Baseball: Chicago Cubs

Almost a month ago, I released my Opening Day roster prediction 1.0, and a little more than mid-way through Spring Training, it's time for another go around. Not much has changed, but there are a couple of new guys that make the cut given injuries and roster moves that have transpired. My previous prediction listed Cody Bellinger, and now that the…

The 2023 Chicago Cubs didn't make the playoffs and since then they've had one of the most disappointing offseasons in Major League Baseball. Even with those two pieces of information Thomas Harrigan recently picked ten teams that can defy their playoff odds in 202 4 and the Cubs are at the very top of the list. Based on Fangraphs' projected…

On Monday, June 5, Juan Soto's San Diego Padres (27-32) host Nico Hoerner's Chicago Cubs (26-32) at PETCO Park. The first pitch will be thrown at 9:10 PM ET. The favored Padres have -175 moneyline odds to win against the underdog Cubs, who are listed at+145. San Diego is the favorite on the run line (-1.5 with+110 odds). A 9-run over/under is set…

With Spring Training games officially less than a week away, I still believe this Cubs roster is unfinished. The pitching may be done with additions, but the bigger question is who will earn the spots on the 26-man roster. The biggest question, however, is who the Cubs will still add to the lineup this offseason. Here's my 26-man roster prediction…

Another last-minute shopping opportunity if you have been slacking, Amazon has Valentine's Day treats here on a sale, and other Valentine's Day gift items here. #ad A particularly annoying byproduct of the offseason still being, like, active right now, is that I feel like I can't get into Spring Training Mode, and be all excited about what's coming…

My gut said the Chicago Cubs would be a consensus top-five farm system in baseball during this rankings cycle, and two data points just dropped consistent with that prediction. Baseball America has ranked the Cubs as having the fourth best farm system in baseball, behind the Orioles in the top spot, the Rangers in the third spot … and the Brewers…

I am going to absolutely shock you today with Cody Bellinger information: people are still predicting he winds up back with the Cubs, and also nobody expects it to happen soon. CRAZY, I KNOW! Still, if you're like me, you want to see/know everything possible. So I'm here for you. Checking the above-mentioned boxes, in economical fashion: Choosing a…

MLB RUMORS - I don't know where or when we first started talking about the concept of different offseason paths for the Cubs. But I do believe that's how a lot of front offices, and specifically the Cubs, operate. Not necessarily straight line paths, but certainly a situation where certain moves are possible or desirable only when other precursors…

The Chicago Cubs are set to make a significant addition to their pitching roster with the reported deal with Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga. As fans eagerly await his debut in the 2024 season, we turned to AI to predict the potential scenarios for Imanaga's performance, and the prophecy is sure to delight Chicago fans. AI envisioned an early adaption…

The Chicago Cubs appear to be on the verge of landing the next big free-agent starter to sign, with reports that they've agreed to terms with NPB left-hander Shota Imanaga on a contract. The Cubs barely missed the playoffs in 2023, and this would be their second biggest addition of the offseason after adding manager Craig Counsell, leaving them…

You know what? A year ago today I posted 5 bold predictions for the 2023 Cubs and, revisiting them in November, I did pretty well. All that did is make me more confident that I can do it again this year. That's probably misplaced confidence, but it's not going to stop me. I'm going to begin by repeating one of my predictions from last year. Last…

This week saw a variety of Chicago Cubs prospect-related predictions for the upcoming 2024 season, and I thought I would share some, while also throwing in a few of my own at the end, because why not? In his broader set of predictions for 2024, Sahadev Sharma had a whole lot to say about the farm system. His first is one that we're likely to hear a…

And just like that, the Christmas decorations are all put away. The Wife is an animal like that - wants to put them out as soon as possible in November, and then wants them away as soon as possible after Christmas passes. It was jarring in an impressive way: went to the gym and it was still Christmas, came back and it was suddenly a different…

When the Atlanta Braves (100-56) play the Chicago Cubs (82-74) at Truist Park on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:20 PM ET, Austin Riley will be looking for his 100th RBI of the season (he currently has 98). The favored Braves have -145 moneyline odds to win against the underdog Cubs, who are listed at+120. A 9.5-run total is set for this…

Not handing Cody Bellinger a $250 million contract is an easily defendable position if you're any big league team, really. Yes, he returned to form in 2023 with the Chicago Cubs, but in the two preceding years, he was one of the worst players in the sport. But in Mark Feinsand's latest piece at MLB.com, he answers an array of Bellinger-related…

The Chicago Cubs free agency frenzy moves forward as the team looks to build on a positive 2023 season. The Cubs just missed the playoffs, but stayed in the race nearly until the end. A lot of their success came from the resurgence of former league MVP Cody Bellinger, who was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year last season. Now,…

