Nolo

Frankenstein Wiggins and Horton had me lmao 🤣 But here’s what seems to be a recent update (today) from Carter Hawkins on the off season and Ben Brown. Haven’t been through the entire video yet but wanted to share as he gives some more “detail” on Brown early on in the video. Edit: after watching the video, some takeaways: Brown got a screw in his neck. They have not met with Scott Boras (yet) but says he is sure that meeting will happen. Not sure who else he is representing besides Skubal. He talks about good deals in trades and free agents like he’s talking about black Friday shopping. Said the words “good deals” a lot. Quantity (depth) over quality vibes. Likes the Japanese market They need “several” starters. There are definitely players on the FA market that will help them win games. Clay Holmes is a good fit He called Shaw “Matty” — based on that alone I feel he is def not being traded. Matty and Pedro will likely see OF time, he was especially confident in Matty. Javier Assad will be coming into the year as a starter and will be counted on for valuable innings. Not sure if that’s rotation or depth, sure sounded like rotation. Expectation is Garrett comes into the year competing for a rotation spot. And if not the rotation then the bullpen. Has to earn his spot on the roster though.

Jesse Rogers reported it on X. See my edited comment above about expected recovery timeline.

For sure, but depending on the type of surgery (decompression, fusion, etc) he may not even pitch next year. Opening day is for sure out if he goes under the knife. Edit: just saw the comment from chibears about cervical spine surgery. Didn't realize he actually had the surgery yesterday. Assuming the report is correct, realistic math is: Throwing - early January Bullpens - February Live hitters - March Rehab stints - April/May Back on the MLB team - May/June Could be worse. Cubs need to plan as if he's not coming back though.

Neck surgery is now looking “likely”

Expected. Probably will bring his contract predictions back down to reality as I feel many of the projections have been made with “what if he starts”. He’s going to make a great Dodger or Yankee. Edit: MLBTR projects $16M AAV (5 years 80 millions) sounds about right actually.

There are 7 options you listed which would be fine/good options. Mostly middle or backend rotation guys. Still no true ace or even ace caliber, and sounds like they’re set on Shaw and Ramirez coming back which unless they’re going to give up a top prospect, a trade for an ace type pitcher is unlikely (not that Shaw/Ramirez could land an ace). They could still probably figure out a package for another #4 or #5 type… But if they can sign 3 of those pitchers you mentioned, a couple of solid bats, and maybe a veteran catcher… Cubs could make another wild card push if there is a season.

High upside, no downside signing. 24 year old who has spent 7 years in Cardinals farm system. Bad injury put him out. Good overall MiLB stats, seems to have a lively arm and high K rate. One to watch in the future I suppose. He got an MLB Spring Training Invite by Cubs. Couldn't find any footage of the kid pitching. Article: https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/11/09/chicago-cubs-sign-relief-prospect-bruno-lopez-to-a-two-year-minor-league-deal/ MiLB: https://www.milb.com/player/bruno-lopez-694058

I saw a report yesterday that the Marlins were interested in Morejon and Padres Skubal, but who knows. I'm not expecting much to happen until between 11/17 and 12/1 and even then I am not really sure what to expect. I don't see the Cubs filling in all of these holes in a less than two week period either. Also, don't think I saw this reported on here, maybe it was, but this Bruno Lopez kid looks interesting. Upper 90's, great K rate, and spring training invite (which who knows if that even happens next year). Prospect who battled injury. Would not expect much in the near future, but at least they got a flamethrower in the system. High upside no downside minor league signing. https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/11/09/chicago-cubs-sign-relief-prospect-bruno-lopez-to-a-two-year-minor-league-deal/

But hey, profit margins and net operating income are projected to be fantastic!

Holy sh!t. They're straight up giving up. My takeaways what the FO is thinking: No Suzuki or Arozarena. Too expensive for our taste. We're okay with Happ if no one else wants him. Hey Sato, how ya doing? That's great to hear, have a good one! Grisham in RF and Shaw/Ramirez in LF (two infielders) Brock Burke, you're our Adrian Morejon. Ayers, grab your cleats. You're going to the show. On a side note, the Athletic/Sharma need to chill out with the negative nancy takes.

