North Side Baseball

With no games this week, the Cubs fan forums remained active as members discussed the team's future. This week's Forum Friday highlights four threads: the Cubs' post-season performance and offseason plans, non-Cub playoff chatter, the 2026 Cubs' offensive struggles, and the 2026 AFL season's standout players. Are you exhausted by algorithmic internet "discussion"? Tired of seeing posts that are meant only to anger you, bait you into a response, or find yet another way to extract your personal data? Come join the conversation on the human-moderated North Side Baseball forums, where you can talk Cubs baseball without the constant barrage of misinformation, hot takes and loudmouths. Joining is free: create an account at diamondcentric.net, then use that same login here to comment. Cubs Pre-Offseason Mega Thread Cubs fans debated the team's post-season performance and future direction, focusing on the challenges of competing with the Brewers, the need for farm system reinforcements, and the value of current players like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Dansby Swanson. Commenters questioned the feasibility of achieving 97+ wins, discussed potential trades and free agent moves, and debated whether the Brewers' success was sustainable. There was disagreement on whether the Cubs should prioritize defense or strikeouts, with some arguing for a reset and others defending the current strategy. Non-Cub Playoff Megathread Chit-Chat Commenters discussed various non-Cub playoff games, expressing mixed feelings about teams like the Braves, Brewers, and Padres. They noted the Braves' 3-run home run in the 8th and criticized Atlanta's empty seats. Some expressed hope for the Dodgers and Rays in the NLCS, while others debated the Padres-Dodgers matchup. There was discussion about the Yankees' pitching and the possibility of MLB reseeding the playoffs. Members were split on whether a missed home run by the Padres would have changed the game's outcome. The 2026 Cubs Were Always a Two- (or Three-)Man Show at the Plate This thread discusses the 2026 Cubs' playoff collapse, focusing on their offensive struggles despite strong regular-season stats. Members debated the roles of key players like Seiya, Suzuki, and Happ, with some arguing that the team's reliance on a few stars left them vulnerable. Commenters split on whether the Cubs should re-sign Suzuki or let Happ go, with some emphasizing defensive value and others prioritizing offense. Most agreed the team needs offensive upgrades but faced challenges in free agency. AFL 2026 Discusses the 2026 AFL season, focusing on players like Dominick Reid, Kade Snell, and John Cabral. Commenters note Reid's expected 5 ERA, Snell's .900+ OPS, and Cabral's 101.3 mph fastball. There's interest in Cabral's high walk rate and Rujano's 95.8 mph average. Most agree the AFL is hitter-friendly, with varying player experience, and highlight Cabral's potential based on his velocity. It's another great day to be a Cubs fan at North Side Baseball! View full article

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis from around the internet. The roundup covers Cubs arbitration projections, offseason questions, Kade Snell's journey, Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic season, ABS challenge stats, and the potential Ian Happ reunion. Chicago Cubs Arbitration Projections and Tender Decisions (Just Baseball). Projects Cubs arbitration salaries and tender decisions for 2027, using historical comparisons and performance metrics; highlights Justin Steele ($6.775M, no raise), Edward Cabrera ($5.3M, $850K raise), Braxton Garrett ($1.55M, $20K raise), Javier Assad ($3.4M, $1.6M raise), Miguel Amaya ($1.15M), Gabriel Arias ($1.25M, non-tender candidate), Ryan Rolison ($950K), Ethan Roberts ($800K, non-tender candidate), Michael Busch ($4. 5 questions facing Cubs this offseason (MLB.com). Notes five key offseason questions for the Cubs, including rebuilding the rotation with free agents like Matthew Boyd and Clay Holmes, re-signing Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, fixing the bullpen, integrating Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramírez, and determining the catching tandem with Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya. Road less traveled takes Cubs' pitcher-turned-outfielder Kade Snell to Fall League (MLB.com). Notes the unconventional journey of Cubs prospect Kade Snell, who transitioned from pitcher to outfielder after being cut from Auburn, earning fifth-round draft status with a strong senior season, and later recovering from a wrist injury to play in the Arizona Fall League. Pete Crow-Armstrong is named Baseball America’s MLB Player of the Year (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Argues that Pete Crow-Armstrong's 2026 season, marked by 45 home runs, a .943 OPS, 157 wRC+, and 9.8 bWAR, was historic for the Cubs, tying Ron Santo's 1967 season for fourth-best in franchise history. A review of the first year of ABS challenges (Bleed Cubbie Blue). Notes the first season of ABS challenges, showing 1.5% of challengeable pitches were challenged, with 53.9% overturned, and highlights the Cubs' 338 challenges, with catchers Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya performing well, while pitchers had minimal impact, including Matthew Boyd's costly challenge against the Padres. Cubs could take first step toward Ian Happ reunion with looming qualifying offer decision (Cubbies Crib). Notes that the Cubs may use a $23.1 million qualifying offer to Ian Happ to facilitate a potential reunion, as his recent struggles and the team's need for a platoon partner make a short-term return appealing for both sides.

