The Chicago Cubs could be one of the most active teams the next five weeks, if this MLB insider is right.
For the Chicago Cubs this offseason hasn’t exactly been the things that dreams are made of.
After barely missing the playoffs, the Cubs swung and missed on two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs’ early interest in Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto never really got them in the running.
Plus, they appear to be curiously sitting on the sidelines when it comes to a potential pursuit of their own free agents, including outfielder Cody Bellinger.
The Cubs finally did make their first addition to the MLB roster, but it was for a backup catcher.
It’s making Cubs fans a little antsy, if one is being honest. A team with potential is sitting on the sideline.
Well, it’s possible the big moves are coming. Recently, USA Today insider Bob Nightengale provided 10 predictions for the rest of the offseason. As Cubs pitchers and catchers prepare to report to Mesa, Ariz., next month, he believes the Cubs are lining up to make some big moves in free agency.
In fact, he believes the Cubs will be the most aggressive team on the market for the next five weeks.
They will not only re-sign Bellinger, with no one else expressing strong interest, but could bring in third baseman Matt Chapman or first baseman Rhys Hoskins, too, along with another starter. Their offseason is just starting.
That would be welcome news for Cubs fans, who perceive their team’s president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, as spinning his wheels thus far.
If the Cubs were to acquire all of those players, they would fill needs. Bellinger was the NL Comeback Player of the Year and could start in center field. Chapman would give the Cubs pop and quality defense at third base as a former Gold Glover. Hoskins, who is coming off ACL surgery last year, would likely only get a one- or two-year deal, but he is capable of hitting 30 home runs.
A run of signings like that in the final weeks of the offseason would be a stirring success for the Cubs.