LOOKING FOR CLUES: Chicago Cubs plans could be taking shape

LOOKING FOR CLUES: Chicago Cubs plans could be taking shape

The winter meetings has come and gone. Are the Cubs plans more or less clear? Go Cubs. You are Locked On Cubs, your daily Chicago Cubs podcast, part of the Locked Onet. Your team every day. You are Locked On Cubs, part of the Locked On Network. Now the number one sports podcast network. We are your team every day. I’m Matt Cozy. I’m a lifelong fan, taking my passion into a discussion with you on all things Cubs. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5. And if your bet wins, you’ll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. Download the FanDuel app today. Sam and I will be back on Friday as we try to figure out what the Cubs goals are for 2026 uh and maybe what all of baseball’s goals are. We’ll do that to close up the week. And as the winter meetings ended on Wednesday, the Cubs preferred plan could be taking shape. We explain why throughout today’s show and as I have been recording on Wednesdays this off season. I’m either solo or joined by a guest co-host and that person today is Carson Wolf of the Wriggly Wire. Uh a a very uh solid account on on X. Carson, thank you so much for being on. Uh appreciate you joining me. It’s going to be fun to to guest host with you. Um tell us a little bit about the Wrigley Wire first. Yeah. Um, so first of all, thanks for having me. Um, thank you for that. Uh, so the Wrigley Wire is account on Twitter or X, I guess. Um, I started about a year ago. I talk about the Cubs. I talk about news analysis, try to provide insight, look at stats, and everything like that. All right. This is your podcast. Uh besides the there was a a podcast you put out over the weekend otherwise on someone else’s show. This is your debut, right? Yes, correct. Okay, very good. Well, I’m I’m glad uh to offer you that that chance and there’s there’s no shortage of things to to talk about. Uh Edward Cabrera and McKenzie Gore continue to be discussed as trade candidates. The Cubs have had interest in both of these pictures since at least last July. That’s where we’re going to start today’s show. Uh also getting to all the other rumblings. We have the latest for you on all of that and then checking in on our current feelings of what do we think is actually going to happen. But Carson, I was thinking about it today. If they if the Cubs really like Cabrera or Gore, I feel like they need to trade for Cabrera or Gore as soon as possible because the Cubs will not win a staring contest. They don’t allow that to happen. Uh typically they don’t force the issue on moves. They don’t make a move out of urgency of another team possibly trading for that same player. But if they truly believe the starting rotation is their biggest need this off season, then they might have to get out of their comfort zone here. Yeah. Yeah, that’s Yeah, they I think them getting out of their comfort zone is something that’s going to happen regardless, whether it be with EI or making a trade for somebody. Um, and we know like Jed loves his prospects. So, I think that’s something that kind of that’s why he’s hesitant to make those trades. He loves Case, he loves Bisteros, and those are guys that the Marlins or the Nationals are going to ask for in return for someone like Edward Cabrera or Mackenzie Gore. Um, so yeah, they’re going to have to get out of their comfort zone. And I think that a deal like that, like you said, would have to happen soon for them because I mean, they need to have some urgency that I don’t know if they have yet. And I think that could stem from them wanting to wait for EI to sign somewhere. Um, so yeah. Uh, I mean those two are pitchers are really good pitchers. They’d obviously be impact guys regardless and they’re under team control for at least two more years. So yeah. Yeah. Cabrera for three, Gore for two. Cabrera struck out 150 and walk 48 in 137 and two/3 innings in 2025. Erra of 353. Gore struck out 185 and walk 64 in 159 in twothirds innings. RA of 417. Gore’s final nine starts, he posted a six erra. Orioles, Cubs, maybe others are in on both players. Carson, would you have a preference on either of them? I think I like Edward Cabrera more more than Mackenzie Gore. Um, I mean, obviously had a better season last year. Um, Gore’s numbers were inflated, like you said, by those final nine starts. Um, but Cabrera has an extra year of team control. Um, I like his arsenal a little bit better, even though his K rate’s a little bit lower. He throws high 90s on the fast ball, but his primary pitches are his change up in his curve ball. Um, and I I don’t know, he’s just he’s an electric pitcher. If you watch him pitch, his stuff is disgusting. He’s got that turbo change up that he throws I think 24% of the time. Um, he’s a fun guy to watch. He’s young, like I said, team control, everything like that. I mean, he’s a total package and that’s kind of what the Cubs are looking for. And I think the cost might be similar. Um, based on like what we heard at the deadline, the Gore asking price is just insane. So, even with that extra year, I think they might have similar costs. I I can’t really talk myself into getting encouraged, reassured, whatever the phrasing would be about waiting even for Emi. I I just I can’t do it. I know he offers the the upside uh and the higher ceiling and would signal for sure their their intentions and a little more level of seriousness. Even though I I could be persuaded on King or Gallon too and maybe that would be dependent on other moves down the road. I just worry that I mean he has literally a deadline. He has to