A quiet begin to the offseason units up an necessary winter conferences for the Chicago Cubs.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer beforehand vowed to be aggressive in upgrading a 74-88 roster. But the Cubs’ strikes will in the end decide whether or not the group flexes its monetary flexibility. As major-league groups’ personnel arrived in San Diego forward of the offseason’s marquee gathering that runs by way of Wednesday, the Cubs have a possibility to reap the benefits of a division that seems devoid of a lot competitors.
The Cubs are anticipated to extend their spending from their 2022 payroll of $167,068,737, per Spotrac, which put them thirteenth within the league. They have a methods to go to surpass that degree with $124,310,000 at the moment on the books for 2023, in line with Cot’s Contracts; that features $22 million owed to Jason Heyward, who was launched final month.
Those payroll figures depart the Cubs loads of room to amass the kind of impactful expertise they should construct off final offseason’s most important additions of Seiya Suzuki and Marcus Stroman.
But will the Cubs be critical spenders? It’s one query, amongst others, that looms this week on the winter conferences.
1. Can they lock down one of many high free-agent shortstops?
The most blatant approach the Cubs can infuse extra expertise is thru signing one of many 4 standout free agent shortstops.
To what extent the Cubs are keen to commit future monetary sources will probably information who they most aggressively pursue amongst Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson. Correa, Turner and Bogaerts supply essentially the most constant offensive observe document and star energy, whereas Swanson’s protection and doubtlessly least expensive possibility makes him a sexy.
Bogaerts, 30, and Swanson, 28, have emerged as the main focus of the Cubs’ curiosity. Bogaerts’ offensive manufacturing — 133 OPS+ during the last 5 seasons in Boston — would offer a direct enhance to the lineup. Swanson presents a much bigger defensive improve on the place; pairing him with Nico Hoerner at second base might create a powerful pairing up the center. Although Swanson has posted an OPS+ over 100 solely twice in his final six seasons, the Cubs consider they’d be capable to faucet into extra manufacturing from his bat.
The Cubs can’t afford to whiff on buying a dynamic star hitter. They have so many holes to fill that addressing all the weaknesses will take a number of offseasons. The course of started final 12 months, and the entrance workplace nonetheless has loads of work forward.
The shortstop free-agent class presents a take a look at for whether or not the Cubs are keen to spend massive bucks in a market that has already proven an expensive price on the beginning pitching aspect.
2. How do the Cubs deal with heart subject?
Tapping into exterior choices stays an avenue for the Cubs at heart subject.
Injuries to high heart subject prospects Brennen Davis (stress response in his again) and Alexander Canario (surgical procedure on left ankle and left shoulder) created uncertainty as to how a lot the Cubs can realistically count on to depend on them subsequent 12 months. Canario faces a prolonged rehab course of. Davis’ lingering again issues are regarding.
Former 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger is an intriguing reclamation mission and short-term possibility. Bellinger doesn’t flip 28 till July and nonetheless offers stellar protection regardless of posting a .193/.256/.355 slash line and 64 OPS+ in 900 plate appearances during the last two years. Whichever groups indicators Bellinger should consider he’s keen and capable of implement the swing and method modifications essential to get him again on observe.
Improving in heart subject was a famous focus for Hoyer and the Cubs after the season.
Pete Crow-Armstrong appears to be like like the true deal after starring at High-A South Bend. But the earlier two months additionally served as a reminder as to how shortly long-term plans can go awry if accidents afflict high prospects. The Cubs ideally don’t need to block Crow-Armstrong, however prospects are simply prospects till they attain the majors and produce.
If the group extends Ian Happ, the Cubs might have the nook outfield spots locked in for the subsequent few years, leaving a balancing act for a way the purchase an outdoor improve in heart subject whereas sustaining some outfield flexibility.
3. Where do the Cubs discover pitching upgrades?
The beginning pitching market has ramped up up to now week, each on a much bigger and smaller scale.
Jacob deGrom turned the primary top-tier starter to signal after inking a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers. Zach Eflin (three years, $40 million with Tampa Bay Rays), Matthew Boyd (one 12 months, $10 million with Detroit Tigers), Mike Clevinger (one 12 months, $12 million with White Sox) and Kyle Gibson (one-year deal to Baltimore Orioles) all discovered new houses.
The Cubs have to complement their rotation. Should they choose to avoid the high-end prices that Carlos Rodón and Justin Verlander, specifically, are anticipated to command, the market is poised to nonetheless be strong with choices so as to add depth and upside. That won’t sound thrilling for Cubs followers supporting a crew that may use a high starter to pair with Stroman.
The group should discover dependable pitchers, each for the rotation and bullpen, that transcend doubtlessly commerce deadline flip items.
Starting pitcher accidents decimated the Cubs early within the 2022 season. They have to keep away from that state of affairs in 2023. It would require the Cubs to have interaction in a free-agent market that so far hasn’t precisely been low cost for the middle- to lower-tier decisions.
With their payroll room, that shouldn’t be a hindrance to bolstering the pitching employees.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com