*******Official Cubs 2025 Thread*******
- Thread starter hawkifann
- Start date
As a Cubs fan who used to live in St. Louis and has a lot of Cardinals fans for friends, and has a deep respect for one of the best-run organizations in professional sports, I actually think this would be a shame.
You're probably right, although I wish that the Cubs would get Busch to re-learn how to play 3B. Belli is about as good at 1B as he is OF, and he went on the IL each of the past 2 seasons due to outfield wall-related injuries. I think the strongest Cubs lineup would have Suzuki DH, Belli 1B, Busch 3B, and RF being whoever rises to the top between Canario and Caissie, with lots of flexibility in there with Tauchman & Belli able to play all OF spots. We could use some depth in the infield, though, if our stud prospects are not quite ready; we're probably stuck with dead-weight Paredes, and I'm not sure Vazquez is ready to be a regular utility infielder yet.
As a Cubs fan stuck in this Cards hellhole, I grudgingly agree they are a very good organization that routinely out kicks its payroll coverage.
However, the last few years have not been their best from a GM and baseball operations viewpoint.
And the fans here are not happy. (Cards fans are spoiled).
In a Johnny Olson voice: "COME ON DOWN! YOU'RE THE FIRST 4 CONTESTANTS ON THE CUBS NON-TENDER TRAIN...."
Paredes is the only slight surprise on that list of players non tendered.
BN has a list of potential FA targets for the Cubs, and their possible price tag.
Burnes, Fried, and Santander all would come with draft compensation to their current team, and IFA money being lost. Normally the Cubs are hesitant to give up draft picks and IFA money, but will Jed Hoyer be less cautious with his job clearly on the line?
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/11/04/mlb-free-agent-projections/
BN has a list of potential FA targets for the Cubs, and their possible price tag.
Burnes, Fried, and Santander all would come with draft compensation to their current team, and IFA money being lost. Normally the Cubs are hesitant to give up draft picks and IFA money, but will Jed Hoyer be less cautious with his job clearly on the line?
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/11/04/mlb-free-agent-projections/
Yeah, not sure what the Cubs are waiting for. They need to get rid of the players who were the top 2 on the team in HR, RBI, OBP, SLG, OPS, & wRC+; 3rd & 4th in WAR, plus a gold glove. 🤡
A report says it, so it must be true! The Cubs and Mariners might make a deal, with the Cubs sending a top hitting prospect to the Mariners in return for a young SP.
The Mariners have been vocal about boosting their offense, and the infield makes the most sense, and they have a wealth of young pitchers they could part with. But, do you give up Shaw or Triantos?
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/11/06/cubs-trade-mariners/
The Mariners have been vocal about boosting their offense, and the infield makes the most sense, and they have a wealth of young pitchers they could part with. But, do you give up Shaw or Triantos?
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/11/06/cubs-trade-mariners/
Yes, they are the favorites, but I wouldn’t call it a lock. Chicago has a large Japanese community and a history of successfully bringing in Japanese players. Dave Roberts helps the Dodgers, but I also wonder if Sasaki is leery of playing in Ohtani and Yamamoto’s shadows.
If not the Cubs or Dodgers I suspect SD and the NY teams have the best odds with him.
I honestly haven’t heard his name associated with the Cubs at all. But I’m keeping the hope.
Cubs execs have made multiple trips to Japan in order to scout him. He knows they are interested.
I don't know all the details on the posting process, but if he does not immediately post then I think the Cubs, or any team but the Dodgers, have a better shot. When you are posted there is a 45 day window to sign with a team. 1/15 is the day teams have their IFA signing pool refreshed. From what I have read the Dodgers have almost all of their 2024 money still available, the Cubs, and others, have used the bulk of that money by now. Since Sasaki will not be a true FA he can only sign within that IFA pool amount. If he wants the maximum amount he should wait for more money when the pool is refreshed, and increased.
That’s a pretty good summary. Cubs can also try to get pool money in trades ahead of that deadline, too. As you noted, Cubs have been heavily scouting him and he certainly knows the interest is there. Sasaki is largely just going to come down to his choice, money will be pretty comparable regardless of team.
Cubs make a big move for their pitching development infrastructure. It think this will prove to be a very, very good move, though these kinds of moves are hard to quantify.
I was just reading up on this hire. I like it because it's so forward thinking.
This is the kind of move the Astros and Brewers have been making. I love it. Also, can’t do anything to hurt their chances with Sasaki since Roki has specifically mentioned a system that can help him max his own development as a major factor in his choice (to be clear, the Dodgers obviously check this box in sharpie, too).
All right, tomorrow is R5D protection day, and the non-tender train will continue (so far we're at 4, but there will have to be at least one more by tomorrow).
Anyone other than Owen Caissie going to be added to the 40-man? Cowles didn't exactly turn heads during the AFL so he's probably safe. Christian Franklin and Aliendo seem too far away still. Kohl Franklin?
What's the over/under on the total number of non-tenders by Friday? I'm thinking 5 more this week, although I'd be ok with more. This really feels like a clean house/flush out the dirt/get rid of the dead weight type of off-season.
Anyone other than Owen Caissie going to be added to the 40-man? Cowles didn't exactly turn heads during the AFL so he's probably safe. Christian Franklin and Aliendo seem too far away still. Kohl Franklin?
What's the over/under on the total number of non-tenders by Friday? I'm thinking 5 more this week, although I'd be ok with more. This really feels like a clean house/flush out the dirt/get rid of the dead weight type of off-season.
Caissie is obviously the no-brainer. He’d 100% be taken. Beyond that, I’d be most worried about pitching. From that category, I would think Frankie Scalzo, Jr., and Riley Martin maybe would be the first two to think about? Both of them are close enough to get a big-league call-up and could potentially stick, but not sure either is quite there yet to A) stick in a bad team’s bullpen for a full season and B) warrant the Cubs letting someone go for them just yet.
For Cowles it was just about getting onto the field after some injuries. I cannot see a team taking a chance on him.
Cassie would be snapped up in a heartbeat. I think Aliendo is too far off, but I like him as a guy who might turn into a solid #2 MLB catcher.
The FA market of catchers is pretty meh, but the team is looking for someone to be a back up to Amaya for 1-2 years. Kyle Higashioka is still available, and I'd really look hard at him. He speaks Japanese and Spanish. He has some pop left in his bat, and is a decent defender, but I am looking for any edge possible in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes. Would it be of any value to add a catcher Sasaki wouldn't need a translator for?
I like Higashioka and if the cubs don’t move on an upgrade at C, he’d be a great pickup.
Similar threads