A Delaware legislative working group issued a report this month, supporting the need for competitive online sportsbooks. A Delaware legislative working group issued a report this month, supporting the need for competitive online sportsbooks. Delaware was the first state to legalize retail sports betting after the US Supreme Court lifted the ban in…

Looking over the remaining free agents, it seems plausible the Cubs can still have a great offseason this winter. One area of need that is a surefire bet to improve is the bullpen. Thankfully, a plethora of talent is available between closers and regular relievers in that market. Adbert Alzolay did great as the Cubs closer in 2023, but they will…

If the Chicago Cubs are going to make a major free-agent signing this off-season, it would seem that Cody Bellinger would be the only option. That's not to say that the Cubs will sign Bellinger. After missing out on Shohei Ohtani, the Toronto Blue Jays have been speculated to make a push for Bellinger and he may have been in Toronto this past…

The Chicago Cubs remain in the hunt for Shohei Ohtani and his potentially massive contract. Ohtani could play for any team he wants to, but only a few are left that are willing to pay the price that his market is dictating. Ohtani is not the only free agent out there generating traction with teams. There is still a big-name pitcher available who is…

Maybe it's the holiday season or just the fact there are no games being played, but the messages received for this mailbag are decidedly more positive - or at least less angry - than they were during the season. All those close, tense games really ramped up the fans. David Ross' managing was a hot-button topic, and falling just short of the…

A few weeks ago, I shared some thoughts on why the "concerns" about Cody Bellinger's free agency - the injury history, the down years, the poor batted ball metrics - either were, or were not, real and significant concerns going into his free agency. For me, the batted ball metrics were the big one. Kinda sounds like that's the case for at least…

White Sox general manager Chris Getz has said on multiple occasions that nobody on the roster is untouchable. But many have assumed that excludes Luis Robert Jr, who is coming off a career year in which he was named to his first All-Star team, took home a Silver Slugger Award and was a Gold Glove finalist. Robert figures to be the face of the…

After years of cajoling and insisting that I would love it, I finally gave in to many suggestions and watched'Dark' on Netflix. And yuuuppppp, I could instantly see why people kept recommending it to a nerd like me. It is unbelievably good. To be very clear to anyone who wants to check it out, you should know in advance that it's an extremely heavy…

It's another week here at BCB After Dark: the swingingest set for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We hope you've had a great last weekend as we head into the upcoming holiday weekend. As our present to you, there's no cover charge this evening. There are still a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. BCB After…

The Chicago Cubs have non-tendered Brandon Hughes, Codi Heuer, and Ethan Roberts, three relief pitchers who combined for just 13.2 big league innings pitched in 2023. - Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 18, 2023 All three men have become free agents and will be able to sign with any team they choose to move forward. All 13.2 of those innings were…

This series of Cubs prospect profiles is based on Fangraphs' top 52 prospects list, minus the players who have already been profiled. Generally, these will be of Triple-A and Double-A players that might see the 40-man roster at some point. I'm not necessarily doing them in order and will skip around a bit. Lefthander Bailey Horn is another guy…

Cody Bellinger outperformed even the loftiest expectations anyone in the Chicago Cubs organization had when they signed him to a one-year, $17.5 million offseason last winter, earning National League Comeback Player of the Year honors in the process. Even with his bounceback campaign, the Cubs missed the postseason for a third straight season. He…

The only gap as large as the variance in Cody Bellinger's performance over the last five seasons is the one between his projected price tags this winter. Some outlets have him signing for a reasonable $150M-$160M, while others come in as high as $264M. I guess that's what happens when a young, former MVP hits free agency with this sort of track…

Shohei Ohtani's odds of signing with the Chicago Cubs have surged at DraftKings. Los Angeles Dodgers remain the favorite, but the Cubs have seen the most betting action. Market odds are determined through research and monitoring Ohtani's interests and teams' needs.

The odds of Cody Bellinger returning to the Cubs were seemingly in decline from the moment Jed Hoyer giddily discussed the eventual Comeback Player of the Year's impact in Chicago. While it was never believed that super-agent Scott Boras would extend a hometown discount of sorts, it seemed like both sides felt like it was a perfect fit for 2023 and…

CHICAGO - The last time Craig Counsell sat, blazer and dress shirt donned, atop a dais and exchanged his sport coat for a baseball jersey, he spoke of a duty to steward baseball in his hometown. "I'm a Milwaukee Brewer," Counsell said on that spring morning from inside Miller Park. "I've always felt this way. Baseball in this city is important to…

Michael Arias - Picture by Todd Johnson At some point in the very near future, the Cubs will be announcing that they added either a player or players to the 40-man roster to avoid losing them in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, which is scheduled to take place next month. This is never an easy decision and a team can look at their picks one of two ways.…

