer and or let Ballesteros be the DH either on opening day or at some point during the season. I believe Alcantara will ikely be a bench guy/ OF Depth in 2026 or used in a trade for pitching With most of the position players already in place and prospects like Caissie and Ballesteros, Hoyer can put most of his focus this offseason on pitching.
  19. chibears55
    If they add to the pitching in offseason, I think they should push 90 wins again. As far as a sell off goes, I've said before that I think it depends on where theyre at in July and that they might look into moving guys on expiring contracts at the deadline if they're under 500 and a postseason return looks bleak. I also said I expect Caissie to come up at some point during season after April and felt that they would probably add a guy like Pham or comparable that they can sign for 1 or 2 years and can hold down RF, or just go with Suzuki until Caissie is ready.
  20. chibears55
    Says ARB on here, baseball reference 🤷‍♂️
  21. chibears55
    As far as Suzuki goes, I just have a feeling that after 2026, Cubs, if they don't trade him at deadline, they will let him go over offering him ARB for 2027 and at age 32, he may want to go back and finish playing in Japan for a couple seasons. As of now, as far as position players goes, theyll have team control of for 2027. Amaya, Ballesteros, Busch, Shaw, PCA Swanson 28 mil and Kelly 1.5 mil are the only position players under contract for 2027, along with Boyd 2 mil as the only other player under contract. So as of now, theyll need 2B, LF, and RF for 2027 They can potentially spend more on ARB players, projected now at 139 mil, than contracted players for 2027.. I think it very possible as of now, that they extend Hoerner, hope Caissie an answer for an OF spot, and look to add from outside for the other OF spot. 2026 if they don't make changes this offseason, will be Shaw make or break year for 3B and also for finding out if Ballesteros and Caissie are future pieces or at least be given the opportunity to play everyday in 2027.
  22. chibears55
    Why I would love to see them go hard after pitching this offseason, not just add for 2026 but going forward too. They get a capable bat to replace Tucker ( if he doesn't return), to either DH or play RF , the offense can be respectable enough to win games with solid pitching in rotation and bullpen. Then 2026 offseason after they figure out the CBA, they can just focus on replacing Happ, Suzuki, maybe Hoerner, etc. Maybe we'll have a better idea about a couple of their top 10 prospects by then.
  23. chibears55
    Didn't say he's had a down year, I said his numbers were down from previous two years eventhough he had a career high in HRs. Avg. 285 283 245 OBP 357 366 326 SLg 485 482 478 OPS 842 848 804 Career high HR 32, previously 21 Basically in response to poster about his Slg but more specifically his power, was just saying that I'd be surprise if he hit 30 HRs again, and after next season they should be able to fill his void.
  24. chibears55
    Suzuki had a career year for HR but his Slg and OPS was down from previous two years, I'd be surprise if he reaches 30 HRs again. They'll need to find a RH power bat in the OF after 2026 to go with PCA and probably Caissie.
  25. chibears55
    Funny how the 2026 offseason needs is going to be the same as 2025 was. A big bat, SP, and a closer. I'd be a little surprise if they trade any of the returning bats, so that leaves RF or DH to add another bat for the regular lineup. I do hope Hoyer puts a lot of focus on pitching this offseason and basically builds around Horton for the now and future. Be awesome if they can add Cease, Ryan, or someone in their category. I think having your top 3 starters being a big addition like I mentioned, to go with Horton and eventually a healthy Steele, will go a long way next season. Im probably in the minority with this but I would be good if Imanaga declines his option and moves on if it meant his money could be put towards a more quality SP in his place. They have depth if he goes, with Taillon, Boyd, Assad, Brown,etc., and eventually Wiggins later in season.
×
×
  • Create New...