Pitchers and catchers reported the camp to the Cubs today as part of camp president Jed Hoyer and manager Craig Counsell Both discussed many topics with the media. Third base is a special focus of media conferences after Chicago trades in current third baseman Isaac Paredes As part of Astros Kyle Tucker Trading resumed in December. It is worth noting that the Cubs have been reported to be outside the Astronauts’ market for a long time Alex Bregman This winter, he wandered in free agents. While Chicago seems interested in Bregman’s service, Hoyer makes it clear that the club is currently focused on their comments on Bob Nightengale Players who have passed.
“Don’t know,” Hoyer said when asked if there was a major action before the opening day. “I think you’re always looking for opportunities, but now we’re going to focus on the guys in the camp. That’s the plan.”
At this time, the Red Sox, Tigers and Astronauts made a offer to Bregman for at least four years, which is basically consistent with previous reports, suggesting that Bregman has already made it throughout the process. Five-year and six-year quotes. winter. As for the Cubs, Nightengale wrote, “there is no indication” that the Cubs are willing to offer more than three years of deals, but added that they are willing to give Bregman the highest average annual value for any of his suitors. Should he reach a short-term deal ?
This is the model the club follows to resign Cody Bellinger Last winter, they waited for him in late February with a three-year, $80mm covenant and other high-profile free agents Pete Alonso and Jack Flaherty Previously, this winter, I had to adapt to similar short-term offers. However, it remains to be seen whether the Bregman market needs to follow the same path, and it is easy to imagine that the Bears are just using internal choices at that position, rather than signing a lengthy contract with Bregman.
Of these internal choices, the most exciting option for Cubs fans is certainly the top prospect Matt Shaw. The club’s 2023 first-round draft pick did nothing but become a professional, and at this point, struck out among the four levels of minors in his young career .303/.384/.522 slash. This includes a great 35 games at Triple-A late last year, where he hit .298/.395/.534, strikeout rate of just 19.7% intraday strikeout rate on 152 trips. Shaw’s rise puts him firmly into the 2025 major league radar, and it seems (a surprising acquisition like Bregman), the 23-year-old will get everything to open camp with the club this spring Chance.
That being said, Hoyer made it clear (communicated by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers) Shaw will win the position this spring and not only hand it over. Although Hoyer emphasizes that they don’t intend to “mouth” rookies, it’s worth pointing out that if they decide to stay away from Shaw at this point, there is no clear veteran choice for the hot corner. Vidal Brujan Getting from the Marlins earlier this winter, but has less than 100 innings of third base experience in the Grand Slam and is a career .189/.261/.270 batsman. Rule 5 Choice Gage Workers Last year, he was seen as a third baseline plus defender, hitting a good blow to the Tigers’ double AD-A branch in Erie, but he didn’t even play third-tier games at two-thirds level, Then we can say that he has less experience than Xiao himself.
Maybe an old-fashioned utility person Jon Bertie Apart from Shaw, it’s the 35-year-old season, he’s the best inside third base candidate, although he’s limited to 25 games due to injury, and relying on a daily role can be risky. He is still considering backups, it is reported Michael Busch Starting from first base, it is possible that his best role is his versatility that can allow him to fill in multiple positions on the bench. Second Baseman’s uncertain schedule further complicates Bears’ infield mix Nico Hoerner. The Cubs revealed in late October that Hoerner had undergone flexor tendon surgery without providing a return schedule, and the latest update to his recovery process is that he has not started post-operative surgery or undergoing surgery and that his availability this season is Questionable.
Given all the uncertainty around the infield, it also makes sense for Chicago to be reluctant to expand itself to Bregman, which certainly makes sense for Chicago. However, during the offseason, free agents have little help. Apart from Bregman, the best third key options are Paul Dejong,,,,, Brandon Druryand Louis Urias. There may be transactions, Brett Baty metropolis Oswaldo Cabrera Yankees and Willi Castro In the winter, this can still offer the twins among speculative trade candidates, but so far the Cubs have not been closely related to any of these names.
Until his Cubs added another infielder to make Shaw’s third base job stronger competition at opening day, otherwise he would likely be in the club’s hot corner at the start of the season. As Counsell told reporters (including Jordan Bastian of MLB.com), that number is true if Hoerner is not ready for opening day. Illinois starts the season, and spring is the choice in Keystone.
