2025 Cubs

[mrfelina]

Ricketts inviting Sosa back into the fold.  The Cold War is over.


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So you took roids just get to recover more quickly from injuries, huh?


That's a tried a true one. 


Whatever, glad they've mended fences I guess.

[jeffy]

"We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Convention..."

This whole thing feels like a PR stunt more than anything.

"Look, we may be greedy billionaires, but we still know how to care, forgive, yadda, yadda...hey, while we have your attention, can we interest you in tickets to the Cubs Convention?"

Oh, piss off.

[mrfelina]

Straw! Nice to see you man!

Going to blast your namesake from Carrier Dome 1984 in your honor tonight....really loud.


Now, we just need to know if Kid is still taking in air.

[jstraw]

Kid's missing? I'm only back to watch Ivy and Kid go at it.

[jstraw]

Straw! Nice to see you man!

Going to blast your namesake from Carrier Dome 1984 in your honor tonight....really loud.


Now, we just need to know if Kid is still taking in air.

Thanks, buddy.

[MrSheps]

"We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Convention..."

This whole thing feels like a PR stunt more than anything.

"Look, we may be greedy billionaires, but we still know how to care, forgive, yadda, yadda...hey, while we have your attention, can we interest you in tickets to the Cubs Convention?"

Oh, piss off.

Yeah, I'm guessing that Sammy wants to unlock opportunities to Cubs sponsored autograph signings and the like, and Tom sees the same opportunities and PR buzz. When they bought the team there was speculation about Sammy, and if I recall correctly, Tom said he'd need to apologize first. I guess this is that. It feels weird to me, I don't recall MM and Bonds having to do similar things, not sure why Sosa is different if it's not about clubhouse issues and just steroids. And I don't think he should be nicked for those issues either at this point, I'm sure a lot of guys in baseball were similar and their teams didn't demand apologies to be part of their canonized lore.

[1060Ivy]

Now that Sosa and Ricketts are all fine and dandy, does that mean Jed can cease improving roster and Ricketts can pocket more of the savings from Bellinger’s contract?

Pleased that Sosa is back in Cubs good graces but doubt if that somehow held the team back from making the playoffs so acquire a damn veteran closer/top starter/thirdbase option - something to improve the roster

[funkster]

"We plan on inviting him to the 2025 Cubs Convention..."

This whole thing feels like a PR stunt more than anything.

"Look, we may be greedy billionaires, but we still know how to care, forgive, yadda, yadda...hey, while we have your attention, can we interest you in tickets to the Cubs Convention?"

Oh, piss off.

Yeah, I'm guessing that Sammy wants to unlock opportunities to Cubs sponsored autograph signings and the like, and Tom sees the same opportunities and PR buzz. When they bought the team there was speculation about Sammy, and if I recall correctly, Tom said he'd need to apologize first. I guess this is that. It feels weird to me, I don't recall MM and Bonds having to do similar things, not sure why Sosa is different if it's not about clubhouse issues and just steroids. And I don't think he should be nicked for those issues either at this point, I'm sure a lot of guys in baseball were similar and their teams didn't demand apologies to be part of their canonized lore.

This. He wants the economic opportunities it brings.


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[funkster]

Kid's missing? I'm only back to watch Ivy and Kid go at it.

He’s busy being snarky desipio 2.0 on twitterX


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[Butcher]

It was clear to anyone with eyes that Sosa played with joy and love for the game. And yet it's beancounters like the Ricketts who decided that Sosa didn't deserve to be a Cub until he prostrated himself in public and begged. And don't get me started on the journalists who all fucking knew about roids the entire time and then immediately joined the witch hunt once the Feds got interested.

[1060Ivy]

The Cubs will likely near the luxury tax line for 2025 or make additional trades to re-enforce the roster. There's a number of opportunities including free agents that can improve the roster. Believe that Cubs payroll currently sits around $200 MM with assorted payout/buyouts so Cubs will likely spend another $30 MM or so - Jed says he likes to keep $10 MM on hold for in season trades. Plus, after "accidently" going over the luxury tax last season, he likely will ensure he doesn't do it again.

Hoping that Cubs sign a closer, reinforce their starting rotation, and acquire a power hitting corner infielder that can back up inexperienced expected starters in those positions.

Sasaki seems to be the best hope for a starter as little faith in Cubs signing Jack Flaherty spending over $100 MM (the Cardinal stank on him and lack of consistency concerns remain) or other remaining free agent starters.

Don't see them pulling a trade for Cease which would be a godsend as Padres will likely get multiple other offers. Padres will wait till the Sasaki sweepstakes winner is announced then may even hold out till season commences and some club has an unexpected injury in the starting rotation.

The Cubs lack of a reliable closer cost them the playoff opportunities in 2023 and 2024. Cubs need a proven closer which allows them to lock other members of bullpen into more specific roles. Unfortunately, don't see the Cubs signing Tanner Scott and appears that the Braves will sign Jeff Hoffman which are likely the 2 best free agent closers. Jansen, Yates, Robertson are all still available but each has their own issues including potential AARP memberships. No clue who the Cubs will target and concerned that they will sign a couple meddling veteran relivers and hope that they can sort out a bullpen - like the previous seasons.

Regarding a power hitting corner infielder, yes, signing Bregman would greatly improve the roster but Cubs aren't going to offer him $200 MM and he's not going to take a pillow contract to establish his production with another team. Astros offered him 6 year, $156 MM so that's the floor - which he declined.

Seeking a veteran back up that has power for a back up corner infielder. Who knows maybe Carlos Santana has another year left in him? This role was Patrick Wisdom's and Dave Bote's in the last 2-3 seasons so it's an open spot now.

No one that I mention as potential Cubs free agent signing is overwhelming but they are realistic if you believe that Cubs will likely be at or about $10 MM under the luxury threshold for 2025 season so about $231 MM.

[Butcher]

Guess we're not getting Sasaki. Shocker.

Is this the roster we're going into spring training with? Tucker is a nice upgrade, but this still doesn't feel like a 90-win team to me.

[Butcher]

The new alternative unis are pretty cool. I like the blues connection. Still hate the gigantic Motorola logo.

[1060Ivy]

Would rather them sign a legitimate closer than roll out the light blues

I like the light blues but damn it develop a competitive roster and I won’t care what the unis look like

[Butcher]

Would rather them sign a legitimate closer than roll out the light blues

I like the light blues but damn it develop a competitive roster and I won’t care what the unis look like

Do you think making these uniforms will prevent them from signing a legitimate closer? I feel like they could do both of those things.