sign by January 2nd. Uh, I I just I just fret a little bit about them losing. Now, with that being said, I think it would be more of the trade market because if they don’t feel like they could line up on a trade or uh they’re just out of time. I would be surprised if they don’t get one of Emi, Michael King, or Zack Allen. Is that where you’re at too right now? I just Yeah, they it would it would be surprising if they exited the off season with at least not one of those three if not Cabrera or Gore. Yeah, I agree with that. Um it Yeah, I mean we all we’ve heard all off seasonason is how they’re in on basically every starter. Um, it seems like I don’t know I don’t know if there’s actually a report on this, but it seems like they are a little bit more serious this offseason than they were last offseason about getting a top guy, which they didn’t get last offseason worth the deadline. But, um, I think I would be surprised if opening day roster did not have Gore, Cabrera, or one of those three uh, guys. Where were you when Bob Nightingale erroneously reported the gallon signing? Do you remember where you were? Yes, I do. I was sitting at my desk. Um, I had just gotten back from the gym, I think, and I sat down and I saw that actually somebody had I don’t have Nightingale’s notifications on, so I didn’t see it right away, but somebody had commented on one of my posts about Zack Gallon saying that we had signed him. So, I looked into it and I saw that and I freaked out for a couple minutes until passing. Um, eventually came in and said there’s nothing close. And yeah. Yeah, that was that’s where I was. All right. All right. Coming up next, I think I figured out what the Cubs preferred plan is. And it it hinges on the two dudes we just talked about in the trade market. Uh but also hinges on a certain uh third baseman potentially as well. Stay tuned. Today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. The World Cup is coming back to North America for the first time since 1994. 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Again, download the app, make an account, use code locked on MLB for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, and go with Game Time today. Thank you for making Lockdown Cubs your first listen of the day. Thank you for making Locked On the number one sports podcast network. You already live your team every day. Now take it up a level and go ad free. Join the Everyday Club today and get Locked On Cubs with no interruptions. All for just $5 a month or $50 a year. Go to lockdowns.supcast.com or check the link in this episode description. I’m starting to believe the Cubs preference would be to trade for a starting pitcher and sign Alex Bregman. If you want to throw Yuanio Suarez’s name in there, maybe. Uh, of course, Cubs are still in the mix for bullpen help, bench help, I think they will be pretty much up until spring training and beyond, especially on the bullpen side. But if there’s a path to checking off two major needs, then I think you need to pursue that path. And we learned this week that they’re they’re certainly in the mix uh for Bregman. What do you think, Carson? Is their preferred path more or less clear after the winter meetings? I think so. Um, I tend I’m starting to agree more with what you said about them preferring to trade for a guy and then go after someone like Bregman or Suarez. Um, it’s just kind of the what I’m picking up from every I mean it’s been very broad. They haven’t really made that super clear. um all the reports are, you know, they’re interested in everybody and that’s what everybody likes to complain about, but I mean it’s a it’s a good thing that they’re interested in all these starters and Bregman and Suarez. Um so that’s a good thing. I think that is I think realistically that would be their preferred plan. I don’t know if they end up getting that done or not. Um, but yeah, I think if they could somehow land Bregman and trade for one of Gor McKenzie, I think that would probably be their ideal offseason at this point. Yeah, it’s going to be hard to do. I mean, with their with their financial constraints, whether it’s right or wrong, to get a key offensive piece, to get a number two starting pitcher and fortify the bullpen and bench, that’s going to be hard. Um, which is why I think it’s it it is clear that they would be comfortable with the Casey Baysteros Yep. plan and sticking with Shaw third. Uh, they made that clear this week. I just believe that if given the opportunity to make their team really better that they would get a controllable starter via trade and somehow get Bregman. I I think Suarez would be a tough sell because he strikes out a lot. His defense is is poor. Um maybe maybe but I I really think it would be it would be Bregman. Um it’s it’s interesting because Bregman it looks like already is down to two teams. Unless I’m missing something, the Cubs and Red Sox and then you kind of worry about the rest, you know, or maybe Shaw would be in the deal to the Nats or the Marlins. Um, how much better do you think Bregman would make the team? I think if that scenario would would happen, if they land Bregman and a controllable starter, I think that probably makes them the division favorites. Whereas, if Shaw’s the opening day third baseman and they have Michael King, I’d say it’s probably I mean I’d say it’s probably still the Brewers. Um, yeah, I think obviously M guy like Michael King moves the needle. Um, he’s been really good the last couple years. He was injured a bit last year. Um, but I saw today that Lance Brodowski said that the general idea around the league is that that’s not a huge concern going into next season. Mhm. Um, I just don’t know if it puts them over the edge. They won 92 games last year. Is that correct? 