Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs

Anyway, back to baseball. Cubs Convention took place over the weekend, and I've got mixed thoughts about the annual event. My main purpose for attending each year is to catch up with friends and acquaintances, with the panels taking more of a backseat since Marquee broadcasts everything live now. Even if you don't or can't get the network, social media is flooded with clips and quotes.

Oh yeah, we learned that Jon Lester will be the next inductee into the Cubs Hall of Fame. CI was first to report that Lester was getting a blue jacket, then, in a tweet that has since been deleted, Bob Nightengale had the scoop that Rizzo would be going in as well. That ended up being incorrect because Rizzo hasn't been retired long enough, but Nightengale later tweeted that Jody Davis was expected to join Lester.

The Cubs were able to avoid arbitration hearings with all of their eligible players this season, reaching agreements with Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, and Javier Assad. Assad was the last to be reported, but both sides reached a deal before the day ended. Maddie Lee of the Sun-Times was first to report that Assad will earn $1.8 million in 2026, which is just $100,000 less than MLB Trade Rumors projected. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com also reported that Assad's deal includes a team option for the 2027 season.

The lefty missed most of 2024 due to an elbow injury that required an internal brace repair, but he is expected to return at some point in the first half. Internal brace procedures typically result in much quicker return to play than traditional Tommy John replacement, sometimes as soon as six months, but the Cubs are not going to push Steele.

Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday that the A's, who have had issues getting a ballpark going in their future home city, have been rebuffed in attempts to register "Las Vegas Athletics" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This is reportedly the second failed attempt to trademark the new name, something that initially bewildered experts. "The examiner is taking this very literally," trademark attorney Josh Gerben told FOS.

Bellinger spent two seasons with the Cubs after signing a prove-it deal in 2023. He posted a 4.4 fWAR that season, along with a 135 wRC+ and 97 RBIs. It appeared that he was back to his MVP form, or at least close to it. The Cubs brought him back the following season on an opt-out-heavy contract, as teams remained concerned about his injury history and the sustainability of his 2023 performance.

Someone must have smeared Gorilla Glue on all the seats in the Cubs' office building, because it appears all the execs have remained on their asses for the last several days. While I'm sure Jed Hoyer and his crew are indeed putting in work, they've got little to show for it beyond a handful of relievers and a returning expat bench bat.

The Astros signed Tatsuya Imai on Thursday, taking away one of the main options for the Cubs this winter. They now have to look elsewhere to enhance the starting rotation, but Jed Hoyer's offense will need an upgrade as well. Kyle Tucker 's departure has left a void in the lineup, and the Cubs have several different options to try and replace that production.

The Cubs have very few players under contract past 2026 and 2027, which means the next few winters could be quite busy. Just a few years ago, the team had one of the best farm systems in baseball. Those players are now reaching the major leagues, which could prove to be pivotal as Jed Hoyer looks to construct the next great Cubs team.

Here we are at another holiday break, and as we talked about on the last pod, there really is no incentive for teams and players to sign early, so that's why we've only really seen relievers go off the board so far.

As first reported by Jon Heyman, the Cubs have signed catcher Christian Bethancourt to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.6 million if he makes the team. The 34-year-old's last big league action came with the Cubs in 2024, when he slashed .281/.305/.509 with a 125 wRC+ over 59 plate appearances over the last two months of the season.

Munetaka Murakami hit 36 homers as a 19-year-old in 2019, then set the NPB single-season record with 56 dingers three years later. Contract projections ranged as high as $180 million over eight years, and even the most conservative estimate had him earning $80 million for five years. But as concerns over his defense and whiff rate overcame the desire for what at least one exec believes is 90-grade power - which is to say Kyle Schwarber levels - Murakami's market cratered.

The Orioles are trading for starting pitcher Shane Baz, according to multiple reports. Trade news: The Baltimore Orioles are acquiring right-hander Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Slater de Brun, catcher Caden Bodine, right-hander Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn as well as a Competitive Balance Round A pick, sources tell ESPN. - Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2025

As first reported by ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have re-signed lefty reliever Caleb Thielbar. The southpaw pitched well over 58 innings across 67 appearances, posting a 2.64 ERA and striking out four times as many batters as he walked. Thielbar also did a very good job of keeping the ball in the park, surrendering only five home runs all season.