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Cubs notes: Reliving 1st Ohtani recruitment, non-tenders & more
The Cubs have been tight-lipped about any interest or contact with Shohei Ohtani, arguably the biggest free agent in baseball history. Jeff Passan of ESPN wrote earlier this week that it will be held against a team if any visits…
Pressure now on for Craig Counsell, Cubs to win
Before Jed Hoyer made the decision to pursue Craig Counsell to be the Cubs’ manager, the club already had a sitting skipper who received praise from up and down the organization at the end of the season. Call Hoyer’s move…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: What are three critical priorities for the Chicago Cubs?
Craig Counsell’s coaching staff won’t be the same in Chicago as it was in Milwaukee. The Brewers coaches are all staying. So. What’s that mean for the Cubs? Plus, we each bring you 3 key roster priorities that the Cubs…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Can Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell fix the Cubs in one offseason?
The Chicago Cubs now have 3 weeks before baseball’s Winter Meetings to make some serious progress on their roster and coaching staff. Both Jed Hoyer and new manager Craig Counsell have gone on record saying it’s not a one-year fix?…
Craig Counsell introduced as new Chicago Cubs manager
Before he addressed the crowd in front of him Monday morning, Craig Counsell slipped on a Chicago Cubs jersey sporting the No. 30 underneath the name, “COUNSELL.” As he went to sit back down, he cracked a big smile and…
Cubs are trying to find Christopher Morel a defensive home
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Finding a defensive home for a player like Christopher Morel could be enormous for the Cubs from a roster construction standpoint. But doing that the last two seasons has been easier said than done. In the minor…
Does Cubs hiring Craig Counsell signal a big offseason ahead?
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Jed Hoyer took a risk and sent shockwaves around baseball by bringing in Craig Counsell, replacing the Cubs’ sitting manager David Ross with the hottest manager on the market. Back during his end-of-season press conference in early…
Why Jed Hoyer made Craig Counsell the new Cubs manager
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As the calendar approached the end of October, a thought formed in Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s head. Craig Counsell, at the time still under contract with the Brewers and interviewing with them and a…
Cubs hire Craig Counsell as manager, ending David Ross’ tenure
The Chicago Cubs took the offseason’s first major swing, and it was a stunner. Former Brewers manager Craig Counsell is headed to Wrigley Field, replacing current skipper and 2016 World Series hero David Ross. The news was reported by several…
Cubs’ Marcus Stroman opts out of last year of deal: report
Nobody was sure on what Marcus Stroman would do as far as his contract situation goes, but many expected him to return to the Cubs for the final year of his deal in 2024. Instead, Stroman is opting out of…
Can Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki carry over his end-of-2023 play?
Multiple times during the last conversation Seiya Suzuki had with the media before the end of the Cubs’ season, he called back to the error he made in Atlanta on Sept. 26. You’ll remember Suzuki missing what seemed like a…
How Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong can learn from his first taste of the big leagues
For Pete Crow-Armstrong, learning what it will take to be successful in the big leagues started quickly. The Cubs’ top prospect (and No. 12 in baseball, per MLB Pipeline) was called up on Sept. 11. He made his debut later…
Will there be a reunion for Cody Bellinger, Cubs in 2024?