92 games. Yeah, you’re right. Yeah. Um, and they didn’t win the division. It was a good season. They came within one game of, you know, being the Brewers and moving on. But I just don’t know if adding Michael King and then rolling out everybody else without Kyle Tucker moves the needle past where they were this season. Yeah, it gets back to some of the theme of Sam and I’s convos on the show this off season and something we’re going to explore more for Friday, which is really what are what are their goals? I I don’t get why they would shoot for 87 or 88 wins and then hope for overperformance. I’m also starting to realize that maybe, you know, because I I keep framing on the show, Carson, that like 2026 is the year. And a lot of that is because so many bigger names on this team are due to become free agents after 26. Well, pair that with they just won 92 games. They made the playoffs for the first time in a full year since 2018. First postseason series win since 17. I feel like 26 2026 should be allin. I am starting to realize though that maybe we’re exiting what should have been the the all-in year which uh you know we have time to you know unpack that that more. Um, but I I hope they take advantage and it’s not that I’m pounding on the table, but there’s there’s opportunity. There’s opportunity for the organization. Uh, one unexpected thing from Wednesday’s news, Carson, was that the Cubs met with Pete Alonzo. John Haymon reported that. I don’t think there are many implications here. Alonzo has been connected to the Cubs before. Uh I don’t feel too differently about the Cubs plans now knowing they met with him in person in Orlando at the the winter meetings. I don’t feel like they missed out on him. You know, we don’t know if they offered him a contract. We don’t know if they wanted to do that. It could have been due diligence by the front office. It could have been a factf finding mission about the Red Sox. Uh because the Red Sox were in on Alonzo. So with their interest, genuine interest in Bregman, maybe they wanted to get some intel on on on the Red Sox a little bit. But but I never Alonzo wasn’t even on my my radar. Did this change anything for you? No, I don’t think so. Um, if it was like if they were seriously interested in signing him, I guess it probably would have fit the mold of last offseason with Bregman, how it was kind of opportunistic, like a the perfect storm if it were to work out. Um, like if they ended up signing Pete Alonzo, he’d probably start a lot the time at DH, spot start at first base. Um, and they’d probably end up trading, they could end up trading Casey if that were the case and then start saying right field every day or trade, but I don’t know, something like that. Um, but yeah, I don’t think it was all that serious. I don’t think they were a serious player for Alonzo, and I don’t think it really changes anything about how the rest of the offseason’s going to play out. Uh, there was also report from Bruce Levine about Devin Williams that apparently he wanted to reunite with his former manager, Craig Councel. The Cubs weren’t ready to do three years at a 17 million AAV. Uh, are there any relievers still on the market that that intrigue you? Um, there’s a couple. I mean, obviously Brad Keller. I’d like to see him back. Um, but I saw I can’t remember who reported. I saw somebody connect the cups to Robert Suarez. Yeah. Romero. Yeah. Yes. Yes. I was a little bit surprised by that. Um, I don’t know if they would be willing to meet what he’s asking. So, I don’t I don’t think that’s realistic. But a guy that I think might be more realistic would be a guy like Kenley Jansen. Um I know he’s 38 years old, but he he actually had a good year last year. 59 innings pitched in a 2590 RA. Um looking at like their spinning habits in the past, I think that might be somebody they’d be interested in. Um but um yeah, I don’t I don’t think Robert Suarez or any of the top market guys are probably going to end up being Cubs. Another guy I noted was Ryan Stenick, who wasn’t great last year, but he throws really hard, which the Cubs have seemingly started to drift towards in the last couple seasons. Um, they’ve had some hard throws out of the bullpen. Like I said, he throws hard, but he gets hit hard. Um, he had a 5-3 RA and threw 65 games last year. So maybe a reclamation project depending on the price. Um, other than that, I’m not really sure where they would go, but yeah, I would say probably my favorite candidate would just to be bring Brad Keller for next year. Yeah, I like Keller. I also would be interested in a reunion with Fieldbar andor Pomerance. I’ve also always liked Kenley Jansen. Yeah, I appreciated you saying that. Uh, they they have officially been connected to Stannic as as you I’m sure you know. Okay. Yeah. running running the the Wrigleywire account. Uh I have 14 players on my uh notes app, Carson, that the Cubs have officially been connected connected to by official reports. Would you like to hear the 14? Sure. Yeah, let’s hear it. Uh, Emi, King, Gallon, Keller, Theelbar, Pomerance, Fairbanks, Stannic, uh, Milner, uh, Robert Suarez, Bregman, Au, Heno Suarez, Marakami, and Akamoto. So, yeah, it’s nice that they’re interested. Uh, hopefully something pans out, right? Yeah. So, all right. We’re going to keep track of that here as the month rolls along here on Lockdown Cubs. And coming up next, uh setting aside a possible timeline, we’re going to do a little bit of a progress check and our our current feelings on uh the Cubs and this off season. Stay tuned. