Some offseason Cubs news came this week! Sammy Sosa is back as Cubs Con kicks off, we got new alternate uniforms, and Kyle Tucker ends up not taking us to court in the second month of him being a Cub.
I actually like these unis, and they grow on me the more I look at them. These should have been our City Connects in the first place—not those fucking pajamas we wore on Friday day games for the past few years. Why they went dark blue on dark blue is beyond me, but I’m glad they’re retired now. I really like where the Cubs unis stand now: the classic pinstripes at home, these light blue alternates, and then Cubby blue and greys on the road. Toss in a couple of throwbacks, and let’s have ourselves a summer, boys!
The Cubs currently have the brightest upcoming season of all the Chicago teams, and yet you can’t help but feel like there’s more to be desired. We’ve cut our payroll significantly—from $239 million down to $179 million as of January 17th. We already have a better roster than last season, but there definitely need to be a couple more moves made.
Everyone has been clamoring for another horse in the rotation, and Colin Rea certainly does not fit that mold. Roki Sasaki was a swing and a miss, as that coward likely goes to Los Angeles. I’m starting to think the Cubs are playing around the margins and opening up gaps for prospects to step in. Is it possible they don’t want to flood the bullpen so that Cade Horton or Ben Brown gets a chance? Sure. It’s risky, especially given both promising rookies have their fair share of injury concerns.
I like the idea of long-shitty-neck Ben Brown starting the season at the back end of the bullpen, seeing how things go, and slowly stretching that neck of his out with spot starts to prove he can do it. People forget just how good he was until that injury last season. I think Cade Horton should be stretched out the same way Steele was a few years ago. If we could get 85–100 MLB innings out of him this year, that would be awesome.
You have to wonder where the remaining capital is going—or whether Tom Ricketts will just use that money to buy off Sandlot on Clark Street. Side note: love that Jed Hoyer threw Ricketts under the bus on non-tendering Schwarber after the COVID year.
Nico Hoerner might not start the season, Dansby Swanson just had surgery (but should be ready), and right now, the only third baseman you have ready to go is rookie Matt Shaw. I would be surprised if things stayed the same because you for sure need to get another infielder to at least provide a little runway for Shaw and make him earn the spot in Spring. It would be quite the disappointment to just run out Vidal Bruján as our starting second baseman and hope Shaw is ready. Maybe James Triantos shines in Spring too—people forget about him.
I personally would love Bregman on a short-term, high-AAV deal. I know it will suck if he opts in next year after a down season, but where else are those funds going? Don’t act like you’re going to give Kyle Tucker his bag because you’re not. You’ll sell him on living in Lincoln Park, Birdz Nest, and the vibes of playing at Wrigley during the summer, and he’ll say, “Actually, I’d rather wear different pinstripes and make $400 million.” I liked the trade because you do get a bona fide star to help this team compete for a division title while some of our top prospects, like Caissie and others previously mentioned, marinate for a bit. ONKC will be a star.
But now you’re in a division with a hungry Cincinnati team that just got Terry Francona, so let’s push this thing into high gear. Get another infielder and spend a wad on a closer. Don’t expect Porter Hodge to come in and replicate Craig Kimbrel’s 2021 season.
More realistically than Bregman (because that feels like Boras smoke), I wouldn’t mind a Justin Turner to play the corners a bit if he can still handle third—or a guy like Brandon Drury. Hip hip Jorge Polanco (MLB The Show legend)? Maybe even Yoán Moncada? White Sox fan throws tomato. He’d slide in nicely if he can stay on the field for a bit and be a higher-upside stopgap for our young infielders.
Ideally, you get a Kyle Finnegan to go along with an infielder, and then I’m extremely pumped about the offseason the Cubs had. I don’t know what inning Jed will say his offseason is in, but I hope he uses his last inning or two on a guy who can reliably pitch the last inning or two.
Overall, I’m optimistic about my Cubbies this year. 90 wins and the division. 90 wins and the division. 90 wins and the division. Please.
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