Chicago Cubs

FLUSHING, N.Y. (PIX11) — From a 2024 NLCS appearance to the signing of former Yankee star outfielder Juan Soto in the offseason, Mets fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about the upcoming season. For those who might need an extra push to head to Citi Field, the Mets have announced the club’s gate […]

With CC Sabathia heading into Cooperstown, take a look back at the 2008 season finale that launched the Brewers into the playoffs.

This offseason has been a successful one for the Chicago Cubs, who saw an opportunity to potentially seize control of the National League Central and took it. With the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals both taking a step back and the Pittsburgh Pirates still refusing to spend money, the top spot in the division was up for grabs between them and the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds made a few moves to upgrade their roster, but they didn't come close to making the kind of upgrades that the Cubs have made. Chicago completed arguably the most shocking trade of the winter, acquiring star right fielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros.

The Chicago Cubs are seeing potential reliever options fly off the board, and once again the Los Angeles Dodgers are in the driver's seat, reportedly signing Kirby Yates. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers have agreed on a deal with the Texas Rangers closer on Tuesday. Other reports indicate that Yates and the Dodgers are close on a deal, including from The Athletic, but his being linked to Los Angeles adds just another key piece to a bullpen that's quickly becoming a formidable force. The contract comes just days after they reportedly agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal with reliver Tanner Scott, who racked up 22 saves in 72 appearances with the Marlins and Padres last season.

The Chicago Cubs aren't done trying to add to their bullpen. After missing out on potential target Tanner Scott on Sunday who wound up signing a mega deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs are reportedly looking at other options including a right-hander who may just be the best bullpen arm left on the market. According to MLB network insider Jon Morosi, Chicago is one of 'several' teams in pursuit of Philadelphia Phillies former All-Star Carlos Estévez. Morosi also stated the Toronto Blue Jays - another team who had interest but ultimately failed to sign Scott - to be involved in the sweepstakes for Estévez.

CHICAGO — When the Chicago Cubs handed Craig Counsell a five-year, $40 million contract to become the highest-paid manager in baseball, they didn’t do it for his sparkling personality or quotability. Simply put, Counsell was brought to the Cubs to win. The 2024 team was basically the same group the Cubs had in 2023, along with a few additions, notably Shota Imanaga, Michael Busch and Héctor ...

As Spring Training lurks waiting around the corner, the Boston Red Sox still haven't accomplished one of their primary objectives for the offseason. Last season, one of Boston's biggest weaknesses was its lineup imbalance, allowing left-handed pitchers to dominate the lefty-heavy Red Sox order. The main righties the Red Sox have been connected to are Alex Bregman in free agency and Nolan Arenado via trade. What if, however, there is another trade to be had with a National League Central team?

The Chicago Cubs have done a good job of boosting their roster heading into the upcoming season. All of that credit goes to the front office with their aggressive move to acquire Kyle Tucker and boost the bullpen with some additional trades and buy-low signings. For a big market team like the Cubs, it's ridiculous that finances are so often discussed when it comes to their ability to land high-profile free agents. The Ricketts family, the controlling owners of this franchise, have an estimated net worth of $4.2 billion per Forbes.

The Chicago Cubs may have to do some re-tooling in the infield to begin the upcoming season. Starting second baseman and 2023 Gold Glove winner Nico Hoerner's status for Opening Day appears to be a question mark after he underwent surgery upon the conclusion of the season for a flexor tendon issue. Hoerner's situation was reported by Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, who revealed the news that he has not begun a throwing or hitting program and is not currently certain whether or not he's going to be ready for Opening Day.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is planning to rob Cody Bellinger of a home run in 2025. Crow-Armstrong recently made the admission while discussing something he believes would be fun to occur during the 2025 campaign, via Marquee Sports Network. “You know what I think would be the most fun is when we go to the Bronx and play the Yankees and I take one away from our old friend Cody Bellinger,” Crow-Armstrong said with a smile on his face. The Cubs traded Bellinger to the New York Yankees this offseason.

Addressing a need in the backend of the bullpen has been a box that the Chicago Cubs have needed to check in each of the past two seasons. While not adding a legitimate closer for the 2023 season can be discarded due to the team entering the season with more hope than expectation that they would be a postseason contender, failing to do so for the 2024 team is something that needs to be held against Jed Hoyer. Sure, Hoyer signed Hector Neris but there were signs in Neris' 2023 performance that would speak to the struggles he had with the Cubs last season.

Adding a legitimate closer would create a domino effect in the Cubs bullpen How adding a legitimate closer could impact the Cubs Opening Day bullpen By Rich Eberwein | Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit Copy Article Cincinnati Reds v Chicago Cubs | Nuccio DiNuzzo/GettyImages Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit Copy Article During a radio hit on ESPN 1000, insider Jesse Rogers said that he believes the Chicago Cubs will sign a closer before the end of the offseason, which could have an interesting effect on the rest of the team's relief corps. “Let me go out on a limb, I believe the Cubs will go out and sign a back of the bullpen closer” - @JesseRogersESPN on @carmendefalco

The Cubs made the announcement Friday during their fan convention.

CHICAGO — Kyle Tucker’s introduction to the Chicago Cubs organization won’t involve an arbitration hearing during spring training. The Cubs and their new slugger have agreed to a $16.5 million salary for 2025 to avoid arbitration, a source confirmed to the Chicago Tribune on Thursday. Tucker had filed at $17.5 million while the Cubs were at $15 million, which had been the largest gap among ...