Grab your ankles and hold tight for another 8 days because we aren’t making any moves until a day or two before the deadline.
*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter Cyforce
- Start date
Maybe try to get Merrill Kelly as a cheap 5th starter? Tyler Mahle could also be an attractive option…
Kelly isn’t much of an upgrade over what we already have. We need true #1 or #2 caliber starters. I’d rather trade for a high-ceiling arm like Alcantara. It’s frustrating that we’re unwilling to part with top prospects to acquire quality players. We wouldn’t have won the 2016 World Series without trading for Chapman. Torres turned out to be a solid player, but not the MVP-caliber talent some fans expected. Cassie might develop into the next PCA, but more likely he’ll be another Ian Happ. Some prospects do become stars, but most end up as busts like Brooks Kieschnick.
Caissie isn’t PCA because Caissie is an average fielder. Has a better bat than Happ. He’s balanced.
I’d put Cassie being more towards a Suzuki than a Happ or PCA
How do you know he has better bat than Happ? We heard Ballasteros was tearing up in the minor but he hasn’t shown much in the major.
MLB is all about pitching and a long season which wears down starters and closers. Cubs line up is good, pitching not so much. GM needs to respond.
I said it yesterday before the game and the game just proved it out. We have such a great lineup I can't understand the FO being content with essentially forfeiting every 5th game. I know it takes two teams to make a trade but the lack of urgency is baffling.
Couldn't agree more that pitching is the priority. There is a 0% chance we don't add a starting pitcher.
Just throwing out some names at 3B. I would only do a deal for a rental like Suarez or Castro. Castro and Joe Ryan would be amazing.
It’s just not worth it to pay a premium price for one of the limited amount of players available right now. I get the urgency as a fan. I feel it too. It’s just too much of a seller’s market ant this point until more teams decide what they’re going to do.
I like to judge 21 year old kids just getting their first taste of MLB pitching on 18 PAs too. Remind me how those first 19 went for PCA two years ago?
I think there's a chance we see Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz replaced in the bullpen. Here's my deadline wish list.
Cubs receive Gregory Soto for ?
Rationale: Sharma reports Cubs want a hard throwing lefty reliever. He becomes the 7th/8th lefty hitters coming up bullpen arm. He is a rental, so he should barely impact the farm.
Cubs receive David Bednar and KeBryan Hayes for next to nothing.
Rationale: Bednar alone will cost a prospect. But the Pirates want Hayes off their books.
You now have created a playoff-worthy 7/8/9 back of the bullpen for October.
Cubs receive [insert not great prospect here] for Hayes + Cash
Rationale: Hayes is not a great roster fit, but you're more willing to eat cash to lower Bednar's prospect cost. Now flip him.
Cubs receive Kris Bubic for Owen Caissie + James Triantos
Rationale: Bubic provides a cheap, cost-controlled option for next year.
You now go into the postseason with Imanaga, Boyd, Bubic, and Taillon in your rotation and an elite 7/8/9 bullpen.
Cubs receive Gregory Soto for ?
Rationale: Sharma reports Cubs want a hard throwing lefty reliever. He becomes the 7th/8th lefty hitters coming up bullpen arm. He is a rental, so he should barely impact the farm.
Cubs receive David Bednar and KeBryan Hayes for next to nothing.
Rationale: Bednar alone will cost a prospect. But the Pirates want Hayes off their books.
You now have created a playoff-worthy 7/8/9 back of the bullpen for October.
Cubs receive [insert not great prospect here] for Hayes + Cash
Rationale: Hayes is not a great roster fit, but you're more willing to eat cash to lower Bednar's prospect cost. Now flip him.
Cubs receive Kris Bubic for Owen Caissie + James Triantos
Rationale: Bubic provides a cheap, cost-controlled option for next year.
You now go into the postseason with Imanaga, Boyd, Bubic, and Taillon in your rotation and an elite 7/8/9 bullpen.
You almost lost me at trad for KeBryan Hayes. Glad I kept reading haha.
I still hope we go out and grab a rental 3B. Not only does it upgrade the lineup, but the bench as well.
I actually don't hate looking at Hayes. The Cubs hitting infrastructure has been really good at getting guys to tap into pulling the ball in the air and that's where Hayes has fallen off the table. I think there's a tweak there that gets him back to what he used to be.
That said, Bednar and/or Keller would have to be part of that deal.
Bednar, Keller, Hayes for Alcantara and an 11-20 guy probably gets it done if you take all the money.
That said, Bednar and/or Keller would have to be part of that deal.
Bednar, Keller, Hayes for Alcantara and an 11-20 guy probably gets it done if you take all the money.