As the Cubs move into the beginning stages of their offseason, one question stands out: Will Cody Bellinger return to the North Side in 2024? Signed to a one-year deal last winter (with a mutual option for 2024, per Spotrac,…
State of the Cubs: Jed Hoyer speaks at end-of-season presser
Even in a season where the Cubs didn’t make the playoffs, there can be some successes to take away from it. A former MVP returned to MVP-like form (and when he hits free agency this winter, they should have a…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer lays out off-season plan in season ending press conference
The exit interview is complete. Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer met the media to answer questions about the team’s late season collapse and his vision for the offseason. Luke Stuckmeyer, Cody Delmendo and Ryan Herrera dissect the press conference and…
State of the Cubs: Tom Ricketts talks Ross, Bellinger, offseason decisions & more
The Cubs’ regular season — and heart-breaking September — officially came to an end following a 4-0 loss to the Brewers on Sunday. The result was meaningless, as they had officially been eliminated from playoff contention Saturday night, but where…
Cubs rebound from tough road trip in 14-1 rout of Pirates
As Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer put it Tuesday, the team’s 10-game skid did sort of feel like it “came out of nowhere.” Less than two weeks ago, they had just got done sweeping the Giants — another…
State of the Cubs: Jed Hoyer talks Stroman, prospects & more
Only a few days ago, the Cubs were expecting Marcus Stroman to come off the 15-day injured list and start against the White Sox Wednesday night. Now, not even president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is sure when — and…
Why Cubs’ Jed Hoyer decided to buy at the trade deadline
There probably wasn’t a specific moment before the trade deadline when Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said, “We’re going to be buyers!” There were some moments that helped, of course. Hoyer noted the comeback win over the White…
Cubs trade for Jeimer Candelario, confirming status as buyers
The Cubs confirmed their status as trade-deadline buyers Monday night, as they bolstered their lineup by acquiring third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals, one of the best bats on the trade market. The Cubs also received a cash consideration…
With limited time before the trade deadline, Cubs need to stack some W’s
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer made it clear when meeting with the media Friday at Wrigley Field: the front office doesn’t want to sell at the trade deadline. However, that comes down to what the Cubs do in…
State of the Cubs: Jed Hoyer talks standings, Stroman, Bellinger and more
When it comes to the new balanced schedule implemented by Major League Baseball this season, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has maintained that he enjoys it. It gives the team a chance to visit cities it didn’t often…
Cubs selling at another trade deadline would be a missed opportunity
A couple of weeks back, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer was pretty upfront in stating that, while it was still early in terms of you trade deadline fate being sealed, you can’t just keep saying “it’s early” forever.…
Where can the Cubs’ bullpen find the boost it needs?
When he addressed the media ahead of the start of the current homestand, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer tried to shift the blame for the bullpen woes onto his shoulders — and off of manager David Ross’. “If…
Jameson Taillon making slow progress, but the Cubs need more
Jameson Taillon says he feels better about his pitching, but the Cubs need results to come quicker.
Jed Hoyer: Cubs still in it, but ‘it’s not early forever’
Following a 7-2 win over the Mets on Tuesday, the Cubs finished the night 4 1/2 games back of the first-place Brewers in the National League Central. The Cubs are still very much in the race (they’re only three games…
Cubs mailbag: Trade deadline talk, Bellinger’s future and more
Inside this Cubs mailbag, CHGO's Ryan Herrera discusses if it's too early for trade deadline talk, Cody Bellinger's future in Chicago, Kyle Hendricks' imminent return and more.
Is Miguel Amaya once again the Cubs’ catcher of the future?
It’s not every day that a veteran catcher sitting in the visitors’ dugout at Wrigley Field showers an opposing rookie catcher with praise, but that’s exactly what Willson Contreras did for Miguel Amaya. “I always thought that he’s a really…
For at least one night, the Cubs figured out how to get the big hit
Patrick Wisdom, the slugging Cubs third baseman, put it pretty well when asked how important the mental side of the game is. “It’s a game of failure, right? I mean, if you can’t handle it and can’t learn from it,…
Why now was the time for the Cubs to call up Matt Mervis
Matt Mervis wasn’t expecting to be in Chicago this weekend. In fact, he was in Columbus, Ohio, for the Iowa Cubs’ series against the Columbus Clippers on Thursday, and in the early afternoon, his parents were at the airport back…
What does looming Kyle Hendricks return mean for the Cubs?
