Going to pump out some blogs now that I have the time, as I know my tens of readers are on the edge of their seats! Starting out with the Cubbies. Lots of rumors to be addressed, and may I say, Jed Hoyer is quietly having himself an offseason. He is making the most of his contract year, though when asked, he will squeal and say he is just doing his job, as he always does. Well, you traded your first-round pick from last year for one year of Kyle Tucker. Your seat is hot, bro, but keep cooking!
I love the Pressly move—exactly what we needed: a true closer. Just going to assume that Pressly needs that closer job to be effective. This happens often, where a closer will get moved to the 8th and start sucking. Pressly has been extremely effective, especially in the postseason when closing. I mean, look at this:
11 innings with no runs during their World Series run just two years ago. The stretch from 2021 to 2023 was awesome, and I am optimistic he returns to being that shutdown guy in the 9th, as he has been for most of his career. Also, it’s a low-risk move, as Houston is paying $5 million of his contract. Yes, the Cubs are paying another late-inning high-leverage reliever $9 million from the Astros. Hector Neris = bad juju. Ryan Pressly feels different, though. A true 9th-inning guy.
The bullpen is really coming along, and as I have said in the past, people forget that we have Ben Brown. Those two, plus Eli Morgan and young arms like Porter Hodge continuing to get experience in high leverage, are promising. The bullpen is always a crapshoot, but the depth is the best we have seen the Cubs have in a while.
Jed has made some win-now moves while maintaining a top-five farm system with seven players in the top 100. Most have ETAs of 2025, so it would not surprise me if we use that to our advantage and deal out one or two for a horse like Cease or Michael King. I am hesitant to give up a guy like Owen Caissie (ONKC is so cool) and definitely not Matt Shaw. But you could sell me on Kevin Alcantara, Taco Truck Javier Assad, and a third piece without a doubt.
The Padres need to understand that if they are dumping salaries, they can’t just ask for everyone’s number 1-3 prospects. They don’t have a Juan Soto on the block anymore. And yes, “Wydo, prospects are no sure thing. We’ve seen it before with Brennen Davis, Brailyn Marquez (woof), Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, and your personal favorite Iowa Cub of all time, Felix Pie.” Yes, that is all true. Prospects are prospects, and they don’t always pan out. But take a look at this thread I read earlier today:
God, I hope that pasted normally, considering I am Unc. Essentially, over the past decade or so, top farm systems have been making consistent runs at titles year after year. It does matter. Sure, the Dodgers and Yankees have endless money, but they also consistently build up the best farm systems in baseball. This allows you to develop, trade where needed, and have homegrown, cheap stars on your roster.
We have to take these rumors with a grain of salt, as the Cubs, being a large-market team, are always used as leverage by agents to get better deals elsewhere. This is also why Tom Ricketts always gets made to be a fool (outside of his dumb break-even comments).
Cubs Owner and Chairman Tom Ricketts Talks About Cubs Spending – Bleacher Nation
Not only will I look like Unc if that one didn’t paste normally, but I am also directing you to a competitor. Stay on Better Luck Next Time! Anyways, not all guys rumored as options choose elsewhere because of money. Well, maybe Tanner Scott. Who knows? Alex Bregman feels like an obvious candidate for this, as he is still on the market. Though, feed me Bregman on a high AAV shorter deal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Let Shaw earn a spot and also keep in mind that Nico likely isn’t starting the season healthy, and he and Dansby have dealt with injuries over the past couple of years. We’ll see where that winds up.
If the offseason ended today, I would be pleased as a Cubs fan. You let go of Bellinger but added Kyle Tucker (humongous addition—be excited), Ryan Pressly, Matthew Boyd, Jon Berti, Eli Morgan, and a “DH” next to Seiya Suzuki’s position. Our guys are flying through the ranks, plus young potential stars like PCA are poised to build off of last season.
We need a division title this year. You don’t want to be in a Wild Card situation with how loaded the NL East is and how competitive the NL West seems to stay. I am terrified of the Reds. I said it. Terry Francona scares me. Dude just knows ball and is a Hall of Fame manager. I can see them getting Pete Alonso and him hitting 80-90 home runs at Great American Ball Park. Couldn’t care less about the other teams. Just don’t let Polar Pete go to Cincy. @Cakes told me he was a Cub, not a Cub Killer!
One response to “Cubs Offseason Continues: Hot off the Press-ly”
Awesome insight/perspective… it turns out Pete may not have been a cub after all 🙁