Gray, Holmes, Taira, Peterson, Rogers may still be on the table (until Sharma shoots them down next). Going to have to target a starter in trade either way IMO. As of today Cabrera is the Cubs ace, and if Steele is good he is going to have to be limited in innings especially early on. The bullpen is going to be important in 2027. I still think Morejón needs a hard look. Just as we can’t expect too much out of Brown, Steele, Cabrera, and Horton starting in 2027, we also can’t necessarily count on guys like Brown, Maton, Miller, and Martin in the pen either as they were all injured and missed significant time. Then the OF… so much to do so little time.

Not an encouraging update on Ben Brown.

so you’re saying there’s a chance 😏

I was just going based on the Morejon comment in this article https://cubbiescrib.com/cubs-rumors-jed-hoyer-repeats-familiar-mistake-with-premature-tarik-skubal-free-agency-exit

I’m now predicting Holmes, Peterson, and Gray will be the FA signings for pitchers. They will probably make an offer to Morejon but will be outbid by a team that wants to win. Will be interesting to see how they approach the position player needs.

it was just sarcasm based on the comment I replied to. Although it wouldn't surprise me. That's basically what I feel like Jed is thinking the rotation can be. There's still 2-3 weeks left to make a splash. Sharma doesn't know all.

Yeah you're right the Grisham/Ward platoon is unrealistic.

Holmes, Peterson, Steele, Brown, and Cabrera. Written in sharpie now. Assad and Garrett, grab your cleats.

What is considered a ground ball pitcher these days? 45% or higher? Or are we talking Clay Holmes and Morejon caliber serving up 60% GB rate? Because I don't think any of the free agent pitchers, besides Morejon, are matching Holmes in that regard but guys like King, Skubal, Griffin all served up 45% GB rate in 2026. Peterson 50% GB. Hopefully Jed realizes the Cubs need an actual ace still nonetheless.

check the edit I made to that comment (savant hancock vs warren) Whats the TLDR; on that article it's behind a paywall. Sharma has been quite the buzzkill raining on the Morejon and Skubal parade over the past week.

Matt Shaw is a 2027 Seattle Mariner in my mind.

Would you rather (left field edition): Grisham/Ward platoon Alcantara/Conforto platoon Ward/Conforto platoon Shaw/Ramirez platoon Ian Happ

Yeah the Maton to A’s trade was a throwaway salary dump, I picked the first team I saw to trade with. You’re probably right on Maton. Can live without Burke. The Kwan trade was to try and get the best defensive OF (PCA, Kwan, Grisham, Alcantara) as the Cubs do seem to prioritize defense. I’d be happy with either scenario and keeps them below $245M. That 4th slot in rotation is up for grabs with Brown/Cabrera. Brown if healthy is the better option both starting and in the pen, but Cabrera has potential and stuff to be a bullpen option, I just don’t know with him anymore. Garrett and Assad for depth and cover inevitable injuries.

I don't hate it.

I hear you but I am not necessarily assuming they’re re-signing Suzuki in that trade scenario. Trading for Gilbert and his $15M salary isn’t a budget killer, going to be cheaper than the top tier starters in free agency, so instead of needing to sign 2–3 SPs in FA maybe we sign 1 big one and a guy like Peterson for $12M a year. I agree there must be give and take. Most of my scenarios I run through the roster payroll projection tool and try to stay around $250-260M payroll or less. I throw a lot of ideas out but I don’t expect them all to happen and am not suggesting they can all happen in one offseason. At the end of the day, if it came down to it I’d rather have a dominant/elite pitching staff and some combination of guys like Ward/Taylor/Conforto in a corner OF than a mid tier or even above average staff with Suzuki. I think there are certainly scenarios in the OF that can work out just fine for cheaper. The Cubs still have one of the best offenses in baseball with or without him and Happ, assuming they can still fill the gaps. Defensively, it’s a pretty big blow to lose them depending on who replaces them. I do love Suzuki and hope we can keep him, I saw five Cubs games last year and he homered in four of them, including the grand slam in Colorado which was as my daughter’s first MLB game. Great memories with him. Also, maybe a hot take but I think we should unload Phil Maton if he has any trade value to a team who needs bullpen arms. Even if it’s for prospects or if he’s packaged with someone else with some value. As we discussed Cubs have a decent amount of bullpen arms and that clears $6M for 2027. Not sure what we’d be able to get for him right now though.