How The Cubs Can Win The Offseason

5 days ago 2

As we head into the beginning of the new year, the free-agent market has been very quiet over the last few weeks. Since Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber signed at the Winter Meetings, there hasn’t been much movement from teams.

That means there are still plenty of big name free agents available to sign. Players like Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Zac Gallen are all currently without a team.

So, the Chicago Cubs still have plenty of opportunities to improve their roster ahead of Spring Training. Not landing Japanese star Tatsuya Imai doesn’t make this a lost offseason. With the right additions, they can win the offseason.

Here’s how the North Siders can win the offseason.

The Cubs need another impactful bat in their lineup to replace Kyle Tucker. Tucker might have been inconsistent at the plate last year, but he still finished with a 4.6 WAR while hitting over .260 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.

By signing Bregman, the Cubs accomplish their goal of replacing Tucker. The All-Star third baseman has hit at least 23 home runs in three of the past four seasons and has finished with at least a 3.5 WAR in four consecutive years.

This move would make fans forget about the failed Imai signing because there was never a world where the front office would sign both players. With roughly $38 million left to spend until the first luxury tax threshold, the Cubs can afford to pay Bregman.

If the Cubs were to land Bregman, that would fill one of their two needs. They would still need to add a frontline starting pitcher.

With Bregman likely eating most of the team’s remaining payroll for this year, the front office could look to trade for a pitcher instead of signing one in free agency. That means the Cubs could trade for someone like MacKenzie Gore, Edward Cabrera, or Joe Ryan.

All three of those pitchers are still on their first deals and would be relatively cheap (from a contract perspective) to trade for. Gore, Cabrera, and Ryan are all set to make less than $7 million in 2026.

By signing Bregman and trading for a young arm, the Cubs could stay under the luxury tax while giving them a better chance to compete in 2026. If they make these two moves, they will have won the offseason.

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