AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

The Rundown: Cubs Inching Toward 90 Wins, Hoyer Seeking Bullpen Additions, Sasaki Explains Decision to Join Dodgers

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJanuary 23, 2025

Cubs news should come with a warning label for many fans because, despite evidence to the contrary, the phrase “we’re not done making moves” generally incites rabid interest in the top players available. I’m going to stay positive today, but before digging in, two things must be considered:

  1. There aren’t any top players available, including Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, who fit into Jed Hoyer’s budget;
  2. Hoyer tends to make one big move per winter before turning his focus to underrated veterans and depth players.

The acquisition of Kyle Tucker was this winter’s marquee move, and it’s a big one. Tucker has drawn comparisons to Juan Soto that aren’t entirely out of line based on production. Matthew Boyd, Rob Zastryzny, and Eli Morgan are his lottery tickets, i.e., players generally expected to top their projections. Other than that, Chicago’s front office has added bench and bullpen depth. Jack Flaherty would be a nice acquisition, but Rōki Sasaki was really the only impact pitcher who fit into Hoyer’s budget, and he’s no longer available. Flaherty won’t become a Cub unless he’s willing to take a one or two-year deal. Even if it’s painful to admit at times, we all know Hoyer rarely swims outside his lane.

The Cubs didn’t do as much in the trade market as many of us expected, either. Tucker replaces Cody Bellinger, who was traded to the Yankees for Cody Poteet, and Matt Shaw replaces Isaac Paredes, who was flipped to the Astros with Cam Smith for Tucker. The net gain of all those moves is a win or two, which tracks with Hoyer’s previous offseason acquisitions. A full season of post-July Pete Crow-Armstrong would be a huge boost, maybe the biggest on the roster. The rookie outfielder batted .284 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, and 82 total bases in August and September, which exceeded his entire output through July.

It’s gone relatively unnoticed, but the front office terminated its association with several non-impact and negative-WAR players, too. Yan Gomes (-0.7 WAR) was cut last June, Christopher Morel (-0.6) was traded at last season’s deadline, and Hector Néris (-0.2) was punted a month later. Patrick Wisdom (-0.4), Nick Madrigal (-0.4), and Miles Mastrobuoni (-0.2) were offseason mercy killings. Losing Mike Tauchman (0.6) hurts a little, but Alexander Canario (+0.3 in 28 plate appearances) is a capable replacement. If Nico Hoerner is unavailable by Opening Day, James Triantos might make his big league debut.

Most analysts believe the Cubs still need a veteran late-inning bullpen presence, but Nate Pearson could be that guy. Hoyer has full faith and trust in Tyson Miller, Julian Merryweather, and Porter Hodge as well. Tanner Scott and/or Kirby Yates would have been better-than-decent upgrades, though it seems Hoyer was too financially handcuffed to close those deals. The club’s goal is 90 wins, and though I’m no Hoyer apologist, Chicago finished the 2024 season with 88 Pythagorean wins. The front office may see the ballclub as being on the precipice of meeting or exceeding that benchmark, whether we agree with those best-case projections or not.

Forget about the Dodgers, at least for now. Everything they’ve done just doesn’t matter unless the Cubs face them in the playoffs. Most fans will consider 2025 a success if Chicago can finally unseat the Brewers and play in this year’s postseason tournament.

Cubs News & Notes

Odds & Sods

Hall of Famer pitcher Bob Feller would probably be passed over by scouts today because of that motion.

Central Intelligence

Thursday Stove

The Twins and Padres have discussed a trade involving Christian Vázquez. Minnesota is also reportedly interested in Dylan Cease.

Sasaki said he chose the Dodgers over the Cubs, Blue Jays, Mets, and Padres because of the stability of L.A.’s front office.

Sasaki asked teams to pinpoint the reasons for his recent drop in velocity, and Los Angeles apparently provided the best data.

The Japanese phenom has the highest ceiling of all current right-handed pitching prospects despite the downtick in his stuff. Imagine that.

The Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw remain interested in a reunion.

The Blue Jays have shown interest in Bregman but might be more inclined to sign Alonso instead.

A growing list of MLB teams are opting for value-pricing menus in their stadiums to incentivize customers who complain about rising ticket prices.

I am assuming that because Tom Ricketts intends to break even, hot dogs at Wrigley Field will go for a buck or two. Why not bring back Dollar Dogs? Similarly, an ice-cold Old Style should set you back about $3.75 in a non-profit stadium. If only.

Extra Innings

The Cubs have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.

They Said It

  • “You see a guy like Shohei Ohtani, he’s waiting back. And he’s so long and strong, he can hit a curveball and a fastball, and you can see how much time he has. But [for] a guy with shorter levers like me … their timing mechanisms are a little different. [I] don’t have the luxury of just kind of, foot down, and hitting everything. So, the leg kick actually gives [me] a little bit easier timing to adjust from pitch to pitch.” – Shaw
  • “Best offensive players hit the most. That’s kind of always going to be the original thought. I think Pete [Crow-Armstrong] could get there. Pete is a developing baseball player, and we still want to get that right. There are no lineup decisions made. But, frankly, my gut says no Pete at the top [of the order] to start the year.” – Craig Counsell
  • “When we have injuries [this year], we’ll plug in a Top-100 prospect in most positions, which I feel great about. But as far as building a bench, you have to look at guys that have done that in the past.” – Hoyer

Thursday Walk-Up Song

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker-Jacks without breaking the bank, of course.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJanuary 23, 2025
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