Chicago Cubs 2026
I'm pretty certain that the Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker with the objective of signing him long term, but he simply did not perform, at least not good enough to justify investing so much money for so many years in him. I'm glad they're smart enough to make such decision.
Ultimately, it seems many people are simply pissed at the Ricketts because ... I don't know ... they didn't say the right thing or at least did not say what they wanted to say correctly. I keep asking for actual examples of players that the Cubs should've pursued and gotten the last couple of years (after the rebuild), and I'm hearing nothing really. So, it seems many people just want to be angry to be angry.
Regarding Imai, as evidenced by his contract (with an opt out option every year), either many teams had their concerns about him, or he did not want to commit anywhere long term (given the uncertainty with labor issues). At any rate, I can't fault the Cubs for being weary of sinking too much money into unproven commodity--just because he was dominant in Japan, it does not ensure that he'd have similar success in the MLB.
OK You win. The Cubs should stand pat, finish 10 games behind Milwaukee and Ricketts should take the money below the cap he saved and build another hotel next to Wrigley.
I’ve stayed at that hotel as birthday present from my amazing wife. We had a blast!
Let's also remember the context of that move. It allowed them to move Bellinger and freed up payroll to pursue pitching or a 3B. But lo and behold, they did not spend that money and did just enough instead of going all out and pocketed the money saved when they dumped Bellinger.
I may be jaded, but I don't think the Cubs were going to sign Tucker at a market rate. They may have hoped for a magical year, or for Tucker to fall in love with playing at Wrigley and give a discount to return, but neither were realistic. Once they did not extend him after the trade it was clear this was a rental.
According to this one the Cubs make the 4th most and spend the 10th most.
I also rest my case!
Let's see. If you're just looking at free agents: Alex Bregman, Corbin Burnes, Jack Flaherty, Nathan Eovaldi, Max Fried, Tanner Scott, Clay Holmes. That's only a small list. Could also list Blake Snell, Nick Pivetta, Sean Manaea, etc.
The Cubs absolutely needed another starter last year, especially after the trade for Tucker. It was borderline malpractice by both Ricketts and Hoyer that they didn't get one before the season and then stood pat at the deadline. They wasted the one year of Tucker that was all they were ever going to get.
You're old like me! Those were '50s big hopes! At least Moe starred in a world series... for the Orioles!
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I am not angry with Ricketts, just disappointed. He owns a major market team in a division with only small market teams and he runs his team like a small market team. Unfortunately, he can't do it as well as the Brewers or the Cardinals of the past 20 years (although they haven't been very good recently). The Cubs should be owning this division because they can spend more than the other teams and while he probably does spend more, he doesn't spend enough. If the breakeven point is really 290M, he should be spending above the 241M tax threshold 2 of every 3 years.
You said it yourself; the Cubs were near the top in payroll 2016-2020. It's no coincidence that they won the WS in 2016 and were in the playoffs after that. I checked in 2015 when they went to the NLCS and they were 12 or 13. There is no denying that the teams that spend more money have a better chance at qualifying for the playoffs. Look at the Dodgers: their tax bill of 150M is larger than the payroll of 10 of the MLB teams (33%)! When is the last time they were not in the top 10? When is the last time they didn't qualify for the playoffs?
Regarding the list: Someone else provided a good rundown of targets. After the 2022 season, there were 4 name shortstops available. One could argue the Cubs settled for the 4th best of the four. Could have also qualified Schwarber when he was up for a QO but I understand why they didn't. Turned out to be a bad move. Still could have signed him this year. Wonder if they even made an offer...
Someone else said it already and I agree: They traded for Tucker, hoping he'd fall in love with the city and the fans and with being a member of the Cubs and thus give a hometown discount. There is a non-zero chance it could happen but not much more than zero.
I get that Ricketts has a budget; all teams do. But his budget is way below what his revenue suggests it could be or perhaps should be. And that's what's disappointing to me. Unless they start turning into the Brewers or the Rays with their talent evaluation or unless they start spending more money, they'll be a wild card team at best. Again, disappointing.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Rick Reuschel is still alive.
How about Paul?
I was about 10 and happened to be at the first game he pitched as a rookie in like June (1972 or so)
wanna say he hit a double in his first at bat
dude could throw and hit . pretty sure he was used as a pitch hitter on occasion .
The whale and baby whale
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
According to Wikipedia
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I can remember him used as a pinch runner also in extra inning games. That was the beginning of my Cubs fandom, my earliest memories are of the ‘77 season when I was 8. I love how the pitchers from that era could hit. In 1971 Fergie Jenkins hit .243 with six homers and 20 RBI’s for the Cubs.
Long article, but writer covers a good amount of prospects, some of which I wasn’t familiar.
Why did I think this was done in mid-December?
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Based on his annual WAR, he has never been a Top 20 player. He's generally in the #30-#40 space. The closest he has come tot the Top 20 was #26 in 2023. He was underwhelming last year. He'll be 29 soon, so it is unclear whether his best years are ahead of him, or already past. He's not worth what he is going to be demanding IMO.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Cubs signing Edward Cabrera
KBLEE
- Montgomery, IL
Still waiting to see what we have given up...
Caissie will be part of it most likely. Wonder who else?
He's cheap so still can sign a big bat.
Not a signing. A trade. Apparently Owen Caissie is a part of the deal, which doesn’t bother me too much. Curious to see what else if anything they give up.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Who's playing right field for the Cubs next year? Bellinger?