The return of Kyle Hendricks is coming. Thursday afternoon, Hendricks made his first rehab start with Triple-A Iowa. He threw 54 pitches over 1 2/3 innings. The line wasn’t exciting — six runs, six hits and a walk versus three…
Nico Hoerner looks like the leadoff hitter the Cubs have been missing
Not since Dexter Fowler was helping the Cubs break their 108-year World Series drought has the team had a steady presence at the top of the lineup. But 21 games into the 2023 season, it appears Nico Hoerner has finally…
Cubs rotation depth faces first test after Jameson Taillon hits injured list
Heading into 2023, the Cubs’ rotation — and particularly their starting pitching depth — was praised for being much deeper than the previous year. For the first time this season, that depth will be put to the test. Jameson Taillon…
Cubs finally get the new ‘core’ on the field for the first time
The Cubs have their new “core” in place for at least three more seasons after 2023. Ian Happ’s surprise extension for $61 million over three years runs through 2026. Nico Hoerner’s three-year, $35 million extension signed just before Opening Day…
Cubs, Ian Happ agree to three-year extension: ‘It’s the place I’ve always wanted to be’
Ian Happ has been very vocal over the past year about his desire to remain with the Cubs. Whether that involved not wanting to be dealt at the 2022 trade deadline or wanting to stay with the team beyond 2023,…
A Cubs team built on run prevention produced enough for an all-time comeback
It’s no secret this Cubs team isn’t necessarily built with much comeback potential, especially not when they’re facing large deficits. The focus of the offseason was on shoring up the starting pitching depth, adding a couple of backend bullpen pieces…
No need for the Cubs to rush Christopher Morel back
It can’t be easy for a manager to tell a young player who spent much of the previous season in the majors that he isn’t on the big league roster to start the next year. That’s especially true when that…
What does the future hold for Ian Happ and the Cubs?
It’s been nearly a week since the Cubs’ pre-Opening Day workout at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, so it’s been nearly a week since Ian Happ said “there’s nothing really to report, no real comment” regarding extension talks with the Cubs.…
Cubs spring training notes: Jed Hoyer, Carter Hawkins talk extensions, WBC, injuries and more
MESA, Ariz. — With pitchers and catchers reporting to Cubs spring training Wednesday, team president Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins addressed the media to officially kick things off. Though the rest of the position players aren’t required to…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Cubs announce non-roster invites to Spring Training
The Chicago Cubs invited 32 non-roster players to Spring Training. Who are the surprises and which players have a shot to actually make an impact? Plus, we get our first look at a former 1st round pick in Arizona and…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Cubs Doubling Down on Defense
The Cubs might not have enough pop in their lineup this season but they’ve clearly attempted to clean up their defense. Are they ahead of the pack when it comes to new rules changes. The guys react to more Cubs…
How Trey Mancini affects the Cubs’ plans at first base
As the Cubs look to be a more competitive ball club in 2023, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer identified adding power to the lineup as a priority early on. Over the weekend, Hoyer and Co. addressed that area of…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Are the Cubs done adding this offseason?
Is this the finished product? Will the Cubs make any more moves before this weekend or is Jed Hoyer done adding this winter? The CHGO Cubs team takes a look at the remaining free agents and maybe another option at…
What new shortstop Dansby Swanson brings to the Cubs
The Cubs didn’t waste any more time to go and get their man. Dansby Swanson, one of the “Big Four” shortstops who hit the free agent market this offseason, is headed to Chicago after reportedly agreeing Saturday afternoon to a…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Are the Cubs banking too much on Prospects?
Almost 40 days into Free Agency and the Cubs are still waiting on the shortstop market. Is this the week, or is this a glimpse of the future? The guys react to pitcher Kodai Senga signing with the Mets and…
Why did Cubs not want to keep Willson Contreras?
SAN DIEGO — The news Cubs fans have been dreading all season finally came out of the Winter Meetings on Wednesday: Willson Contreras is no longer a member of the Chicago Cubs. And even worse for the fans who saw…
Cubs’ Winter Meetings deals with Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon signal a readiness to spend
SAN DIEGO — Back when Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts met with a group of reporters at Wrigley Field in September, he said the “ball is in Jed’s court” in terms of how team president Jed Hoyer could use the team’s…
CHGO Cubs Podcast: Cubs sign Cody Bellinger to 1-year deal
Emergency CHGO Cubs Podcast! Jed Hoyer and the Cubs agree to a deal with former MVP Cody Bellinger on a 1 year deal. Will this be the first of several big moves before the Winter Meetings wrap up? Seems like…
How Trea Turner deal affects Cubs’ shortstop plans at the Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO — If the Chicago Cubs are truly looking to add a shortstop this winter, they might have to get moving. As reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, two-time All-Star shortstop Trea Turner inked a deal with the Phillies on…
Cubs can’t stand pat as starting pitching market heats up
The impressive second-half performance in 2022 by the Cubs has been well-documented, with their 39-31 record coming at least partly as a result of a turnaround by the team’s starting pitching corps (2.89 ERA in the second half, third-lowest in…
