Ten Takeaways from the 2025 Cubs Convention |
Every year, the Cubs convention brings plenty of storylines for those who follow the Cubs as closely as we do.
So, let’s take a look at some of the takeaways from the 39th annual Cubs Convention this past weekend: 10. Seiya Suzuki is on board to DH “a lot” In a discussion with Craig Counsell at the Cubs Convention, Craig Counsell revealed that the regular outfield plan will consist of Ian Happ in left, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center and the newly acquired Kyle Tucker in right with Seiya Suzuki factoring into the picture primarily as a DH. This is the most logical makeup of the Cubs four outfielders, but rumors that Suzuki would want to be traded instead of DH-ing have been debunked. 9. Kyle Tucker will wear No. 30, Craig Counsell will wear No. 11 The Cubs’ big-ticket move from the offseason was a trade with the Houston Astros that acquired a bonafide All-Star in Kyle Tucker. When he was announced at the Cubs Convention, he was wearing No. 30, the same number Craig Counsell wore last season in his opening campaign. Counsell was announced to be wearing No. 11, which he chose to honor one of his former managers, Jim Leyland. ICYMI: Counsell says you are getting an "absolute force" in Kyle Tucker https://t.co/yYcjf8o4ye 8. Ben Brown, Nico Hoerner and Cade Horton appear to be trending upwards health wise Without any official updates, Ben Brown, Nico Hoerner, and Cade Horton are trending in the right direction in terms of health. All three faced some injuries last season. Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins expects Hoerner to do whatever he can to be ready by Opening Day. As for Ben Brown, he spoke at the “On the mound” panel and looked healthy. He has started his throwing program and confirmed that he will have separate walk-out songs for when he starts and when he comes out of the bullpen. Cade Horton also mentioned that he hopes to get a “seat on the plane” with the big league club this year. 7. Matt Shaw will play a major factor in the third base picture It appears unlikely that the Cubs will splurge for a third baseman of Alex Bregman’s caliber. At the baseball operations update, Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins expressed about Matt Shaw that “He’s really performed in the minor leagues. He’s an incredible worker.” The Cubs brass essentially said Matt Shaw would be given the runway to win the third base position in Spring Training, but Jed Hoyer mentioned wanting to acquire a “safety net” for Shaw as he gets set for his rookie season. 6. Tom Ricketts cries poor in tone-deaf rant Talking with 670 TheScore, Tom Ricketts said, “They [the fans] think somehow we have all these dollars that the Dodgers have or the Mets have or the Yankees have,e and we just keep it, which isn't true at all. What happens is we try to break even every year, and that's about it." However, the Cubs had a revenue of over 500 million dollars last year, good for 3rd in MLB. However, their projected 2025 payroll is just 10th in the league. Something isn’t adding up. Ricketts's comments seem insulting to Cubs fans, who have to pay for a television network and the highest fan experience price in baseball to see the team. Meanwhile, Ricketts owns the land outside of Wrigley, restaurants, hotels, and SportsBooks, and it hosts college football games, hockey games, and concerts at Wrigley Field. The #Cubs are baseball's fourth-richest team but have drawn criticism for not spending like a big-market club. https://t.co/YtTgM7g2Yd 5. Jed Hoyer confirms that Cubs “are not done” The Cubs Convention is typically the time of the year when fans begin to set their sights on the following season. Anticipation builds as spring training approaches and the new roster comes into form. However, Jed Hoyer confirmed that the Cubs roster in 2025 will look different than it currently stands. While the main focus of the Cubs will be to acquire bullpen and bench pieces, trading for a starting pitcher is not out of the question either. Either way, Hoyer and the Cubs brass confirmed there is still work to be done. 4. Cubs new “Blues” alternate uniforms are a huge hit On Thursday night, the Cubs started the Cubs Convention early by announcing the debut of a new alternate uniform in 2025. The Cubs will be wearing the baby blue color in their rotation for the first time since 1981, and the jerseys have deep roots in the city of Chicago and the origin of Blues music in Chicago. The logo resembles a guitar pick, the C in Cubs features a 6-point Chicago star, the socks say “Sweet Home Chicago” on them, and the jerseys were flying off the shelf at Cubs Con. The new Blue Alternate uniform will make its major league debut on Saturday, April 5. https://t.co/iFzUyRz1T8 3. Derrek Lee and Sammy Sosa to be inducted into Cubs Hall of Fame in 2025 As has been a tradition over the last few years, Friday night of the Cubs Convention features the announcement of who will join the Cubs Hall of Fame the following season. With Sammy Sosa’s announced appearance at the Cubs Convention, it was reasonably assumed that the Cubs’ All-Time home run leader and a guy who places near the top in Cubs history in most statistics that induction into the Cubs Hall of Fame was deserved. Joining Sammy in the Cubs Hall of Fame will be Derrek Lee, a fan favorite during his time in Chicago and a staple of the 2007-2008 Cubs, who returned to the playoffs. Lee was a two-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove winner, and he won the 2005 batting title. Right where they belong. 💙 pic.twitter.com/KOQlbScaj3 2. Cubs fans still love Sammy and Sammy loves Cubs fans One of the most anticipated parts of the Cubs Convention was Sammy Sosa's return to the Cubs family. Sosa was introduced, and the moment exceeded expectations. Sosa was always a performer, and he entered the stage holding an American flag, mimicking perhaps his most memorable moment in Chicago: bringing an American flag onto the field in the Cubs’ first home game after 9/11 in 2001. The applause was warranted and well deserved, and Sosa spent the weekend sparking an old love affair with Cubs fans. Chicago #Cubs legend Sammy Sosa made his long-awaited return to Chicago on Friday night. https://t.co/KTbql3p5Hg 1. Ryne Sandberg raucous ovations by Cubs fans Perhaps the best moment of the Cubs Convention was when the living Cubs legend was welcomed to the stage with an ovation that towered over the rest of the weekend. Sandberg had recently announced that his cancer had returned and spread — and the fans seemed to pour all of their love for the epic career Sandberg had into one long ovation that told Sandberg that we were rooting and praying for him. Sandberg told Cole Wright that Cubs fans are the 'best medicine' for him. Drop a “💙” in the comments for our Ryno. pic.twitter.com/4LSCYIw8eC