With ludicrous numbers being thrown around when it comes to Cody Bellinger's possible contract in free agency, the Cubs need to have fallback options when it comes to reloading the offense and taking aim at returning to the top of the NL Central in 2024. One possible solution, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, could be a familiar face in…

Once Jed Hoyer made the dramatic decision to fire David Ross and make Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history, all eyes turned to the Chicago Cubs. Reports of their interest in the top free agents like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Cody Bellinger took off almost immediately (and don't figure to slow down anytime…

Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the raddest roadhouse for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Glad you could stop in on this lovely Wednesday evening. Come on in and out of the fall chill. We've still got a few tables available. Your name is on the guest list. Bring your own beverage. (I've got tea.) BCB After Dark is the…

legitimate! - in pursuing Shohei Ohtani this offseason, but maybe some tempering on expectations that they'll actually land him. Sahadev Sharma writes: "Hoyer had no comment on whether he'd meet with Shohei Ohtani's representatives this week, but a league source indicated they will be in on a player widely considered to be the biggest prize in this…

Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the swingingest set for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. It's our first official show of the offseason, and we're glad that you are sticking around after the baseball ends. Come on in out of the autumn chill. There's no cover charge this evening. We've still got a couple of good tables…

I am not quite stunned by this news, but I'm definitely on the heavy side of surprised. Contrary to almost all projections, Marcus Stroman has decided to opt out of his deal with the Chicago Cubs and head back to free agency: Stroman, 32, and his representatives must've used the last few days to put out feelers to determine whether there would be…

The Chicago Cubs have until Monday to decide whether or not they will exercise starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks' option for the 2024 season but it would seem likely that the team will take this weekend to attempt to sign Hendricks to a contract extension. When talking about a potential Hendricks' extension, it's important that the goal is not to…

In case you missed it yesterday, Brett wrote about the impending Cody Bellinger decision, following a really fascinating dive from Sahadev Sharma at The Athletic. In short, Sharma solicited the opinions of some anonymous scouts and hitting coaches to figure out what to make of Bellinger's great results but less-inspiring batted ball metrics last…

Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves will try to get to Marcus Stroman when he starts for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at 7:20 PM ET. The Braves are the favorite in this one, at -145, while the underdog Cubs have+120 odds to win. The total is 9.5 runs for this matchup. Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023 Time: 7:20 PM…

We were noting it as it happened from start to start, but I don't know that I ever really stepped back after the season ended to appreciate how Jameson Taillon turned his season around. The final numbers from his debut season with the Chicago Cubs were, of course, poor: 4.84 ERA (12% worse than league average), 4.61 FIP (6% worse than league…

Because it will have a dramatic impact on the Chicago Cubs' offseason plans - in the rotation and budgetarily - I am keeping close tabs on any indications on the Marcus Stroman and Kyle Hendricks option decisions. We wrote earlier about the considerations for each (Stroman here, Hendricks here), but the short version is that Stroman gets to decide…

It wouldn't be the offseason without speculation tying the Cubs to a Rays right-hander, right? Dominating our head space and the rumor mill in the same way Chris Archer did for years on end, Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow seems likely to be traded this winter - and Chicago could come calling. We're not going to dig into all the…

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tyrone Taylor head into the first of a three-game series against Nico Hoerner and the Chicago Cubs on Friday at American Family Field. The Cubs are -105 moneyline underdogs in this matchup against the favorite Brewers (-115). The total is 8.5 runs for the game (with -120 odds to go over and+100 odds to go…

Thursday's game features the Atlanta Braves (102-56) and the Chicago Cubs (82-76) clashing at Truist Park (on September 28) at 7:20 PM. This matchup, according to our computer prediction, will result in a 6-5 win for the Braves. The Braves will look to AJ Smith-Shawver (1-0) versus the Cubs and Marcus Stroman (10-8). When: Thursday, September 28,…

Saturday's game between the Milwaukee Brewers (91-69) and the Chicago Cubs (82-78) at American Family Field is expected to be a competitive matchup, as our computer prediction projects a final score of 5-4, with the Brewers taking home the win. First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET on September 30. The Cubs will give the nod to Jordan Wicks (4-1, 3.00 ERA),…

By all indications, it has nothing to do with job performance, but regardless, the Cubs' late-season collapse likely did Craig Driver and Chris Young no favors as, down the stretch, Chicago squandered postseason odds that sat in the low 90% range in early September. Both men have been with manager David Ross since he took the reins back in 2020,…

With the regular season in the books, we can now lay out the chalk MLB Draft order, and also discuss the lottery odds that could see the Chicago Cubs' pick move. The Cubs finished the season with the 14th best record, which would place them at pick 17, and, when it comes to the lottery, that's just about the worst place you can be. You didn't make…