He instantly gives extra pop subsequent to Yan Gomes and also options two Gold Glove awards. Although Tucker wasn’t the flashiest of moves, he does represent a considerable upgrade at the position and is just 1 additional instance of the Cubs attempting to enhance ahead of a pivotal season. As talked about above, the signing of Bellinger adds a level of intrigue with the Cubs.

His bat and veteran leadership would have been excellent for a team that has now lost Willson Contreras and requirements a player or two in the clubhouse with some years under his belt. But the contract Abreu got from Houston would not have been excellent for the Cubs’ extended continue reading this..-term plans. A lot of that is thanks to enhanced beginning pitching. Marcus Stroman has a two.74 ERA considering the fact that July 9, and Drew Smyly and Adrian Sampson have emerged as second half stars.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Chicago Cubs prospect Alexander Canario appears to be making progress in his recovery from a freak ankle and shoulder injury that he suffered for the duration of a Winter League game in October. Canario appears to no longer require crutches as he was spotted in only a walking boot. Hopefully absolutely everyone had a merry Christmas and is enjoying their holidays. This time of year brings plenty of rumors about particular cost-free agents and the Chicago Cubs being involved proves they are no exception. The Chicago Cubs are nonetheless in need of a 1st baseman and taking a flyer on veteran Eric Hosmer could be a quick-term remedy. There are nonetheless a lot of ifs, query marks and scenarios that need to have to wind up in the greatest-case category for that to happen.

The other significant move was the five-year, $85 million deal (plus a posting charge that pushed the total worth to nearly $one hundred million) with Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs avoided arbitration with Adrian Sampson and Rowan Wick, agreeing to a single-year bargains with each pitchers whilst tendering contracts to Happ, Hoerner, Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer. Former best prospect Brailyn Marquez, outfielder Rafael Ortega and pitcher Alexander Vizcaino, who was acquired as component of the Anthony Rizzo deal but didn’t pitch all of final season, had been all non-tendered. The Cubs will enter the subsequent phase of their strategy with a payroll hovering about $140 million, according to RosterResource. If you read the above quote from Harris closely, you noticed the last sentence about developing a defense behind Detroit’s pitchers. As the Tigers turn their attention to adding position players in the latter half of the Hot Stove season, that’s worth noting.

It has been a hot topic on regional talk radio, even though there has been no indication the Cardinals would pony up to sign Contreras, who could be asking for something in the neighborhood of 5 years and $100 million. Zack Wheeler’s return from the injured list went about as effectively as could be anticipated. He hurled four innings of scoreless baseball against a challenging Braves lineup, averaging a lot more velocity on his fastball than he had all season. He will likely have a bit longer of a leash this time about. The Chicago Cubs go through a handful of games where they play well and then put up full duds like this on a typical basis.

Bell fills just as robust of a will need, if not improved than Abreu did due to his switch-hitting. He is younger, more affordable, and would mash in a hitters ballpark like Wrigley Field. The needs are lots for the Cubs this offseason as the group has query marks at the second base position, third base position, 1st base position, centerfield, catcher, and their pitching staff. Taking into consideration the vast requirements that the Cubs have this offseason, it stands to explanation that the group will also look to the trade marketplace for improvements as effectively. The Astros signed former White Sox first baseman José Abreu to a three-year, $60 million contract earlier nowadays.

That may possibly give them room to dive into the deep finish of the free of charge agent player pool. Getty ImagesThe Chicago Cubs finished the 2022 season with a record of 74-88, putting them in third place in the National League Central Division. The Cubs finished 19 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Winter Meetings are underway these days, although it’s just early arrivals convening in the hotel bar, and the official start is Monday. Minnesota was trailing, four-three, in the bottom of the ninth when Miguel Sano stepped to the plate with Gio Urshela and Trevor Larnach on base with one particular out.

Had a short 2015 stint with Cubs, a single of 11 teams in his 17-year career. Crucial element of the bullpen for the beloved 1969 Cubs. Time will inform when precisely these guys get to the significant leagues. There will be other farmhands who are not necessarily ranked to get playing time next year, which is common for any baseball season. Who knows, there could be a top rated prospects with an ETA of 2024 or later who could surprise and see some playing time at the corner of Clark and Addison in 2023. Already this offseason, rumors have connected him with the Detroit Tigers, potentially setting up a reunion with Javier Báez.

(Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)If I produced these rankings about 4 years ago the Marlins could possibly be bottom of this list. Their recent rebrand saved them from an all-time negative uniform set across any sport. The Marlins do have a fantastic set and the only reason I say they really should be better is mainly because they do not wear their electric blue jerseys. They have a fantastic uniform they put on all spring, but have but to bring it into the common season rotation.

The similar way the Packers look so considerably improved than everybody else in the NFL, the A’s do it as effectively in baseball. (Colorado Rockies/Twitter)These would maybe be a tier up if it were not for the black road alternate. Purple and black is one more awesome color combo and the residence pinstripes perform really well. By itself, that may perhaps be my favored uniform in the entire sport. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)The Rangers may perhaps have been in “The Bad” section if it have been not for their child blue set.

If you’re brave sufficient to take away your blinders and champagne-stained sunglasses, you will see that where the Cubs are today was often inevitable. Confident, that sounds a tiny too Thanos-y for most, so colour me the large blue antagonist. Meanwhile, what are the Brewers performing to enhance their roster and make certain the Cubs don’t catch them in the standings?