It’s truly insane how big a fuck up that was. I still don’t understand how it happened. Ricketts is still being a cheap asshole, but I can understand his demand this offseason to get back under and re-set the escalation tax penalties. It’s pretty much the only way they will possibly re-sign Tucker next off season
I don’t think there’s any way they do this but I wonder if they’re trying to get the marlins to lower their demands for Luzardo
I'm sure it's a combination of saving money and too many cooks in the kitchen. Only a limited number of at bats and just too many guys to split them between after the Tucker addition, not to mention Caissie and Alcantara waiting in the wings and candidates for 2nd half at bats.
There’s no way they do that. By going over the luxury tax we’d have to give up our second and fifth picks and $1 million in international bonus money if we sign him. Ricketts is already cheap but this would be just plain stupid.
They have over 40M to play with now so they could fit him in. But they’re not going to be comfortable giving him over 200M, and given the declining stuff, I kinda agree with that. I think they’ll end up with Luzardo and hopefully some of the better relievers on the market Edit: I also said above they’re definitely not going into the tax
I’m saying because we went over the luxury tax last year. We will have to give up two picks and $1 million in international money since Burnes got a qualifying offer. I doubt we’ll be willing to give that up on top of his salary cost.
Getting rid of Bellinger is a horrible move now? We essentially have 50 million to spend now, if we plan on being around last year's salaries.
Name the big market teams that are trying to win the World Series next year that are salary dumping useful players so they can spend more
Name the big market team that is carrying a fifth outfielder making $27 million. I’ll save you the trouble, there are none because any front office knows that capital is better deployed elsewhere and would’ve unloaded Bellinger too.
This situation is far less complicated than people are choosing to make it. Left field is Happ’s they’re not moving him to play Belli. Right field is Tucker’s now, they’re not playing Belli over him. 1B is Busch’s, he put up a higher fWAR as a rookie than Belli did even though Belli played a higher defensive value position most of the season. DH is Suzuki’s, he’s had the best bat on the team for three years now and is cheaper than Belli. That leaves PCA, PCA put up a higher fWAR as a rookie in 150 fewer plate appearances than Belli had. And that was with him being completely lost at the plate for the first 2.5 months. Belli had no purpose on this team and has proven the last two years to be somewhat injury prone. Better to dump that contract and use that money elsewhere. If we don’t use that money then yes this was a dumb move but it’s not going to be hard to use that $27 million in areas that are more of a need than a fifth outfielder.
I think they just tweeted out the graphic, I don’t think there was any accompanying explanation right now. Last year the full cubs breakdown came out in January so we’ll get some more insight then
Luzardo talks reportedly dead. Don’t mind this pivot, the price and his injury history are super risky
This makes me glad, if we’re going to take a risk on a recovering pitcher I’d rather not trade prospects and sign Buehler. The cost will be similar from salary standpoint and Buehler’s ceiling has been much higher in his career than Luzardo’s.
Zips projections blog for fangraphs. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-zips-projections-chicago-cubs/ TL;DR Zips adores our lineup, every batter projected for 100+ OPS+ besides Dansby and PCA and both of them projected for 4.5 and 3.5 WAR still. Rotation they’re very meh on. Bullpen projected to be very good but not quite elite. Says we’re the favorite for the Central and we’d be the far and away favorite if we signed an ace.
Cubs convention must not have been selling at all lol. Sammy puts out a nothing statement referencing mistakes, ricketts follows up with an immediate acceptance of the non-apology and invited him to cubs convention You’re not slick Tom
I'm positive the ricketts family has done disgraceful shit to get where they are. Get off your high horses, you broke ass cucks
Somewhat sour grapes but a burnes contract does scare the shit out of me. They need to spend the money somewhere though obviously. It’s risky as hell to bank on roki
He’s also dumb but unfortunately I think his sourcing is good on that one. Makes it really confounding why they did the ticket trade but fuck it. Even more confounding if they don’t spend the bellinger money
So we trade for tucker then don't come to a contract agreement and are going to arb. Complete Fucking losers
lol great idea to alienate the dude right off the bat over $2M. I’m sure that won’t come back to bite them in the ass when it comes time to negotiate a new contract.
Life is more enjoyable when you follow the league and players you like vs following a team that isn't serious.
Everyone is freaking out but not taking a moment to understand that the Cubs offer at 15m was more than fair. They didn’t low ball him. A deal will get done. No it’s not going to be long term. Anyone expecting that is a fucking idiot.
This front office leaks nothing... Hoyer was beyond pissed when the news leaked we met with his agents (apparently that leak came from a rival agent) and so I don't think any beat guy is going to have any idea where the Cubs stand in this thing. It's pretty clear that they are trying.