••• 2026 Official Chicago Cubs Thread •••

@CYdTracked said it was time.

Saw a blog today on YouTube saying Shota. Alcantara and Wiggins have been the biggest surprises thus far in Mesa. Imanaga and the Jaguar are fully healthy and Wiggins is touching 100.
Wiggins upside is big time. If he can stay healthy and improve the walk rate further, he'll fly up the top prospect lists.
 
This is the first time in a while I've been pretty excited about the potential this team has coming into a season. The past several years there's always been big question marks with some aspect of the roster and a lack of moves in the offseason to build a more complete roster than can compete. With the Bregman and Cabrera moves they finally filled 2 long standing needs and they did a nice job building the bullpen too. If there is any areas you can point to as possible questions it may be if Palencia can be that dominant closer or should they have gone out and signed or traded for one. If that becomes a position of concern can always acquire a closer at the deadline. The other is what will the bench look like. Already know Shaw will be part of that as will whoever is not starting at catcher between Amaya and Kelly. Tyler Austin likely will be too unless he just totally stinks in spring training. Can Alcantara earn the backup OF spot or do they sign someone or have a surprise non-roster guy in camp that beats him out? These aren't bad problems to have really, it's nice to be debating the very fringe part of the roster for a change instead of concerned about big holes in the lineup or pitching staff that were not addressed before the season. And when Steele is healthy again probably have some conversations on the rotation too if everyone stays healthy and productive.
 
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This is the first time in a while I've been pretty excited about the potential this team has coming into a season. The past several years there's always been big question marks with some aspect of the roster and a lack of moves in the offseason to build a more complete roster than can compete. With the Bregman and Cabrera moves they finally filled 2 long standing needs and they did a nice job building the bullpen too. If there is any areas you can point to as possible questions it may be if Palencia can be that dominant closer or should they have gone out and signed or traded for one. If that becomes a position of concern can always acquire a closer at the deadline. The other is what will the bench look like. Already know Shaw will be part of that as will whoever is not starting at catcher between Amaya and Kelly. Tyler Austin likely will be too unless he just totally stinks in spring training. Can Alcantara earn the backup OF spot or do they sign someone or have a surprise non-roster guy in camp that beats him out? These aren't bad problems to have really, it's nice to be debating the very fringe part of the roster for a change instead of concerned about big holes in the lineup or pitching staff that were not addressed before the season. And when Steele is healthy again probably have some conversations on the rotation too if everyone stays healthy and productive.
With so many guys in contact years I think it’s important that guys like Alcantara, Shaw Ballestareos Long and even Traintos show if they can fill a roster spot.

If Rea and Kelly remain productive I think they are no brainers to resign. Hopefully we can keep Hoerner Suzuki and one of the starters. Because if those young guys can hang we’d have about $60 mil ( Happ and two starters) to spend on the ultimate top of the rotation guy in 27.
 
With so many guys in contact years I think it’s important that guys like Alcantara, Shaw Ballestareos Long and even Traintos show if they can fill a roster spot.

If Rea and Kelly remain productive I think they are no brainers to resign. Hopefully we can keep Hoerner Suzuki and one of the starters. Because if those young guys can hang we’d have about $60 mil ( Happ and two starters) to spend on the ultimate top of the rotation guy in 27.

Agree would be nice to see those guys take a step forward in their development and add some bench depth this year. As far as 2027 goes I am not looking that far ahead yet and hoping we make a good run at it this season. I think the CBA is going to be messy and likely have a long lockout and it possibly drags into part of the 2027 season being canceled if the owners really dig in on wanting a salary cap. The players are not for it and once there is a cap it won't go away so that is going to be a really big sticking point in the negotiations I think. If the owners are able to get a cap the concession will likely be a higher minimum salary and a higher floor teams must spend. The rumor is a $160 mil floor which if that is the case just 15 of the 30 teams met that last year with the bottom 5 teams not even breaking $100 mil. Even the "poorest" of teams still generated enough revenue to cover that figure:

MLB teams revenue versus payroll - Twinstrivia.com
 
Agree would be nice to see those guys take a step forward in their development and add some bench depth this year. As far as 2027 goes I am not looking that far ahead yet and hoping we make a good run at it this season. I think the CBA is going to be messy and likely have a long lockout and it possibly drags into part of the 2027 season being canceled if the owners really dig in on wanting a salary cap. The players are not for it and once there is a cap it won't go away so that is going to be a really big sticking point in the negotiations I think. If the owners are able to get a cap the concession will likely be a higher minimum salary and a higher floor teams must spend. The rumor is a $160 mil floor which if that is the case just 15 of the 30 teams met that last year with the bottom 5 teams not even breaking $100 mil. Even the "poorest" of teams still generated enough revenue to cover that figure:

MLB teams revenue versus payroll - Twinstrivia.com
If we get a salary cap they need to do away with the small market competitive advantages.
 
Let me be the first to post a sky is falling post for 2026.

Cubs looked inept getting blown out by the lowly White Sox 8-1 today. Can't hit and pitching aweful- Tailon gives up 4 runs in 1.2 innings and Hodge 2 runs in .1 innings. Did I mention complete FO failure this off-season:rolleyes:

On a serious note, stoked that spring training games have started. Plan on catching a game next Friday- feels like Christmas time as a kid!!!
 
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The Conforto signing gives us a little L/R balance off the bench. Hopefully he can have a bounce back year.
I think it’s a good low risk signing. Much better than having Turner on the bench like last season who gave just about nothing other than being a good teammate.
 
That doesn't bode well for Alcantara making the open day roster. Not a bad signing but not one that is going to move the needle too much for season outlook other than some possible upside as a bench upgrade.

Another interesting recent move is the Cowles DFA as it sounds like they may not put Steele on the 60 day IL. Not that I care that Cowles is gone as he was probably going to be DFA at some point anyways. It's more about if they think Steele is going to be ready sooner than later. I don't see a reason to rush him given the SP depth we have now but sounds like he is progressing pretty well so far. That will be something to keep an eye on if stays on the 15 day IL to start the season.
 
That doesn't bode well for Alcantara making the open day roster. Not a bad signing but not one that is going to move the needle too much for season outlook other than some possible upside as a bench upgrade.

Another interesting recent move is the Cowles DFA as it sounds like they may not put Steele on the 60 day IL. Not that I care that Cowles is gone as he was probably going to be DFA at some point anyways. It's more about if they think Steele is going to be ready sooner than later. I don't see a reason to rush him given the SP depth we have now but sounds like he is progressing pretty well so far. That will be something to keep an eye on if stays on the 15 day IL to start the season.
I wonder if the Cowles DFA has something to do with Traintos. He’s gotten a lot of early time I believe.
 
Count me in the camp that thinks Alcantara needs more time to develop in AAA. Hopefully he rakes in the first half and it's a no brainer to bring him up. Going to need him if anyone gets hurt.