Figured we could use a new post, what with not having written anything since last year (technically).
First item of business is the arbitration exchange deadline, which is on the 9th (Thursday as of this posting). Most of the arbitration-eligible guys on the Cubs have either been shipped out or settled with, but Justin Steele, Nate Pearson, and the newly acquired Kyle Tucker have yet to agree to a contract. Per the MLBTR post from October or so, Tucker is projected for $15.8MM in his final go-around before the Cubs have to figure out how to extend him, Steele around $6.4MM, and Pearson at $1.4MM. I imagine these will be done in short order as the Cubs are generally pretty good about not going to arbitration for any of their players.
Secondly, we have the Roki Sasaki situation. He can’t sign until after January 15 and must sign before January 23, so there’s about a week left before the first date to come to Chicago and visit the city and the ballpark and its associated facilities. Luckily for us (so far), the weather hasn’t been terrible, and given the success of the Japanese guys already hanging out with the Cubs, we have a pretty good chance for any team that isn’t obscenely rich (Dodgers) or mired in a family squabble (Padres).
Third, we have the Cubs Convention coming up! Would be kind of fun to invite Roki as a distinguished guest, which would seriously freak out a huge chunk of the population that cares about baseball. Of course we have a very legendary guest returning to the franchise in an official capacity, along with the new guys and top prospects, so a Roki surprise would be the cherry on top, albeit extremely unlikely for various reasons (dying laughing)
Finally, with the Cubs reporting to spring training early due to opening the season a week ahead of everyone else in Tokyo against the Dodgers, they will have to complete this version of the club that starts off. My guess is a couple more relievers (wouldn’t mind at least one more actual left-handed pitcher) and an additional starter, plus an extra bench guy who can back up the infield positions. Life gets a bit easier with a Roki Sasaki, but that is more of a bonus than anything at this point.
Comments
I’m curious to see how the Bears fuck up the offseason this time, too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice CubeQuote Reply
As always, great rip on that vape pen from Tom Ricketts.
berseliusQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
mlbtr suggests the Yanks want to trade Marcus Stroman. The Cubs should offer Cody Peteet for Stroman and some cash.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
I’m honestly not sure if they think Stroman is the best clubhouse companion now
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Buster Posey strikes!
Verlander –> Giants
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Bah
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Cubs #130
“Rookie Rewind”
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PerkinsQuote Reply
RIP Matusz
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/brian-matusz-passes-away.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
π’
berseliusQuote Reply
What do they expect with such slim pickings
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Fairly straightforward
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Have you heard anything specific on this? Because the Stroman I remember was pretty great with interactions, imo of course. He seems to be a bit of a lightning rod because he speaks his mind on Twitter, but I don’t recall teammates being upset with him, or even hearing issues between management and him. Seems like he’s just not good with NY media, particularly when with the Mets.
I feel like he gets the Milton Bradley treatment. Somewhere in the Dmick/mb21 archives, we’ve covered that.
BVSQuote Reply
We should advertize that we do no content control on comments. If it works for Meta, it should work for us. (dying laughing)
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
(dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
In solidarity with Jordan Love, I managed to sleep on my arm funny and have a pinched ulnar nerve that is making two of my fingers numb-ish. Typing gonna be fun today.
berseliusQuote Reply
BVS,
I don’t necessarily think any of the issues are as bad as with MB, and on the surface Stroman seems like a good dude, but I believe any misgivings would be from the higher ups and not necessarily from the players due to the lack of filter
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Tough day for rarity.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Bears.
andcountingQuote Reply
Not obscure enough
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Joe Mather was a tricky one
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Cubs #132
“Another Wild Card”
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Pearson at $1.35MM
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Steele at $6.55MM so that beat the projection
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cubs find a new reliever, but where will Mastrobuoni go?
https://bsky.app/profile/bastianmlb.bsky.social/post/3lfdlgfqcs22t
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Now I remember why the 2012 Cubs lost 100 games.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
He’ll follow McKinstrey to the Tigers where he’ll be amazing for a month, making the Cubs look dumb, and then revert to his standard production but after the idea that the Cubs made a dumb move takes root.
