*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***

[isucy86]

In addition to Tucker being a FA after this season, Suzuki and Happ are FA after 2026. Ideally, the Cubs top OF prospect after this off-season would get 150 PA in Chicago during the 2026 season.

At this point I wouldn't resign Happ for his current $20M salary. He's not a bad player if he was batting in the 7/8/9 spots and paid around $12M.

 

[CYdTracked]

In addition to Tucker being a FA after this season, Suzuki and Happ are FA after 2026. Ideally, the Cubs top OF prospect after this off-season would get 150 PA in Chicago during the 2026 season.

At this point I wouldn't resign Happ for his current $20M salary. He's not a bad player if he was batting in the 7/8/9 spots and paid around $12M.

If we make a significant trade at the deadline Alcantara or Caissie will likely be part of the package I bet. Caissie is about as high of trade value as he's ever going to be right now and there is no room for him to get meaningful PA in Chicago this year and possibly even next year if they are able to resign Tucker. It's a good problem to have when you are in contention right now, some of your top prospects are blocked this year and next in Chicago and are playing well in AAA that you trade someone for one of the missing pieces now or you hold and either use them to fill a void next season or use in an offseason trade.

 

[isucy86]

If we make a significant trade at the deadline Alcantara or Caissie will likely be part of the package I bet. Caissie is about as high of trade value as he's ever going to be right now and there is no room for him to get meaningful PA in Chicago this year and possibly even next year if they are able to resign Tucker. It's a good problem to have when you are in contention right now, some of your top prospects are blocked this year and next in Chicago and are playing well in AAA that you trade someone for one of the missing pieces now or you hold and either use them to fill a void next season or use in an offseason trade.

IMO even if Tucker is re-signed, the Cubs need to get their top OF prospect major league experience in 2026. One path would be convincing Happ or Suzuki to platoon at 1B. In 2025 Busch is hitting .308 against RH pitchers and .208 against LH pitchers. IMO Suzuki has to question not getting an All-Star invite because he's predominately a DH. His FA value after 2026 will be higher if he has position flexibility: RF, LF, 1B & DH

I understand people wanting to give Busch more AB's against lefties to improve, but it's equally important to develop prospects.

 

[RoseClone]

Baseball is back today with a day game against the Red Sox in beautiful Wrigley Field and the
I-Cubs tonight at Principal Park. Weather looks great for both.....Whoo hoo.

 

[RivClone23]

IMO even if Tucker is re-signed, the Cubs need to get their top OF prospect major league experience in 2026. One path would be convincing Happ or Suzuki to platoon at 1B. In 2025 Busch is hitting .308 against RH pitchers and .208 against LH pitchers. IMO Suzuki has to question not getting an All-Star invite because he's predominately a DH. His FA value after 2026 will be higher if he has position flexibility: RF, LF, 1B & DH

I understand people wanting to give Busch more AB's against lefties to improve, but it's equally important to develop prospects.

I understand the want/need to get these guys big league at bats, but if you resign Tucker then 2/3 of your outfield is set for the next 5 years and 2026 is another surefire contending year. And if you don't resign him it works itself out that way.

It's not the end of the world if Caissie and/or Alcantara don't get full time at bats until 2027, which will only be their age 24 seasons anyway. They'll fill in as needed and almost certainly one would be traded in this scenario.

I wouldn't hold my breath on Happ or Suzuki playing 1st base.

Edit: This kind of stuff happens on good teams sometimes. See: Michael Busch with the Dodgers.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Seiya has never played infield in his life, I don't think his age 31 season when you've got a GG caliber guy there is the time to start.

I think it's also time to start having extension talks with him. His profile is going to age really well and he has to see what playing less in the outfield has done for his production.

 

[Cyforce]

If we make a significant trade at the deadline Alcantara or Caissie will likely be part of the package I bet. Caissie is about as high of trade value as he's ever going to be right now and there is no room for him to get meaningful PA in Chicago this year and possibly even next year if they are able to resign Tucker. It's a good problem to have when you are in contention right now, some of your top prospects are blocked this year and next in Chicago and are playing well in AAA that you trade someone for one of the missing pieces now or you hold and either use them to fill a void next season or use in an offseason trade.

Caissie is worth multiple rentals

 

[Cyforce]

I understand the want/need to get these guys big league at bats, but if you resign Tucker then 2/3 of your outfield is set for the next 5 years and 2026 is another surefire contending year. And if you don't resign him it works itself out that way.

It's not the end of the world if Caissie and/or Alcantara don't get full time at bats until 2027, which will only be their age 24 seasons anyway. They'll fill in as needed and almost certainly one would be traded in this scenario.

I wouldn't hold my breath on Happ or Suzuki playing 1st base.

Edit: This kind of stuff happens on good teams sometimes. See: Michael Busch with the Dodgers.

If we can resign Tucker I think we still try to extend Seya. I think you can get a bit of a hometown discount because of him being comfortable and not wanting to adjust again. Plus his defense has been pretty solid enough to be your everyday Leftfielder.

 

[psychlone99]

Just landed in Chicago to hang out with some old ISU roommates and watch Shota take on a rookie tomorrow night. Hoping the rain holds off so we can fully enjoy our evening in Wrigley!

 

[RivClone23]

If we can resign Tucker I think we still try to extend Seya. I think you can get a bit of a hometown discount because of him being comfortable and not wanting to adjust again. Plus his defense has been pretty solid enough to be your everyday Leftfielder.

I'm on board with this.

I also think the FO would rather not have a full time DH so they can move guys around some. This would allow for that.

 

[RoseClone]

A lot of chatter in podcasts this past week about Shaw being sent down as if it was a done deal. Guess not....yet.

 

[RivClone23]

A lot of chatter in podcasts this past week about Shaw being sent down as if it was a done deal. Guess not....yet.

I haven't heard the chatter, but with ~10 days until the deadline I'd keep him up for his defense and see what happens. Can send him down after picking up a 3rd baseman.

 

[CYdTracked]

Caissie is worth multiple rentals

Who is to say it has to be for a rental? There could be some pitchers available with years left on their contract that he might be worth the ask for. Even some of the top rentals may fetch a better prospect than some think they might. With the expanded wild card more teams have been buyers than in the past so the trade deadline isnt what it used to be.

 

[cyfanatic13]

 

[ISUCubswin]

Sounds like Spencer Turnbull will be joining the organization sometime soon.

Sounds like he’s been in the lab and his velo has gone up a few ticks already. Expected to be rotation depth at most

 

[RoseClone]

I haven't heard the chatter, but with ~10 days until the deadline I'd keep him up for his defense and see what happens. Can send him down after picking up a 3rd baseman.

Also, the Locked on Cubs guys talked today about trading Cassie and others ahead of the deadline. Matt's take is he doesn't care if they trade him (and others) even if they don't have plans to sign Tucker because he doesn't expect baseball to be played 2027 so, win now. I hadn't thought of it that way and I'm not sure I agree but...???

 

[RoseClone]

Good start. Two walks and a See!ya

 

[cycloneworld]

My view today.

 

[canker2323]

My view today.

I miss Chicago summers

 

[RivClone23]

Also, the Locked on Cubs guys talked today about trading Cassie and others ahead of the deadline. Matt's take is he doesn't care if they trade him (and others) even if they don't have plans to sign Tucker because he doesn't expect baseball to be played 2027 so, win now. I hadn't thought of it that way and I'm not sure I agree but...???

I'm not optimistic about 2027, at least the start of the season, but I'm not making personnel decisions based on that. I can understand decisions based on possible CBA changes, but not trading someone bc their might not be a season.

Certainly a take though.