Cubbies Gazette

 Okay, maybe not too serious, but still a consideration of trading for almost-MLB-ready prospects. What I mean by that is trading for prospects that have debuted or are close to making their MLB debut. This means prospects that are Triple A or beyond. The Cubs have their share of prospects that are ready to make the big leagues soon (Brennen Davis, Nelson Velazquez, Brailyn Marquez etc), but it would certainly help to have more, and more variety. 1. Trade for RHP Logan Gilbert This entered my head when I was perusing the Mariners' top prospects, and I set this out as a possible trade: If the Cubs traded Nick Madrigal, who should they get in return? Possible trade scenario: Madrigal to Mariners for RHP Logan Gilbert (No.4 Mariners Prospect). https://t.co/zd0DfTFkzr pic.twitter.com/TGXlFX5gBC — Cubbies Gazette (@cubbies_gazette) November 20, 2021 Would the Mariners be willing to trade one of their top prospects (who has already debuted for the Mariners) for a player like Madrigal? ...

 Hoerner is now entering his third full season with the Cubs. He debuted in 2019 with high results, batting .282/.305/.436 in 78 AB. 2020 was an off year for him, as he batted .222/.312/.259 with a 61 wRC in 108 AB. But then in 2021 he batted .302/.382/.369 with a 104 wRC in 149 AB.  However, injuries kept him from getting more at-bats, as he dealt with oblique injuries throughout the season. There is a lot of data to sort through, and also a lot of puzzle pieces to put together regarding his future. We'll start with some positive things I see in his production: The strikeout rate is unbelievable in a good sense. He had a 14.7% K rate in 2021, and a 15.9% in his MLB career. He's simply the kind of guy that just doesn't strikeout, which is a good thing. He swung at pitches only 47.7% of the time, and made contact when swinging 82.3 % of the time. So great zone control overall. He also had a knack for hitting pitches whether they were inside or outside of the zone. He made co...

  As today was the deadline to add prospects to the 40-man roster, the Cubs added 2 minor league players to their roster. Velazquez was no surprise, seeing how well he was doing in the AFL, batting .385 with a 1.191 OPS. He will receive an invitation for Spring Training, and will likely start the year in Triple A. Can I see him debuting for the Cubs in 2022? Yes I can. Especially if he keeps hitting the ball like he has been, then I can definitely see him making his MLB debut.  Ethan Roberts is a reliever who pitched for Double A and Triple A in 2021, posting a 3.00 ERA in 54 IP, and walking 17 to striking out 72. I can see him making his MLB debut as well in 2022, and he could easily fit into the bullpen and pitch as well as he has been.  So, yes I am happy who they have added, even though they did not protect prospects like Thompson, Sanders or Hughes, but I am expecting them to pounce on one or two prospects from other teams that did not get protected. The current rost...

 Because there isn't much time left in November for teams (including the Cubs) to sign free agents before the CBA negotiations end on December 1st and most likely cause a work stoppage, I thought I'd give an update on the free agents that the Cubs have been interested in.  We'll start with Carlos Correa, who the Cubs were connected with in rumors earlier this offseason. According to some sources, Correa will not settle for anything less than the $341M deal that Lindor had, meaning most likely even breaking that record deal. Here is the article: Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa has crazy asking price in free agency https://t.co/2SGvSiGQG0 #MLB #HoustonAstros — Sportsnaut (@Sportsnaut) November 18, 2021 That is expensive. And while the Cubs have money, they might not want to spend quite that much. They might not even have to consider it, because Correa has been having some deep talks with Tigers manager AJ Hinch, and Correa to Tigers has been the main rumor.   Yes, free a...

The Cubs have already made some small minor leagues signings, but here is another: The Cubs have signed Reds prospect Narciso Crook to a minor league deal. Chicago Cubs Sign Former Reds Prospect Narciso Crook to a Minor League Deal - https://t.co/DnvTvdIUu2 (via BN) — Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) November 18, 2021 He's a slightly-above-average outfielder who is a great pick-up for the Cubs. Posted a 119 wRC+ in 2021, and reached a 139 wRC+ in 2018. Good contact hitter that drew quite a bit of walks in 2021. The Cardinals signed Cubs reliever Kyle Ryan to a minor league deal, for what it's worth.   Cardinals Sign Kyle Ryan To Minor League Deal https://t.co/f7SSNiABT1 pic.twitter.com/4QAuXXB8Pi — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 19, 2021 MLB MVP and Cy Young were decided, and these are your winners: AL MVP, Cy Young:   The only way to close out a historic season. Shohei Ohtani is your unanimous 2021 American League MVP. pic.twitter.com/zlw5aGr68k — MLB (@M...

 Let's start with some overall news and then get into our subject for today. Noah Syndergaard signed a 1-year deal with the Angels today. Kind of an interesting move- seems like they want to get Trout and Ohtani a World Series victory, maybe? Noah Syndergaard agrees to $21M, 1-year Angels deal. @jonmorosi and @JeffPassan 1st — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 16, 2021 #Angels make their first splash of the offseason; https://t.co/0O5D9wpMUz pic.twitter.com/FyN7v1M421 — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 16, 2021 The Blue Jays have extended their trade-deadline pickup Jose Berrios...   #BlueJays ' big trade-deadline acquisition will be staying in Toronto a lot longer now: https://t.co/1oaDT73uFn pic.twitter.com/Wco3kBiB8G — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 16, 2021 Looks like the Mets finally have their GM after interviewing scores of candidates. I was wondering if they were going to start interviewing fans.  Billy Eppler is finalizing an ag...

  First off today we're going to start with an overall somewhat shocking piece of MLB news: #Tigers make the first multi-year free agent splash of the offseason https://t.co/YNzoi5Pyj8 pic.twitter.com/4q0JegJ3ze — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 15, 2021 Eduardo Rodriquez is gone. But to the Tigers on a 5-year deal before the CBA negotiations are done? That is surprising. The Tigers are certainly being aggressive this offseason, but being this aggressive on a higher-end free agent and then signing him to a 5-year deal? That might spark more moves of this sort before December 1st. I have mentioned before how I thought Rodriquez would be a good Cubs target, but I guess that never happened, and the race was down to the Tigers and Blue Jays before the Tigers got him. Now for some Cubs news: The Cubs have officially hired their assistant pitching coach, one who served as a pitching coach in the Yankees' organization for years. The #Cubs today named Daniel Moskos as...