Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 28, 2025
Today, in addition to making the Ryan Pressly trade official, the Cubs also made the Jon Berti signing official. The 35-year-old utility man may wind up being the biggest addition to the Cubs’ bench, and we discussed his signing earlier here and here. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs have designated infielder Luis Vazquez for assignment. They’ll have a week to trade, waive, or release Vazquez. The…
Chicago Cubs
Bryan Smith
•Jan 28, 2025
Hi there. It’s been a minute! My name is Bryan, and I used to be a regular in this space, breaking down the minor leagues. I’ve been out of the writing game for the last year, and while I’m set to stay on the bench for 2025, I asked our BN overlords if they might have interest in an old friend’s Cubs prospect rankings. They did, I hope you might,…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 28, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds have made another addition after a long bit of quiet, signing outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year, $5 million deal, per Ken Rosenthal. Hays, 29, was a solid starting-ish outfielder for the Orioles from 2021-23 (.261/.313/.439/108 wRC+, could play all three spots passably), and was off to a typical start in 2024 when he was traded to the Phillies. Unfortunately, he dealt with a serious kidney infection…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 28, 2025
Although the league is not free from some of the challenges facing the non-NFL sports leagues and many entertainment operations in general, it’s still a very good time for Major League Baseball overall. As Maury Brown of Forbes reports, it was another record year for the league, topping $12 billion in revenues for the first time: https://bsky.app/profile/bizballmaury.bsky.social/post/3lgqu6u7hl22q Per Forbes, league gross revenues were in the $10 billion to $11 billion…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 28, 2025
The Ryan Pressly trade is now officially official, announced today by the Chicago Cubs. The team is getting a veteran reliever with closing experience, as well as enough cash to bring his deal down to a below-market one-year, $8.5 million. In exchange, they give up pitching prospect Juan Bello, who had great success at Low-A this year, but on whom folks definitely disagree about future projections. The Cubs probably underpaid,…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 28, 2025
I have, for months now, found the resurgence of the R word in public discourse to be as concerning as it is painful. My daughter has an intellectual disability. When you call someone the R word to insult them as being stupid, your joke is effectively: “omg dude, you are as dumb as this guy’s daughter!” This beautiful, innocent, smart girl, made into a slur that people are giddy to…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 27, 2025
I don’t know the extent to which the Chicago Cubs are going to want to go so in on 2025 as to justify a second huge trade for one year of a player, but I think it’s worth noting that the San Diego Padres have reportedly discussed not only Dylan Cease in trade talks (mentioned before), but also Michael King. Both pitchers are 29, both pitchers were outstanding in 2024,…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 27, 2025
Whether it’s because he was not necessarily a top prospect to everyone, or he underperformed his peripherals in the big leagues, or his multiple injuries last year, it feels like Jordan Wicks is the could-be Cubs starting pitcher who gets the least attention this offseason. Let me give him a little attention today. You have the guys who are obviously mainstays (Justin Steele, Shōta Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon), you have…
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 27, 2025
Over the last few days, we got two more top-100 prospect lists that do a very good job showing the wide divide on opinions about the Cubs’ top group. You have MLB Pipeline with a whopping seven Cubs prospects still in the top-100: https://bsky.app/profile/bastianmlb.bsky.social/post/3lgliqnfvmc25 No. 19: 3B Matt ShawNo. 52: RHP Cade HortonNo. 54: OF Owen CaissieNo. 69: C Moises BallesterosNo. 73: INF James TriantosNo. 90: OF Kevin Alcántara No….
Chicago Cubs
Brett Taylor
•Jan 27, 2025
Over the weekend, with some fine-detail negotiations required both with the Astros and with the player, the Cubs reportedly finalized a deal that will send Ryan Pressly, plus $5.5 million in salary relief, to Chicago in exchange for pitching prospect Juan Bello. Pressly had no-trade rights, a happy home situation for his young family, and an advantageous state tax setup. So, among other particulars in the deal, the Cubs and…