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis from around the internet. The roundup covers Ian Happ's potential departure, Jed Hoyer's reflections on the postseason exit, bullpen struggles, offseason challenges, and the team's focus on improving pitching ahead of 2027. 'He is the Chicago Cubs': Happ reflects on career after what may have been last game with team (MLB.com). Notes Ian Happ's potential departure from the Cubs after 10 seasons, highlighting his emotional farewell, leadership, and legacy, including 1,295 games, four Gold Gloves, and 197 career home runs as a switch-hitter. 'We let an opportunity slip away': Hoyer, Cubs evaluating future after postseason exit (MLB.com). Notes that Cubs president Jed Hoyer expressed disappointment after the team's postseason exit, citing missed opportunities in the NL Central, Wild Card standings, and home-field advantage, and emphasizes the need to improve the pitching infrastructure and address bullpen issues. 3 Chicago Cubs takeaways from Jed Hoyer’s end-of-season news conference, including his ‘poor job’ building pen (Chicago Tribune $$$). Notes three key takeaways from Jed Hoyer’s end-of-season news conference, including his admission of a "poor job" building the bullpen in 2026, citing Hunter Harvey and Phil Maton’s struggles (6.25 ERA, -0. Four offseason questions facing Jed Hoyer, Cubs, who have pitching at top of lengthy to-do list (Chicago Sun-Times). Notes four offseason challenges for the Cubs, including replacing a rotation with pitchers like Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, and Kevin Gausman, potentially overhauling the bullpen, addressing the futures of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, and evaluating internal solutions like Cade Horton, Ben Brown, and Justin Steele. After 2026 letdown, Cubs picking up pieces as sights turn to 2027: ‘It feels like we let something slip away’ (Chicago Sun-Times). Notes that the Cubs' 2026 season ended in disappointment despite strong regular-season performance, with team president Jed Hoyer blaming poor September play and a weak pitching staff, and emphasizing a focus on improving pitching in the offseason. Where do the Chicago Cubs go after falling short in the playoffs again? ‘We let it slip away.’ (Chicago Tribune $$$). Notes the Chicago Cubs' frustration after a playoff exit, citing their poor September performance, a weak pitching staff, and a 0-4 series loss to the Padres, with key figures including third-best run differential (+147) and 6.1 fWAR for the team's pitching.

Here is some of the latest Cubs analysis from around the internet. The roundup covers the Cubs vs. Padres Wild Card Series preview, a position-by-position breakdown, and highlights Justin Crow-Armstrong's historic defensive and offensive performance. The best defender in baseball? (Almost) the best offensive player? It's the same guy (MLB.com). Argues that Cubs' Justin Crow-Armstrong had the best defensive season in baseball (24 defensive runs) and was second in offensive value (+58 runs), making him the first player in history to be top-three in both offense and defense in the same season.