Cubbies Gazette

  Wow, wow, wow. No, I'm not turning into a dog, but if you haven't seen, the Mets have been making some pretty bold moves... Such as signing 3 top-tier position players. The @Mets have reportedly agreed to a 4-year deal with OF Starling Marte, per @JonHeyman . pic.twitter.com/isK2HMU0Lo — MLB (@MLB) November 27, 2021 Canha Mets deal is $26.5M over 2 years with club option @Joelsherman1 1st — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 27, 2021 Escobar Mets deal is $20M, two years — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 26, 2021 Marte, Canha, and Escober all in one day. Sounds like the Mets want to compete in 2022, and although I've grown to dislike the Mets, I get where they're coming from. Speaking of former Mets (and Cubs), Baez has been getting some attention from the Tigers, who may be closer to competing than we think.   #Tigers have had recent talks with Javier Baez as they continue to search for a shortstop upgrade https://t.co/mK4ow5AUW5 pic.twitter.com/1YXCd0UTNR —...

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and I also want to say that I'm thankful for all you that are reading this!  With the Cubs still having a need for their rotation (howbeit only one spot, which is my opinion), and not as many pitchers remaining, there is one pitcher which I am all for the Cubs signing, and perhaps he would be too. Of course, this rumor by the owner of MLBTR is what set things off, so I'll share it so you can see who is in the mix for Stroman.  Sources say the Red Sox, Giants, Cubs, Mets, and Angels are interested in free agent righty Marcus Stroman. — timdierkes (@timdierkes) November 24, 2021 A new update shows the Mariners are also in the mix for him as well.   There are countless teams trying to sign Marcus Stroman this winter and you can now add the Seattle Mariners to the list. https://t.co/MIiV2Q9hb0 — FanSided MLB (@FanSidedMLB) November 25, 2021 And although not really rumored to be in the mix for him, Stroman seems to like Cardinals fans ...

 Ok. So much news and updates and rumors it is hard to sort through it all. The biggest news right now is that LHP Steven Matz signed with the Cardinals. Cardinals To Sign Steven Matz https://t.co/SlHv4cQsgp pic.twitter.com/abLfSdikvx — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 24, 2021 The Cubs had come down to the top 5 in offers to Matz, and although he would have been a nice addition to the rotation, I'm not too upset about it. I'm more upset he signed with the Cardinals... But apparently the Mets are pretty upset about it, and Steven Cohen took his wrath to Twitter:  I’m not happy this morning . I’ve never seen such unprofessional behavior exhibited by a player’s agent.I guess words and promises don’t matter. — Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) November 24, 2021 Alright, it's ok to be disappointed, but chewing out a players' agent...I wonder who's being more unprofessional here.  Another big signing, this time with the White Sox, who signed yet another closer...

Over a month ago I wrote a little bit on how the rotation would pan out for the Cubs, and also did an evaluation on Adbert Alzolay. But with the Cubs already acquiring Miley, and in the mix for Matz, as well as wanting an ace like Stroman or Gausman, how do the young starters like Alzolay, Steele, and Thompson fit into the Cubs plans? To start out, what is the rotation looking like right now? Right now, it comprises of Miley, Hendricks, and Mills, plus the other 3 guys. But the Cubs aren't over in filling the rotation. Like I said, they're trying to get Matz, and I would expect them to add at least one more pitcher even if they don't get Matz. Two more pitchers may be a possibility, like signing Stroman and Gray, or something like that.  If that is the case, the rotation would consist of Miley, Hendricks, (Stroman), (Gray), Mills. That would be the rotation, with none of the young trio making the rotation. But if the Cubs got only one more pitcher, say, Gausman, then that w...

 The Cubs have made another offseason move, though not a free agent signing. They have acquired Outfielder Harold Ramirez from the Guardians for cash after they DFA'd him on Friday. Cubs Acquire Harold Ramirez From Guardians https://t.co/sNAafbMtzR pic.twitter.com/N31QuI5tSw — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 22, 2021 That is not surprising in itself, since the Cubs usually get one or two players that get DFA'd, but I see a smart move made by the Cubs "stealthy" front office. I really like that description of them... The Cubs do need outfield help, that is no secret, but who they were going to get was in the air. While more might still be done with the outfield, this is at least a start. He batted .268/.305/.398 with a 90 wRC in 339 AB with the Guardians. He has a low 15.5% K rate, which is what the Cubs wanted in their players, and seems about an average player. He had 91 H and 7 HR, so not a power-hitter, but also not a soft-contact kind of hitter. It...

 There hasn't been a flood of signings like most years, but there has been quite a few, even a couple major ones. I'll give a few of the recent ones: The Angels have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with RHP Noah Syndergaard. pic.twitter.com/BBs7irtvUj — Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) November 17, 2021 Pirates To Sign Jose Quintana https://t.co/MK2oTieWiJ pic.twitter.com/K8jcFsXSuY — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 21, 2021 Brewers To Sign Pedro Severino https://t.co/XJSDnqkskv pic.twitter.com/PC6y1iznG0 — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 21, 2021 D-backs Sign Matt Davidson To Minor League Deal https://t.co/DNH4dQ9egM pic.twitter.com/KJNYVw3cFI — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 22, 2021 Guardians Sign Sandy Leon To Minor League Deal https://t.co/ahOhIM9CMC pic.twitter.com/gKcglqnpGR — MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) November 22, 2021 Also some trades and extensions:  Yankees Trade Tyler Wade To Angels https://t.co/NbXiiAUYac...

 I was watching the Arizona Fall League Championship game yesterday, and I have to say I was excited to see how well Kilian and the Solar Sox did. I'll do a little recap of yesterday's game, and then talk a little bit more about these three players. I'll give it away right off the bat (no pun intended): Caleb Kilian pitched 6 no-hit innings in the Championship Game. Wow. 6 PERFECT INNINGS FOR CALEB KILIAN! 🔥 Kilian led the Mesa Solar Sox to the AFL championship with 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, & 8 K’s. 🔥 Kilian was acquired last trade deadline for Kris Bryant and is the #Cubs 14th ranked prospect. @cjkilian97 pic.twitter.com/OodyC943Jk — Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) November 21, 2021 I hope you see how well his pitches are coming along, because he got 8 Ks yesterday. Here is his detailed stat lines:   Final AFL championship line for Cubs prospect Caleb Kilian: 6 IP 0 H 0 R/ER 0 BB 8 K 68 pitches 48 strikes Sat 94-96 mph with fastball. Reached 97-98 mph. Showed off sharp “c...