Chicago Cubs 2026

#276      
champaignchris
champaignchris said:
So, barring any more significant transactions or injuries, it looks like the opening day roster will be:

SP:
Boyd
Horton
Imanega
Cabrera
Taillon

With Steele hopefully becoming available before the ASB.

Closer:
Palencia

LHRP:
Thielbar
Milner

RHRP:
Maton
Webb
Harvey
Rea
And whichever of Brown and Assad looks better in Spring Training.

Starting lineup of:
C: Kelly/Amaya
1B: Busch
2B: Hoerner
3B: Bregman
SS: Swanson
LF: Happ
CF: Crow-Armstrong
RF: Suzuki
DH: Ballesteros

Bench:
Shaw
Austin
Whichever OF wins the battle between McCormick, Alcantara and Carlson.
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Brown is going to stick in the bullpen for opening day and Assad is headed to Iowa to stay stretched out as a starter.

With both Austin and Suzuki starting the season on the IL, it looks like all of Conforto, Carlson and Alcantara will start with the team Opening Day. I’d assume Alcantara will be the one sent down when Suzuki comes back in a couple weeks.

Other than Austin and Suzuki, Steele is the other prominent player starting on the IL.
 
#277      
ChiefGritty
champaignchris said:
With both Austin and Suzuki starting the season on the IL, it looks like all of Conforto, Carlson and Alcantara will start with the team Opening Day. I’d assume Alcantara will be the one sent down when Suzuki comes back in a couple weeks.
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Probably more likely there's some other move coming to grab a player that shakes loose elsewhere (utility infielder?)
 
#279      
suburbanILLINI
champaignchris said:
Jon Berti is available.
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No Way Randy GIF by Zack Kantor
 
#280      
Grandpa
Shota is 3-1 this spring. I realize that and $15 will get you a cup of coffee.

I remember when I was young the Cubs would try to win during Spring Training hoping to sell some tickets before the season started and people saw the team.
 
#282      
champaignchris
Alcántara to Iowa. Carlson and Conforto both to the big team. The final roster spot goes to… Scott Kingery… whose .678 spring training OPS is right there with his career .660 OPS over 344 games over 6 seasons with the Phillies and Angels.

I reiterate, only half sarcastically - Jon Berti is available.
 
#283      
Warren Carter Fanclub
champaignchris said:
Alcántara to Iowa. Carlson and Conforto both to the big team. The final roster spot goes to… Scott Kingery… whose .678 spring training OPS is right there with his career .660 OPS over 344 games over 6 seasons with the Phillies and Angels.

I reiterate, only half sarcastically - Jon Berti is available.
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Rumor has it that Miles Mastrobuoni can be pried away from the Mariners.
 
#286      
Second place is 1st loser
IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Passan reporting PCA extension is 6 years, $115 million. Deal begins in 2027 and does not include club option, which means he can become a free agent before age 31 season.
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Given there won't be baseball in 2027, does that count against his contract, reducing the amount of years? Actually, that goes for every major league contract.

I would HATE to be a free agent in 2027. The "new" season starts December 1st, which is when the lockout occurs. No negotiations.

This is going to be ugly.
 
#287      
Grandpa
champaignchris said:
Alcántara to Iowa. Carlson and Conforto both to the big team. The final roster spot goes to… Scott Kingery… whose .678 spring training OPS is right there with his career .660 OPS over 344 games over 6 seasons with the Phillies and Angels.

I reiterate, only half sarcastically - Jon Berti is available.
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www.mlbtraderumors.com

Mike Tauchman To Undergo Surgery After Meniscus Tear

A veteran outfielder who was likely to be a part of the Mets' Opening Day roster is now facing surgery. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.
www.mlbtraderumors.com www.mlbtraderumors.com

Tauchman is an injured Met. We should have kept him
 
#288      
MikeTisdale
Second place is 1st loser said:
Given there won't be baseball in 2027, does that count against his contract, reducing the amount of years? Actually, that goes for every major league contract.

I would HATE to be a free agent in 2027. The "new" season starts December 1st, which is when the lockout occurs. No negotiations.

This is going to be ugly.
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According to Fangraph's display of this new extension, he's making $10.5MM in 2027.

So in theoretical lockout that lasts all of 2027 but then play resumes 2028, he does not get paid $10.5MM in 2027 (unless part of that is a signing bonus, those still get paid), and pay would resume with his $10.5MM in 2028. Nothing else about the contract changes - still goes through 2032 and then ends.
 
#289      
ChiefGritty
MikeTisdale said:
According to Fangraph's display of this new extension, he's making $10.5MM in 2027.

So in theoretical lockout that lasts all of 2027 but then play resumes 2028, he does not get paid $10.5MM in 2027 (unless part of that is a signing bonus, those still get paid), and pay would resume with his $10.5MM in 2028. Nothing else about the contract changes - still goes through 2032 and then ends.
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It's honestly insane that even with this extension he's making under $1 million this year. (He got $1.2 million in pre-arb bonus pool money last year and will surely make some this year too, but still).

The headline issue in the inevitable lockout is going to be a salary cap, and that's a big and important thing (which in addition to being an affront to labor rights and bad for the product would be TERRIBLE for the Cubs competitively and a financial dream for the Ricketts Family), but it's really just nuts how screwed up the relationship between player value and salary has gotten in baseball's janky, weird system.

Dylan Carlson's salary is more than twice PCA's this year.
 
#290      
Illiniaaron
ChiefGritty said:
It's honestly insane that even with this extension he's making under $1 million this year. (He got $1.2 million in pre-arb bonus pool money last year and will surely make some this year too, but still).

The headline issue in the inevitable lockout is going to be a salary cap, and that's a big and important thing (which in addition to being an affront to labor rights and bad for the product would be TERRIBLE for the Cubs competitively and a financial dream for the Ricketts Family), but it's really just nuts how screwed up the relationship between player value and salary has gotten in baseball's janky, weird system.

Dylan Carlson's salary is more than twice PCA's this year.
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Busch also getting paid only around $820,000 this year. Possibly getting 60 homers and 180-190 rbi's between him and PCA for around $1.65 million this year.
 
#291      
KBLEE
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Today's starting lineup.

I hate Nico batting 5th. If I'm the manager, he hits 2nd, Bregman hits 3rd and Happ slides down.
 
#297      
suburbanILLINI
I don't want to see Ben Brown pitch in any game that isn't a blowout. Year after year he looks good in Spring Training and when the lights actually turn on, he completely wilts
 
#300      
Grandpa
bdutts said:
Cubs sign Hoerner to a 6 year extension.
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That had me worried. Nico is the bomb! He is all that and a bag of chips!

You feel good with him at second base. His defense makes up for 15 more homers, 70 more strikeouts, and 60 points lower BA that a slugger would give us.
 
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