The early buzz about the Cubs at the GM meetings

With the offseason picking up steam, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic check in from San Antonio and share what they’re hearing from sources who have gathered for the GM meetings. There are items on Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and how the Cubs view the pitching market. Plus names to consider at catcher, the prospects now on the major-league radar, and an update on Nico Hoerner and whether teams would trade for him this winter.
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[@timad11]

When the team throws out stats like how much better they were in the second half offensively, it is convenient that they forget to add that their schedule was much easier down the stretch . Of course, they still choked away a lot of those games as well too. And I could totally see them using that as an excuse to not make any larger moves, because that’s exactly what happened to the year before.

[@Teremei]

definitely need a good bat C to platoon with Amaya, doesn't have to be a world breaker. but our C position bats were AAAABYYYYSSSSMAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL. . . A top tier starting pitcher FA (or could be a trade). And somehow shake a trade with a couple of your top trade chips for a masher. What position they play depends on what you trade and what spot you have open.

[@michaelbingham6907]

Bellinger + for Soto!

[@Gnar_Dogg]

While it would be nice to trade for someone like Cal Raleigh or Shea Langeliers that's very unlikely. If they can just manage say a combined 80-90ish wrc+ out of the catching tandem they would be in a solid spot. That said Travis D'Arnaud or Carson Kelly would be good fits in my opinion. D'arnaud is likely a better offensive option while Kelly would be the better defensive option. The thing that concerns me is D'arnaud is going to be 36 so it's possible his offense shows regression. An as for Kelly, he seems like more of a wild card in terms of offensive production. He managed a 99 wrc+ this season which is great for a catcher but he hasn't done that since 2021. 2023 he was only at a 56 wrc+ and 2022 he was at 73.

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

Pete Alonso is a perfect fit at DH/1B. Jed won't even get to talk to him little alone Soto. Last year of his Contract and ownership is giving Jed about 10mil to fix the team. Smh Chicago has horrible ownership outside Blackhawks.

[@EV-ok2kv]

What numbers Nico didn’t put shit up 😂😂

[@Tom-hc5iv]

Cam Ballesteros be the backup?

[@michaelbingham6907]

Sign Bauer nowadays!

[@Commenter007]

The only way the Rickets are going to get the message is for fans to stay away from the ballpark! If the team isn't significantly better before game number one, we the fans, should stay home! Make them understand the old saying, "You have to spend money, to make money!" We've endured two rebuilds and several seasons of tanking games, So enough is enough!!

[@mikestuhr2797]

If every Cub fan sent Rickets one million they could sign SOTO. 😂

[@uncle-ted]

Caissie and Alcantara for Bryan Woo

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

We are Broke because Rickets spent all our $$$ on Elections. Almost 50mil on getting Rickets elected in Iowa. 💯🤷🏻 We are shopping Owen Cassie to get players back to fill out the roster 😢

[@dwg426]

You must be a troll. A real fan would get the state right.

[@luismiranda1064]

P

[@bradmoretz]

Horrible culture! Horrible leadership! Horrible ownership! Horrible front office! It's hard to win with all these negatives.

[@jamespullos8027]

This team is ruined the Cubs are playing checkers

[@jimdecker4760]

Trade Assad and Bellinger