2025 Pitch Meetings

In Commentary And Analysis by Rice Cube52 Comments

Before the Cubs ramp up for spring training in a couple weeks, I had taken a look at the roster as it stands, and the many questions marks still to figure out for just the rotation alone. No matter if they are pitchers or position players, with so much time between now and the opening series in Tokyo, and so many possibilities for trades, releases and other cuts, injuries, and some Minor League Guy just raking or shoving, any of this can change. But since the transactions have been relatively quiet save for a Jon Berti signing here and a prospective Ryan Pressly trade there, with the Cubs content playing a long game, that gives us some time to tinker with the roster ourselves until they finalize it on their end. It is worth noting that the 40-man roster is full at this writing, with two spots needing to be cleared for Berti and Pressly assuming both deals become official. Berti can probably wait until closer to spring training, but Pressly is a trade so that corresponding move will probably happen sooner. If I had to take a guess, to make room, the Cubs will likely try to outright the non-Swanson/Nico/Busch infielder(s) and some of the fringe pitchers we talk about below.

As previously noted, there will be a 13-pitcher maximum for opening day up until September when the team can carry an extra pitcher (they also get an extra for doubleheaders). With Craig Counsell potentially leveraging a six-man rotation or other strategies to give his guys rest and keep them healthy, options become pretty important as well. So far I’ve locked in Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon for the rotation, with the newly signed Caleb Thielbar joining Porter Hodge and Tyson Miller plus the pending trade guy Ryan Pressley locked into bullpen roles. Everyone else is kind of up in the air, even though you could argue some guys (i.e., a Javier Assad) will get precedence for their prior performance and versatility. If we include Assad then, that gives us eight pitching staff locks and five spots to fill.

Keeping in mind this does not account for waiver claims, outrights, trades, or flat out releasing a guy, I’m using Arizona Phil’s roster table as a reference. For the guys we haven’t mentioned yet (Assad does hae options remaining if you were curious), here are the ones who can be optioned for 2025:

  • Ben Brown
  • Gavin Hollowell
  • Caleb Kilian
  • Luke Little
  • Eli Morgan
  • Jack Neely
  • Daniel Palencia
  • Nate Pearson
  • Cody Poteet
  • Ethan Roberts
  • Jordan Wicks

And now, the guys who don’t have options and would have to be outrighted to get them off the active roster:

  • Matthew Boyd
  • Matt Festa
  • Julian Merryweather
  • Colin Rea
  • Keegan Thompson
  • Rob Zastryzny

Since they actually signed them to big money, I think we can reasonably figure Boyd and Rea into the starting rotation at least to begin the season. Merryweather was also settled with for arbitration so I don’t think they’ll dump him too quickly.

For the rest, I think keeping Nate Pearson stretched out (since the Cubs have designs on letting him try starting) is a good idea and they’ll do it in the spring and see what happens. Jordan Wicks is a “best shape of his life” candidate who could be a strong rotation candidate still if he stays healthy and in a groove. There are injury concerns with Ben Brown and Luke Little since they ended 2024 on the shelf, but it seems both are in camp ready to roll, so it would be fun to have them contributing as well. I think this situation is still very much fluid, but it is at least a good idea to see what the internal options are. Suffice it to say if I didn’t say their names here, I don’t care if they’re in Iowa or off the roster altogether, which is probably a reflection of my standards and/or stupidity. But this is a pretty deep group with lots of transactional motility that will give the Cubs lots of options, so I feel like we can be at least somewhat content.

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  4. Author
    Rice Cube

    They probably shouldn’t use that Henry Rodriguez anymore

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  10. BVS

    Rice Cube,

    Surprises me that they dfa Vazquez over Brujan. Vazquez has options. Brujan does not, but has proven over 4 years he can’t hit in the majors, and was marginal in AAA. Vazquez was 1 for 12 or so last year having his coffee, but was good/decent at AAA and had some pop. Vazquez seems like the better bet over Brujan.

    While Berti can play short, he’s played it less than 3rd or 2nd. But I guess Nico is the backup at short now if needed and Shaw plays 2nd then.

    Maybe Brujan gets cut for Pressley as RC suggested.

    Not sure what to think of Gage Workman here, but iirc he’s more of a 3b too.

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  12. Author
    Rice Cube

    BVS,

    One theory for Workman is that they just send Detroit something so they can outright him if they want to without returning him per Rule 5 πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

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  14. Perkins

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  17. Perkins

    Bah

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  24. BVS

    So Cubs talking to Padres about Dylan Cease.

    Let’s assume it’ll take Assad or Wicks and an OF. Would your OF choice be

    Alcantara
    Canario
    or
    Cassie?

    I think Canario, but tough call.

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  25. Author
    Rice Cube

    BVS,

    I feel like Canario is too low of value, plus Canario is the one of the three you don’t mind just rotting on the bench. Caissie probably has no spot on this team absent an injury for the next couple seasons, I think he goes and the Cubs keep KA to back up the backup CF.

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  26. BVS

    Rice Cube: I think he goes and the Cubs keep KA to back up the backup CF.

    That’s why I wouldn’t include KA.

    I guess Seiya moves back to right when Tucker leaves next year and KA gets a lot of time as a sub until Happ leaves after 26 (right?).

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  33. Perkins

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  39. Perkins

    I’d have sworn Rafael Ortega was on the Cubs in 2019.

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  47. Perkins

    Tough one today.

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  49. Author
    Rice Cube

    I knew the single teams and was just futzing with the others mostly

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