When will the rest of the dominos fall for Cubs? |
It was very apparent when the Cubs reached the 2021 trade deadline that the Cubs were going to be focussing on the future. That July afternoon saw the Cubs part ways with a multitude of players.
Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees for Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Visciano Kris Bryant to the Giants for Alexander Canario and Caleb Killian Javier Baez and Trevor Williams to the Mets for Pete Crow Armstrong Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for Nick Madirgal and Codi Huer Joc Pederson to the Braves for Bryce Ball Ryan Tepera to the White Sox for Bailey Horn Jake Marisnick to the Padres for Anderson Espinosa Andrew Chafin to the A’s for Greg Deichman and Daniel Palencia As the offseason approached, the Cubs had more money to spend than in years past, so naturally, fans and the industry expected the Cubs to make some noise in free agency. So far, both pre and post lockout, the Cubs have signed: Marcus Stroman 3-years $71 million Wade Miley 1-year $10 million Yan Gomes 2-years $13 million Andrelton Simmons 1-year $4 million Chris Martin, 1-year $2.5 million Clint Frazier 1-year $1.5 million Michael Hermosillo 1- year $.6 million Seiya Suzuki 5-year $85 million Steven Brault, contract unknown David Robertson, 1-year contract While none of those moves — with the exception of Marcus Stroman and Seiya Suzuki — are expensive acquisitions or acquisitions that will impact the future all that much, the Cubs have been fairly active thus far. However, Cubs fans expect Jed Hoyer to continue to be active as free agency continues. In a press conference earlier this week, Hoyer made it clear that adding to the Cubs roster is a priority. Hoyer said he was certain that the Cubs were going to “add a lot more players.” Thus far in free agency, the Cubs have been linked to short stop Carlos Correa, first basemen Freddie Freeman as well as talked about with former Cubs Anthony Rizzo (Yankees), Javier Baez (Tigers), Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Nicholas Castellanos, Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler, Andrew Chafin and others. It appears there are a few priorities for the Chicago Cubs currently: staring pitching, a big offensive bat and a corner outfielder among other depth additions that we can expect. There are still plenty of free agents on the open market and a lot of time before the April 7th opening day, but Hoyer and the Cubs have some work to do if playoffs are a goal in 2022. It’s been frustrating for Cubs fans to see the team acting like a small market team with their baseball operation funds — all while their ownership group is pouring money into the stadium, political campaigns, the ballpark, a sports book and a soccer team but crying broke in terms of the product on the field. What might be even more frustrating is the fact that after selling off some of the best players the franchise has ever seen, and the Cubs now having the money to replenish and rebuild: not doing enough while there is plenty on the market.
