I agree, but the fact that the Bregman thing just won’t die is interesting…and we’re not just seeing this from Jon Heyman. I still don’t think he’ll be a Cub, but the fact that it keeps coming up is worth following.
*******Official Cubs 2025 Thread*******
- Thread starter hawkifann
- Start date
I trust Jesse Togers on this one more than a national guy. Jesse said earlier in the week the only piece they’re looking at adding in free agency is a bullpen guy.
I trend that way, too. I think it's clear they want to add another BP arm, but are hoping to be opportunistic on Bregman. I also think the SP rumors are being opportunistic, just waiting and hoping for someone to become available. At this point I'm less desirous of a SP. We have a very good rotation, and some depth if needed.
Agreed. I just don't see the Bregman fit with giving up the picks and IFA money for a short term deal and being over the luxury tax again (unless they have a Nico trade lined up). Same with SP...I'd certainly take either Padres starter for Wicks/Assad plus Canario, but if it's Brown plus Cassie/Alcantara I'm out.
I think this is a much better team than last year and the best in the division as is. Obviously another bullpen arm would be great if they can get a good one on a reasonable deal, which has always seemed most likely from here.
Agreed on the IFA money and picks. I admit to fixating on assets, but draft picks and IFA lottery money are integral to an organization. I don't mind dealing assets, but for a rental a 2 and a 5, and up to $1 million in IFA money is a big deal.
As much as I’m sure the plan is to reset the CBT this year, just a reminder that the CBT penalties are just purely cash unless you go $20M+ over the 3rd tier…..so there would be no penalty to the Cubs at all outside of a tax bill to Tom Ricketts, so that’s simply a monetary choice. Nothing else would push them to reset. In the previous CBA, being over the CBT for 3+ straight years dropped draft picks 10 slots. Now that’s only for going way, way over the CBT.
Thanks @hawkifann I had forgotten they changed the rules for going over, so much less a big deal. Still think the picks and IFA $ make a short term opt out style deal unlikely, but maybe a little more likely than when I thought the rules still penalized you for 3+ years of slightly over.
I agree completely on those other points, just wanted to call out the CBA change. I hope the players win some land back in the next CBA over QOs. It’s so anti-player right now.
EDIT TO ADD: While the draft pick penalties are no longer tied to going over for 3+ consecutive years, there are surcharges that get added, so while it’s still a purely monetary choice, those fees do grow higher the longer you go without a reset.
Last edited:
Is Michael Busch PPI eligible?
According to thecubreporter he is, but he is not listed on this mlb.com article.
www.mlb.com
According to thecubreporter he is, but he is not listed on this mlb.com article.
These players could earn teams extra Draft picks this year
Since the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) was implemented under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, four players have earned their clubs extra Draft picks. - PPI FAQ The PPI rewards teams for promoting their best prospects to the big leagues at the start of the season, enabling them...
www.mlb.com
Cash-strapped Cubs sell Vazquez to Orioles.
Jed has to have broken a world record for number of former Top-30 prospects on the 40-man allowed to become worthless before trading/releasing/non-tendering...
Jed has to have broken a world record for number of former Top-30 prospects on the 40-man allowed to become worthless before trading/releasing/non-tendering...
2 nuggets from Inside The Clubhouse this morning on the Score:
Would the Padres agree to a very aggressive trade in which Justin Steele is packaged into the possible Dylan Cease trade with Robert Suarez becoming part of the return?
And, the Dodgers simply cannot hold onto everyone, and had to DFA Ryan Brasier on Thursday after signing Kirby Yates, and according to Bruce Levine the Cubs have been in contact.
Would the Padres agree to a very aggressive trade in which Justin Steele is packaged into the possible Dylan Cease trade with Robert Suarez becoming part of the return?
And, the Dodgers simply cannot hold onto everyone, and had to DFA Ryan Brasier on Thursday after signing Kirby Yates, and according to Bruce Levine the Cubs have been in contact.
I really did not like this move because we all saw last season how quickly things can go sour at SS when Swanson and Hoerner were both injured at the same time. Jed is all in on Brujan as SS depth, apparently.
Jed should hang up if Justin's name is mentioned by the Padres
Wouldn't be completely against this, but I'm not sure I like this continued pattern of having veteran relievers on 1-year contracts. My guess is that Hollowell would be DFA'd, and if he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Iowa it would be worth it, but if we lose him or have to sell him for next to nothing like a half a dozen other players this off-season that would suck.
I've been waiting for Cease's right arm to fall off since he was in A-ball. If Cubs made this kind of trade it would probably happen within 6 months, and Steele would go on to win 3 Cy Young awards....
No, he’s definitely not. Last year was his rookie year and he graduated off prospect lists by midseason last year. Matt Shaw is, though.Is Michael Busch PPI eligible?
According to thecubreporter he is, but he is not listed on this mlb.com article.
These players could earn teams extra Draft picks this year
Since the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) was implemented under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, four players have earned their clubs extra Draft picks. - PPI FAQ The PPI rewards teams for promoting their best prospects to the big leagues at the start of the season, enabling them...
