Cody Bellinger Re-Signs Cubs, Commits to Finish Career in Chicago cu…..See more

The offseason for the Cubs is becoming a clown show.CU
Originally published by Ron Luce on On Tap Sports Net Last modified on November 26, 2024
The Chicago Cubs should, in principle, look to add key roster members after back-to-back 83-win seasons in an effort to win the National League Central division in 2025. But there is a discrepancy between the Cubs’ stated goals and what they should accomplish.

It’s been a strange start to the Cubs’ offseason, and not a nice one. Instead, Chicago is apparently ready to let go of Cody Bellinger and his $27.5 million salary for the next season, and they are aiming for the mid-tier of free agents.

Worse, before the bidding wars even started, early-offseason reports suggested the Cubs would not pursue big-name free agents Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. Bob Nightengale of USA Today just reinforced that idea while making the Cubs’ offseason even more negative.

According to Nightengale, the Cubs are “probably” out on Burnes and Soto in addition to players like Blake Snell and Max Fried. Instead of making a major splash as one of baseball’s cash cows, he characterises the Cubs’ strategy as “driving agents crazy” by concentrating on mid-tier free agents.

Justified Outrage Is Being Generated by the Cubs Offseason
The Cubs would spend, but why? All summer long, Wrigley Field is packed with sold-out spectators, so Tom Ricketts has no reason to. Additionally, like small-market teams like the Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Milwaukee Brewers, they think they can win without paying players thanks to their shiny new toy, Craig Counsell.

Returning to Cody Bellinger, Nightengale believes that the Cubs will only be prepared to invest money if they let go of the 29-year-old this winter.

“If they can unload Cody Bellinger, an outfielder and first baseman, that’s the only thing that could alter their strategy. The Cubs’ decision to make Bellinger available to everyone was the worst-kept secret during the GM meetings. No team has shown a lot of interest thus far.

– Bob Nightengale wrote about “MLB rumour mill: What we’re hearing from GMs with Juan Soto contract looming large”

Yes, even if the Cubs finished as the third-highest-earning team in 2024, Bellinger’s contract status will determine whether they make a big winter acquisition. Even though Chicago had previously spent money on players like Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki, none of them are playing at their best. The Cubs are afraid to spend money because of bad investments.

It’s unclear what the North Siders will do this winter to allegedly strengthen their roster. Since the offseason is turning into more of a clown show than a critical period for a mediocre baseball team to properly improve, it appears like supporters would be better off wearing clown shoes and red noses to the Cubs Convention than Cubs clothing.