Cubs again expect to prioritize ‘upper middle class’ pitchers in free agency –

Does anyone else think of the Cubs as a gaudy, nouveau riche McMansion built on the site of a grander home surrounded by sprawling displays of wealth? But the Cubs’ home was somewhat poorly constructed because the owners wanted to save some costs by forgoing top-notch materials. They live either above or below their means, depending on how you look at it, which is why they have Fords in the driveway when the neighbors buy luxury cars.

Okay, enough explaining the analogy. The point here is that the Cubs don’t expect to be swimming in the deep end of the free agent pool, which means you can forget about them pursuing Juan Soto. The extension of what is likely the franchise’s largest contract ever to 30-year-old right-back Corbin Burnes also seems to be a big challenge. I would argue that it would be better to offer Soto double or even triple what Burnes is, but that’s just my opinion.

Even a big trade — either for a superstar-level player or just a top catcher — seems like a fairly distant possibility given Jed Hoyer’s general aversion to taking big risks. One could argue that it would be much easier to move one or more of them when you already have a bevy of top prospects in Triple-A, although the front office’s calculating nature tempers what might otherwise be an aggressive tendency. So while I leave room for surprises, there is a strong feeling that the Cubs will go after it again Patrick Mooney called itthe “upper middle class of free agents.”

The first two names Mooney mentions in this article are Max Fried and Nathan Eovaldi, names we have discussed here in the past and this has come up frequently in early speculation elsewhere. Another option turning heads lately is Walker Buehler, a rebound candidate whose injury history has many screaming that Hoyer will undoubtedly play for him. Buehler missed the entire 2023 season and has thrown just 140.1 innings over the past three years combined, including a two-month stint midway through this season after returning in early May.

Then there’s Shane Bieber, who was frequently discussed as a trader’s target before his elbow reconstruction in April. The Guardians had apparently done it demanded an extremely high return for the former Cy Young winner and it cost them dearly, especially considering they were already without him during an above-average season for the team. It sounds like Bieber’s procedure was indeed a full Tommy John procedure rather than the internal brace option that typically results in a shorter recovery, but he still feels like he’s at least mostly for that Spring training is ready.

“Yeah, I think it’ll be somewhat normal,” Bieber said recently said Rob Bradford Baseball is not boring. “Of course there are a lot of unknowns, a lot is still up in the air, so we’ll see. All I can do now, I know this is cliché and I wish I could give you more, is I can just focus on what I’m doing right now. I have to get well. I feel healthy, but I need to continue to build up and get my new elbow used to throwing hard.”

That could uncertainly mean the righty is looking for a shorter trial deal for his age-30 season in preparation for a larger contract that takes him into the twilight of his career. He looked excellent in two starts with an elbow injury and his fastball velocity improved only slightly compared to the previous two seasons. So one can assume that it can become strong again sometime in 2025. Given the existing rotation depth, this is a valuable move for Bieber that makes sense for the Cubs.

I expressed concern about the possibility that the Cubs would prioritize pitching, as a monster deal for Burnes could preclude adequate spending on other areas of need. However, if they are a little more conservative in that regard, they have more than enough to enjoy a little bit of bullpen play and a power bat or two, maybe even an upgrade behind the plate. And despite what I’ve said before, I think they’ll edge out at least one top-10 candidate. Will that be enough to invite her to a party with the Dodgers and Yankees?

I’m pretty skeptical, but the first step is to get to a point where they can look down on the Brewers in the standings for the first time in far too long.