Cubs projected as favorite for two-time All-Star |
You could make the case that this is not only the most boring part of the offseason but also the most annoying part. Credit the constant rumor mill as the biggest reason for that, as we are officially in rumor season. Despite the MLB offseason officially underway, there won't be much movement over the next month or so as every team must first take care of their own free agents before signing players on the open market.
If someone wanted someone bad enough, I'm sure a deal or a trade would take place, but you typically don't see much action until after Thanksgiving. That said, it gives us a ton of time to look at the open market and evaluate what the Cubs could and should do to get back into the Playoffs in 2025. The Cubs lack three key things when you look at their current roster. At the top of the list should be a dominating closer, as the Cubs blew a league-worst 28 saves last season and 43 games in total. Second on their list is a power bat they can put in the middle of the lineup. Cody Bellinger opting into his deal could help, but he hasn't produced at the level he previously did and isn't considered an elite power bat. Third on the Cubs' list is adding another starting pitcher to pair with Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, as the Cubs need at least one more bonafide starter. Some argue that they don't need anymore starting pitching as they had one of the best and most consistent starting staffs in baseball with Imanaga, Steele and Jameson Taillon all putting together great years. Steele and Imanaga should be fine going forward, but Imanaga was a rookie last season, and he could have a down year should the league adjust to him. Taillon had a horrific 2023 season with the Cubs and bounced back last year. Still, if he is your No. 3 starter, you're asking for trouble as he is better suited as a solid No. 4. If the Cubs plan is to add another Ace or front-of-the-line starter, there are plenty of names available with all of them headlined by Corbin Burnes or Roki Sasaki. Burnes makes a ton of sense due to his familiarity with Craig Counsell, but with a projected contract north of 200 million, that would be out of the Cubs' price range, as it does appear his market is higher than it should be. Sasaki would be an amazing addition to this rotation, but knowing what we know about him, his market is going to be insane, and he will take his time deciding where his future will take him. Even if those two are off the board, there is one guy who, the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Multiple reports suggest that Max Fried and the Cubs are a likely match this offseason. When you look at Fried, there is a lot to like about the 31-year-old, and you can see why the Cubs would have an interest in him. Sure, he may not have the Cy Young awards like Blake Snell, Shane Bieber, or Burnes, but Fried is about as consistent of a pitcher as you can be and is no stranger to pitching in big games. Fried has twice finished in the top five in Cy Young voting, including a runner-up finish in 2022. With an ERA of 3.25 or below in the past five seasons, Fried is a lock to give you an ERA in low 3s to high 2s, which is all you can ask for from a starter. When you look at his past five seasons, combining 112 starts, you will notice that he did miss some time with injuries, but that hasn't stopped him from being an elite talent on the mound. He has posted a combined 2.81 ERA over those 112 starts. What makes Fried so successful is his ability to change speeds, with a fastball averaging 93-94 MPH and topping out at 96. Pair that with a nasty breaking ball and an improving changeup, and Fried has an excellent three-pitch mix that he relies on heavily. Fried does have three additional pitches that he seldom uses, but that could change as he gets deeper into his MLB career. Some think he could end up being another Jon Lester-type arm. While all of this looks good and seems like the perfect match for the Cubs, it all comes down to the dollar amount, which, let me tell you, is a perfect match for the Cubs. In an age where players and starting pitchers are making more money, Fried is expected to get paid, but not at the level you would think when you look at his success. Early reports expect him to land a contract in the five—or six-year range for 156 million dollars. That translates to 26 million per year, and that is a bargain for a starter of his caliber. Adding him to the Cubs' rotation would not only give the Cubs one of the best top-3 combinations in the game, but if Taillon can repeat 2025 like 2024, they would have as strong a top-4 as anyone. The real concern with adding Fried would be having three lefties at the top of your rotation and potentially four in the rotation should Jordan Wicks earn the No. 5 spot. It's a good problem to have, especially come the postseason, as the Dodgers have historically struggled to hit lefties. This is just one of the many rumors surrounding the Cubs this offseason, but it makes the most sense for many Cubs' thoughts.