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. NFL Sundays move fast. One big play and suddenly everything feels different. That’s what makes live betting with FanDuel so exciting. You’re not just watching the game, you’re reacting to it in real time. 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[email protected]. Uh if you want to be on the show but can’t be with us live, also send me an email at that same address and uh with a video attached of two minutes or less if you want to be on uh we want to have as many listeners as possible on the stream. Really we we don’t even need an end time. We say seven to nine, but we could go really for uh for as long as we want to. And that’s a listener celebration event. This will be our fourth one in a row since taking over in July of 22. So, we’re excited about that. And uh and Carson, hopefully you could be a part of that as well. So, um what’s what’s your like your process running the Wrigleywire account? Are you just reading all the time, listening to stuff? Yeah, I do a lot of looking through different beat riders. Um, you know, MLB writers. I do a lot of reading. Uh, just trying to find any connection, any rumor that I can break down a little bit and give some insight on because a lot of people don’t, you know, go on to the Athletic and read what Patrick Mooney wrote or whatever. Like, they don’t they don’t have time for that. So, if I can take something like that, take a little nugget and break it down, uh, put a little bit more short form, I think that makes it a lot more easy for people to have access to. And, um, so yeah. Yeah. Fantastic. Well, we’ll see how the off season moves along. I uh, of course, I would want to have more action happen this week. It didn’t. You know, last last year was uh, heavy heavy action. The Kyle Tucker trade was made on the Friday of Winter Meetings week. Carson Kelly signed on the same day. Matthew Boyd signed like 10 days before that. Um, I think there’s still a chance there could be activity, you know, before Christmas or before the new year. Um, but also maybe not. So, setting aside a possible timeline, whether that happens tomorrow, January, February, whatever, what is your feeling right now? What you think the Cubs are going to do specific or general? What do you think happens? Um, speaking generally, I think they’re going to get a starting pitcher, okay, that can slide in at the one or two. If I had to guess who it was, I’d say probably one of the two trades that we discussed earlier. Um, John Haymon seems to think that the Cubs are one of the favorites to land EMI. So, I guess that’s a possibility, too. But if that doesn’t happen, I mean, that market is going to be very competitive. I think a lot of money. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, so yeah, I would say if I had to guess, I would say one of those two guys that we discussed earlier. And I think they’re going to get a bat. I think I just don’t looking at the offense next year, it’s a lot of relying on overperformance or breakout because you’re going to have Casey getting at bats and Beros getting at bats and then you’re I guess the hope is that you have second half Matt Shaw all of 2026 or most of 2026. Um, and that could be a good lineup. I just don’t know. There’s no certainty in it. And so I do think they’ll get a bat. Whether that’s Breman or Suarez, I don’t I don’t know if it’ll be Suarez or not. I’m not huge on him. um or maybe even Okamoto. Um I think that could be a good fit. Yeah, he tore it up in Japan, but um I also don’t know really what that contract looks like and that would also create a little bit of a weird dynamic with Shaw. So yeah, I think I think they’ll get a good bat and I think they’ll get a young controllable starting pitcher. Okay. Well, that would be that would be encouraging. I don’t know where that would put their projection. Uh the current roster right now on fan graphs is projected for 82 wins. Uh you know that that leaves room to be desired, but we know that moves are going to be made. And uh yeah, I mean if it’s like King Aamoto and Stanic um I I could see why why that would be a sizable off season. given their constraints and maybe some uncertainty with the sport. Uh it’s it’s not big moves but but they would be they would be impact ones for sure. So definitely um yeah it’s a uh it really is a wait and see time. U is is it ideal for for baseball? know what happened this week, but it also not like it’s not like it was dormant. You know, things did happen. Um and uh and so yeah, we’ll we’ll wait and see. Uh Carson, the Wrigleywire, uh Count on X. Is there anywhere else we can find you? Anything else you’re that you’re you’re planning? Um and thank you so much for joining us. Yeah, thank you for having me. Um I’ve also I’m not as active anywhere as I am on Twitter. Uh, but I do post on Instagram from time to time. Uh, Tik Tok and also YouTube. I just started. Uh, it’s all under the wriggly wire. Awesome. All right, Carson, let’s talk again soon. Yeah, sounds good. Thank you for having me. All right. Thank you for making Lockdown Cubs your first listen of the day. For those of you on video, we send you to the 247 National Locked On Network YouTube channel. And on audio, make sure your second listen is locked on MLB. He’s Carson Wolf. I’m Matt Cozy. This is Locked on Cubs. Go Cubs.

Matt and Carson Wolf from The Wrigley Wire discuss the starting pitcher puzzle and how the Cubs are involved. Plus: Do the Cubs preferred plans this offseason seem more or less clear following the winter meetings?

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