The Cubs did let several S&C coaches go, so I’m expecting some changes there.
*******Official Cubs 2025 Thread*******
- Thread starter hawkifann
- Start date
I haven't seen confirmation, but it was posted in the Press Box that former Iowa RB Mark Weisman has been promoted to the big leagues.
Yep, that’s what I’ve seen, too. He had actually gone on leave for the Cubs last season, so good to see him back and I think he’ll be in a good position to make an impact. He worked with several of Iowa’s top prospects in Myrtle Beach in 2022 and then as a minor league S&C coordinator in 2023.
They have multiple, and I think they’re fairly safe at the moment. Last year they changed the overall approach and focused on building a consistent hitting philosophy across the org from the majors to the complex league, as they’ve done with the pitching since 2021. Dustin Kelly is the head of the group with John Mellee as the #2. I know the offense was a huge struggle this year, but I think this was due more to a failure in injury prevention/injury handling and roster construction than the hitting coach. To the injury prevention/handling side, I think this was the reason why the Cubs made a number of changes on the strength & conditioning side, including bringing former Hawk Mark Weisman to the major league level. Hopefully that all helps, but this roster has to get deeper so that Counsell has a bench that he’ll play.
More breathless speculation about Cody Bellinger opting out. Again, I think he's gone.
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs...ral-feeling-that-cody-bellinger-will-opt-out/
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs...ral-feeling-that-cody-bellinger-will-opt-out/
Watching fans online angst their way through the Cody speculation has been fascinating. Personally, I really like Cody and will be fine if he opts in, but I think it makes a lot of sense for both Cody AND the Cubs for him to opt out. I think he’ll get a lot more total dollars and probably get a really nice deal somewhere if he opts out, even if it’s maybe not the mega deal he was picturing a few years ago. For the Cubs, Belli opting out opens a lineup spot, creates some additional positional flexibility and frees up almost $30M.
For perspective, Juan Soto’s early contract projection (I think he’ll get more, but we’ll see), is for an AAV around $46M, which is roughly what the Cubs paid Bellinger, Hendricks and Barnhart this year. There are a lot of potential outcomes with Soto (Cubs could pursue very aggressively and he chooses to stay in NY or the Cubs could balk at the years or the Cubs could sit it out entirely because #reasons), but one thing that WILL NOT be true - especially if Bellinger opts out - is that they can’t afford him. They can.
You’re not the target of my angst comment. Apologies if it read like I was insinuating that. I’m talking about the “Belli sucks” or “we’re doomed if Belli leaves” segments of Cubs social media.
Not Timmons as I speculated, but Berry was given a lot of credit for the Brewers running game the last few years as their 1b coach.
The Cubs were bad at the fundamentals of base running this season. I like this incremental move.
Now that the Cardinals are in full rebuild mode, anything that you want from their scrap pile? It was just clickbait, but there was speculation on BCB yesterday about the Cubs trading for Willson Contreras. I doubt that. It wouldn't make sense. I'd take Sonny Gray, however.
They parted ways with starters Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, and reliever Kenyan Middleton today. Middleton is probably the only one I'd kick the tires on out of that bunch.
They parted ways with starters Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, and reliever Kenyan Middleton today. Middleton is probably the only one I'd kick the tires on out of that bunch.
An early look at Cubs needs and possible acquisitions from Michael Cerami at BN.
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/11/01/mlb-trade-candidates/
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/11/01/mlb-trade-candidates/
I take it @jamesvanderwulf will be spending a lot of time here while the Cardinals strip it down to the studs.
Recovering from shoulder surgery. I’ll be lurking out of boredom. There is talk of tearing it down and cutting payroll. Haven’t seen that in StL since ‘ 65.
I miss Dexter leading off. I would love to see PCA turn into that type of leadoff hitter with his speed, but I'm not sure that's really who he is.
Hope you’re recovering.
Mo came right out and said they were cutting payroll next year.
The fans here are not happy.
It’s glorious!
Well, let's just hope he doesn't turn into a Jerome Walton and turn up in ST 20 lbs heavier. I believe PCA will be a superior lead off man eventually. He is barely learning how to keep the ball in play, and he made a bunch of stupid base running mistakes. Hopefully Berry helps. There is a fine line between aggression and being a dumb ass on the bases.
I am a little shocked by this. He must want the stability of staying in Chicago. Given the lack of CFs on the market I thought he's test the waters and lock in a few more years. I think it is well sourced that he wanted to play for a team that has its ST facilities in Arizona, where he lives year round. I am also wondering if besides the mega money Soto will get, and probably Alonso, are players a little concerned about the TV situation many teams are facing, and teams cutting payroll?
Baseballwise I am okay with this. The money could be allocated elsewhere, but he is productive and plays 3 positions well. It can be argued that playing fewer games in CF might also keep him off the IL.
Smyly being declined isn't a surprise, just too many options in house, and on the FA market who give you about the same thing, or better
So, what now FA wise? Seems Belli re-upping sort of locks the roster in place while also blocking a few up and comers?
I think it means Suzuki is the DH for the most part, and Bellinger plays RF. I think they will robustly go after a SP, bullpen help, and a veteran catcher. Some of that probably comes via a trade. They have a logjam of prospects, especially in the OF they have to elevate to the 40 man roster, or put on the MLB roster. I'd say this pushes them out of the Alonso and Soto sweepstakes. BN had a snippet up that the Cubs will have about $40 million to utilize after the arbitration cases are settled, with the another $10-15 million in reserve that Jed wants for in season acquisitions. Infield depth and OF depth comes from inside the system, and I'm fine with that.
I might be kicking myself later giving my Cubs fan buddy a baseball autographed by him.
No, and no. I'd pass on Snell. The knock on him has always been durability, and he opted out after throwing 104 innings this year. I'd rather Jed gets in on the Max Fried sweepstakes, or takes a run at Roki Sasaki.
Similar threads