Not sure Vazquez was ever going to be much more than organizational depth. They certainly missed some chances to get him some ABs last year, but at the same time, the book on him coming up was a great glove with a questionable bat. He really only had one stand-out season (2023). Was surprised he was the guy moved at this point, but I thought all along that he was very much at risk for not staying on the 40-man through spring training.
Why would the Cubs swap out 3 years of control of Steele for Cease? I get that Cease is better, but not THAT much better.
Because Suarez is in this expanded package, and he's not a FA.
Maybe Jed is getting bold because he knows he will not be retained without much better results this season?
I’m just not a fan. Suarez is good, but he’s also a very velo-dependent reliever in his 30s. There’s value in getting him in a trade, certainly, but the point to getting one more front starter is to add to Steele, not incrementally improve.
But he accrued a full season of MLB service time as a rookie, and isn't arbitration eligible yet, so it seems to me that he is (and so does thecubreporter). He probably won't be finishing in the top 3 of MVP voting in the next 2 seasons, but I'm still wondering about the disrepency.
Not sure the discrepancy. I thought he had 60 days service time in LA, but he did not, only 45. The only thing I can think of is perhaps he actually missed one of those prospect lists. I’d have to go back and look.
Jack Flaherty to the Tigers. I didn't think he was too viable, but the longer he hung out there the more I thought the Cubs might get involved.
I feel like we are the favorites in the Central as is. Anything can happen in the playoffs.
Cubs also have a lot of interesting depth that could step up. Also, while I don’t think they’re done yet, I do think they’ll keep $10-15M held back and evaluate for a couple months with the ability to make moves where they think they need to.
I don’t think they have interest in Alonso at this point. They really don’t have a place for him. He has more power than Busch, obviously, but overall last year, their numbers were closer than you’d think and Busch is a much better defender….so you’d naturally look to DH, but it’s looking like Seiya will be the norm there with Tucker now in RF and I’d rather have Seiya’s bat that Alonso’s straight up.
I do think the Cubs are genuinely interested in Bregman, but only on short deal. I think the Cubs probably have an offer to him somewhere in the 3/$80-90M with opt outs (much like Belli’s deal) and if Bregman gets to the point where he’s willing to take a deal like that, then Jed might get his guy. When it comes to getting him for 6 years or more, I don’t think I’d actually want that at this point given where the Cubs are, but 3 takes a lot of pressure off Matt Shaw, strengthens the bench and gives the Cubs deeper rotations.
So I’d say roughly 0% chance for Alonso and maybe 40% and creeping up for Bregman?
I really hope we don't get Bregman - can't stand him, seems to be in decline already, and would cost 2nd and 5th draft pick and 1 mil of ifa $$$.
Looks like he cleared waivers and was outrighted, but I'm pretty sure he can elect free agency. IDRGAF. I'm just glad he's off the 40-man and I probably won't ever have to hear about him again.
I do know that Tyler Zombro liked him and I think worked with him at Tread Athletics. Wouldn’t be surprised if he accepted an assignments. These types of players often get an option date where if they’re not on the 40-man roster by some date (often like June 1, June 15), then they can elect free agency.
I’m good either way. I don’t have any hangups on Bergman, other than that I don’t want him on a long contract. If the Cubs get him, they’re better for 2025. He deepens the roster and the lineup and takes some pressure off Shaw. Either way, I’d expect Shaw to be on the OD roster and get a good amount of PT. If they don’t get him, I’m also fine and am good with Shaw getting the first shot at 3B.
I’m pretty happy the Cubs didn’t take a flyer here.
Unless he has changed his pitching recently, he was fly ball king at Busch.
He would give me unstable angina at Wrigley.
0 percent on Alonso. And, I don’t think the Mets want him back. Boras overplayed his hand with Bregman and Alonso.
I’d take Bregman on a short deal. He is still good with the glove, but he’s regressed a little at the plate. There might be something to fix, and some of that might be him pressing too much in home games to smash one into the Crawford Boxes. Alonso is a liability at first, can’t play anywhere else, and is in decline at the plate.
I don't know how this plays out with Bregman. I still think he winds up elsewhere, but when you look at it there don't seem to be many real players for his services. It seems like the Astros are out. We hear the Tigers, but they don't seem to be involved. It seems like the Red Sox and Cubs are the primary suitors minus some surprise contender. The Blue Jays?
How do we feel about the studs in the minors? Besides Shaw, is there another guy who makes an impact this year? Ballesteros is too far off right?
Also, I think I'd like to see the Cubs retain their 2nd and 5th pick in the upcoming draft. I feel like the team is drafting better
Ballesteros and Caissie are best served to get 400 ABs in the minors this year versus any spot duty in the majors. Any impact is most likely going to be Horton and BIrdsell, unless there is a significant injury to an outfielder, and I hope at that point Alcantara gets a full shot to show something.
Latest posts
-
-
Brauns, Mulvey Taking Advantage of Added Minutes Down the Stretch
- Latest: Eliot Clough
-
-