Chicago Cubs 2026

#1,351      
Second place is 1st loser
bdutts said:
I’m guessing the loophole will be removed in the new CBA, much like it was in the NHL.
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You beat me to the punch. This is the rabbit hole the Dodgers are willing to go down with their entire roster. This will have to be shut down moving forward.

The biggest issue there will be that you can't retroactively change these deals that are signed, so the competitive advantage will continue until 2040, when these deals start peeling off.
 
#1,354      
champaignchris
Beware the various outlets mis-reporting one of the prospects going back as Tate Southisene (2025 1st round pick for the Braves) versus Ty Southisene (2024 4th round pick for the Cubs).

Tate is 19 years old, just got promoted to AA and is on his way to being a top 100 prospect. Ty is 20 and still in A ball.
 
#1,355      
KBLEE
KBLEE said:
I would like to see them add someone like Kevin Gausman. He hasn't been great this year, but he's been better of late. His main selling point is that he's an innings eater.
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Dakota Johnson Foreshadowing GIF by Madame Web
 
#1,356      
DRS
Warren Carter Fanclub said:
You shouldn't give up 2 runs a game in a 3 game series and lose 2 out of 3.
How can Nico not challenge that Ball 4 in the 7th??? I know I'll get a lot of pushback on this and I love Nico but that was just a case of way too much self-confidence thinking he'll get on even if the call wasn't right. Ok. Have at me.
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just a mistake, but one I can't believe he made. How he doesn't challenge there is beyond me. Really surprised.
 
#1,357      
DRS
So we run in to the team in the league with the best era and we are surprised we struggle...cubs offense is overrated now...ok...that seems logical.

This offense is simply rated, not over or under. It is built on patience, depth and PCA. It is not the best in the league but it is top 5. If with a mont long collective slump that I am not sure I have ever seen before they are putting up numbers.

Sorry, but if you going to freakout with the best staffs come to town and the team struggles to hit you have to sit back and remember what is going on. It was pretty obvious, particularly after the Warren game, the Yanks were going give us some issues. Long way to go, two more months.
 
#1,358      
Second place is 1st loser
EyeoftheIllini said:
Pretty much what I wrote on here earlier today except you left out an important piece — why would owners agree to a floor with no cap in place?
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I think they'll have to come up with a significant concession to get that agreed to. By changing the rules on contracts, money would be limiting the big market teams. To do that, the union isn't going to just sit there and take it. I think that raising the floor is a good concession because it does improve the game. Teams that can't roll a $100M team on the field have no business having a franchise. At the same time, if the deferrals are dumped, you reel the top 5 in a bit, which closes the gap between the haves and have nots. That's just healthy. It's the NFL's formula.

If we're saying that the owners won't concede on anything whatsoever, there won't be a 2027 season. Now, if they're ok locking this thing down and make it a war of attrition..... we'll end up with a game where scabs are an option.

I'm just not sure where else they can have a meeting of the minds where both sides can live with the outcome and save face.
 
#1,359      
Second place is 1st loser
DRS said:
So we run in to the team in the league with the best era and we are surprised we struggle...cubs offense is overrated now...ok...that seems logical.

This offense is simply rated, not over or under. It is built on patience, depth and PCA. It is not the best in the league but it is top 5. If with a mont long collective slump that I am not sure I have ever seen before they are putting up numbers.

Sorry, but if you going to freakout with the best staffs come to town and the team struggles to hit you have to sit back and remember what is going on. It was pretty obvious, particularly after the Warren game, the Yanks were going give us some issues. Long way to go, two more months.
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That doesn't account for the last two games vs the Cardinals and the fact that outside of PCA, Suzuki and Hoerner...... nobody can be counted on in the least bit. The Cubs 3, 4, 5 is amongst the worst in the league and Counsell refuses to break them up in the order.

Is anyone, outside of PCA or Suzuki, outperforming or even on par with their 2025 statistics?

Busch is way down, Bregman is way down, Happ is a complete joke, Hoerner is slowly coming back to what the back of his baseball says he is and Kelly/Amaya are down as a unit.

It is a boom or bust offense, which ultimately leads the overall numbers that look pretty good, but while scoring 12, 10, 9, 7, etc vs the Pirates is great and first two games vs the Cards ... scoring (not counting extras) 0, 2, 0, 5 and 1 in the last 5 is a problem.

Can't blame the pitching for losing 3 of the last 5.
 
#1,360      
Mr. Roberts
Second place is 1st loser said:
That doesn't account for the last two games vs the Cardinals and the fact that outside of PCA, Suzuki and Hoerner...... nobody can be counted on in the least bit. The Cubs 3, 4, 5 is amongst the worst in the league and Counsell refuses to break them up in the order.

