Commentary: Cubs' aggression isn't unnoticed in free agency |
Anthony Pasquale
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- 4 hours ago
The Cubs have officially reported to Spring Training as they prepare for their season opener in Tokyo next month against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After losing out on the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, Jed Hoyer told the media, “My expectation is that the group we have now is really close to what we’re gonna go forward with.” A late addition of veteran Justin Turner on a one year contract with a buyout seems to round out the Cubs roster barring a trade. You could argue that this has been a good off-season for Hoyer and the company. The Cubs needed a star in their lineup and some bbackendbullpen help at the bare minimum — the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly in two separate trades that saw the Cubs retain Matt Shaw, Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara, James Triantos, Cade Horton and Moises Ballesteros. Those were the two marquee additions, but the Cubs also acquired catcher Carson Kelly, utility men Jon Berti, Gage Workman, and Vidal Brujan as well as pitching depth in Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, Ryan Brasier, Eli Morgan, Cody Poteet, Caleb Thielbar and reportedly Chris Flexen. However, the offseason had the potential to be much richer for the Cubs. Based on their pursuit of some available players, the Cubs understand they needed to do more this offseason. There was no trade for a big-time starting pitcher and no right-handed power hitter to pair with Tucker in the Cubs’ lineup. Rumors linked the Cubs with Corbin Burnes, Jack Flaherty, Pete Alonso, and Max Fried, but all four will be playing elsewhere in 2025. According to reports, the Cubs pursued aggressively but missed out on Tanner Scott, Alex Bregman, and Roki Sasaki. That trio of players clearly shows where the Cubs thought they could have improved more. A high-end starting pitcher, an elite backend bullpen arm, or a right-handed power hitter could’ve bolstered the Cubs’ playoff chances in 2025, but unfortunately, they finished short on all three. There wasn’t much they could’ve done with Sasaki, as he chose the Dodgers, but Scott (who also attended the Dodgers) and Bregman (who went to Boston) are interested in Chicago. Hoyer presented offers out of his typical comfort zone. For Scott, a reliever entering his age-31 season, the Cubs offered four years and 66 million dollars. Hoyer typically strays from offering multi-year contracts to aging relievers because of the volatility of bullpens — but the offer signaled the self-awareness of Hoyer and the hole at the backend of the bullpen that has lingered over the last two seasons. Despite Chicago being his “preferred destination,” Scott took four years and $72 million from the Dodgers. Bregman’s free agency lasted until last week. OInitiallyseeking a deal for 6 or 7 years and north of $200 million, Bregman and his agent Scott Boras instead set their sights on a high AAV, shorter-term deal — similar to what Cody Bellinger signed last offseason. The Cubs’ final offer to Bregman was four years with an average annual value near $30 million per year, which would immediately make Bregman the highest-paid Cub in 2025. Instead, the Red Sox aggressively acquired Bregman on a three-year contract worth $120 million with opt-outs. Perhaps it was wise for the Cubs not to go to $40 per year for potentially one year of Alex Bregman when they would forfeit a pair of draft picks for signing him — but the Cubs seemed to recognize how much stronger a proven right-handed power bat would make their lineup. There is no participation trophy in finishing second for top free agents. Still, the aggression Hoyer has displayed in these negotiations shows the knowledge of having a roster that could be improved. It makes you wonder. Did the Cubs “salary dump” Cody Bellinger too soon? Is it Hoyer’s reserve to overpay that prevents the Cubs from signing big free agents, or are they Tom Ricketts’ budget constraints? Do the Cubs have any more moves up their sleeves before opening day? Either way, the Cubs actions in these negotiations show the understanding that this offseason could have been stronger.