Or, more likely, Seattle.
BVSQuote Reply
Not bad.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
This is potentially helpful
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/cubs-granted-fourth-option-year-on-caleb-kilian.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Guess Tucker and the Cubs are $2.5MM apart so let’s see what happens
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Heyman with the numbers, both the Cubs and Tucker have reasonable numbers so I think they settle eventually before any trial
https://bsky.app/profile/jonheyman.bsky.social/post/3lfe6ywp5hk2v
Rice CubeQuote Reply
What are we doing Cubs, do you want Tucker to come back
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
On the surface it’s a poor look, but they do have a month to settle before a hearing despite going full file and trial now
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Crazy
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Learning some new Cubs each day
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Cubs #133
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
https://theonion.com/gavin-newsom-spotted-dining-at-smoldering-remains-of-nobu/
berseliusQuote Reply
Stolen bases did me in.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Filing away Bobo Newsom for next time IG asks about a 200 game winner
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Hmmm, ok
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/cubs-to-sign-colin-rea-2.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Eager to hear the rationale for signing Colin Rea. Unless they think they can turn him into an elite reliever, the Cubs have plenty of depth arms who are better and cheaper.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
There’s a nonzero chance one of the depth relievers will get traded or outrighted, it’s a cheap enough contract that it theoretically shouldn’t stop the Cubs from doing something else
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Thatβs fair, but I was thinking about Wicks, Brown, and Assad, who would theoretically fill up the depth chart after acquiring another SP.
Rea feels about as useful as a right-handed Drew Smyly.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
I think that undersells Rea too much (dying laughing)
He’s not a sexy add but he’s relatively cheap and he eats way more innings than Smyly could
Rice CubeQuote Reply
100%
berseliusQuote Reply
Hecking Glavine
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Couple of players could have multiple spots
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“555-HOME-RUN”
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
20 wins x SS was tough for rarity.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Kind of tough today.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
lez go bolts and birds today
berseliusQuote Reply
The chaos begins
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/pirates-to-sign-dodgers-committed-intl-prospect-darell-morel.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Chargering roaring back
berseliusQuote Reply
Looks like the Dodgers reneged on a couple deals already (which technically can’t be signed until 1/15 anyway) but the Pirates will snatch one of them up
Rice CubeQuote Reply
berselius,
I saw a 2nd and 40 on the play by play and thought someone glitched but I guess not
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This second half is brought to you by the Sickos Meme (dying laughing)
berseliusQuote Reply
Scorigami!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Ravens may win this game /analysis
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Had a tough time with rarity on those teams for HOF.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
The phantom downvoter seems to have returned.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Not a fan of the Ravens
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wonder if it would’ve been better to use Willie McCovey in the Padres column instead of the 2000 column
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Oops!
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Let’s see if the Packers will keep the football on this next run back
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Not the start the packers were looking for
berseliusQuote Reply
Push that tush
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Packers are going to be pulling fans out of the stands to play wr at this point
berseliusQuote Reply
At least Bakhtiari’s contract is finally off the books
berseliusQuote Reply
Jordan Love’s ability to get the ball to his receivers .01 seconds before a defender can collide with them at full speed is unmatched.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
I feel like Buffalo did that earlier today, the receiver got super concussed on a helmet to helmet too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Would be fun to see an upset of sorts tonight
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This next podcast episode is going to be something else! Don’t forget to tune in!
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Ope, I fell asleep during the late game, looking forward to hearing yall.
berseliusQuote Reply
Will have to be tomorrow, sleepy
Rice CubeQuote Reply
New shit you can listen to yay –> https://www.obstructedview.net/podcast/dreamcast-100-an-unconventional-podcast/
Rice CubeQuote Reply