Is anyone, outside of PCA or Suzuki, outperforming or even on par with their 2025 statistics?

Busch is way down, Bregman is way down, Happ is a complete joke, Hoerner is slowly coming back to what the back of his baseball says he is and Kelly/Amaya are down as a unit.

It is a boom or bust offense, which ultimately leads the overall numbers that look pretty good, but while scoring 12, 10, 9, 7, etc vs the Pirates is great and first two games vs the Cards ... scoring (not counting extras) 0, 2, 0, 5 and 1 in the last 5 is a problem.

Can't blame the pitching for losing 3 of the last 5.
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Bingo. This team has been missing the same thing for the last 5 years - a reliable, consistent run producer in the middle of the order. Somebody that gets 30+ HR and 100+ RBI year in and year out. We see so many rallies killed by the 3-4-5 spots. Happ is a 60 RBI guy despite being in the middle third of the order most of his career, yet still bats 4th or 5th. They tried Swanson - fail. They tried Kelly - fail. They tried Tucker - fail. They tried Bregman - fail. Busch is OK, but he is a supporting player, not "the guy". PCA is thriving in leadoff, so don't mess with that.

This is not a championship roster by any stretch. It is built to sneak into the playoffs and keep the stands full.

My humble opinion.
 
#1,361      
EyeoftheIllini
Trades coming fast and furious, but none involving the Cubs . . . yet. Toronto replaces Gausman with Jose Soriano. Looking at Angels return, trade doesn’t exactly support the Skubal to LAD/salary cap conspiracists. I think the compensation for Skubal is better than for Soriano with two years of team control. Other teams just weren’t interested in trading two top 100 guys for a rental no matter how great. Phillies going for it trading for rental Arraez and giving up one of the fastest rising pitching prospects this year. Reason to smile if you’re a Giants fan.
 
#1,362      
EllderIlliniFan
Second place is 1st loser said:
That doesn't account for the last two games vs the Cardinals and the fact that outside of PCA, Suzuki and Hoerner...... nobody can be counted on in the least bit. The Cubs 3, 4, 5 is amongst the worst in the league and Counsell refuses to break them up in the order.

Is anyone, outside of PCA or Suzuki, outperforming or even on par with their 2025 statistics?

Busch is way down, Bregman is way down, Happ is a complete joke, Hoerner is slowly coming back to what the back of his baseball says he is and Kelly/Amaya are down as a unit.

It is a boom or bust offense, which ultimately leads the overall numbers that look pretty good, but while scoring 12, 10, 9, 7, etc vs the Pirates is great and first two games vs the Cards ... scoring (not counting extras) 0, 2, 0, 5 and 1 in the last 5 is a problem.

Can't blame the pitching for losing 3 of the last 5.
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This is why success in the playoffs looks doubtful. When the Cubs go against the top pitchers the bats go silent. When you are facing the 1,2 or 3 pitcher for an opponent you need good pitching also and the ability to manufacture runs and hit with RISP.
 
#1,363      
Mr. Tibbs
EllderIlliniFan said:
This is why success in the playoffs looks doubtful. When the Cubs go against the top pitchers the bats go silent. When you are facing the 1,2 or 3 pitcher for an opponent you need good pitching also and the ability to manufacture runs and hit with RISP.
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they don’t have the horses to go beyond the wild card round without a lot of luck . that part is obvious
 
#1,365      
Emerson Bigguns
Reid Detmers incoming... no reports on what we are giving yet...

Another solid, if unspectacular starter. Controllable for the next 2 years. Entering his prime.

Our defense should help him.
 
#1,370      
bdutts
Looks like they acquired a relief pitcher from the Angels. Last name starts with a Z.
 
#1,372      
champaignchris
EyeoftheIllini said:
Gave up Long and Jace Beck.

I like the trade, but not sure how much he’ll help this year. Hasn’t been good. But has two more years of control.
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Guy was a top 100 prospect. Had a really good 2023, got hurt in 24, and has been struggling to make his way back since. His AAA number are good, but he’s been shelled in his 2 MLB appearances this year.

Looks more like a depth piece than someone who will be a big contributor this year.
 
#1,374      
champaignchris
Zeferjahn from the Angels for Mo Baller.

Nice bullpen piece with 3 years of team control. Lots of swing and miss stuff. Peripherals suggest his ERA is inflated with a bad defense behind him.
 
#1,375      
Mr. Tibbs
Cubs are trading Moises Ballesteros and Mason McGwire to the Angels for reliever Ryan Zeferjahn
 
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