The Winter Meetings are underway in National Harbor and it figures to be an incredibly busy week around the game.
The Cubs are looking for pitching, pitching and more pitching this off-season. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer would like to add starters and relievers and have been connected to several teams on possible deals that could be made over the next four-plus days.
MLB and the MLBPA reached an agreement on a new CBA and details of the new labor agreement were released.
The Cubs tendered contracts to four players, non-tendered four other players and signed a left-handed reliever. The Cubs’ 40-man roster has five open spots and stands at 35 players.
Here are the headlines from the last four-plus days packed with all the news, notes and rumors to get you caught up before the action really gets started at the Winter Meetings …
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 12/01/16
Tom continued his series of reports on each position in the Cubs’ system. There is a lot of talent in center field throughout the organization with Albert Almora Jr. leading the way.
To find out all about the depth in center field in the organization, click on the link.
MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement
Major League Baseball and the Players Association reached agreement on a new CBA prior to the Dec. 1 deadline. Details of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement surfaced before the MLBPA sent out a release that covered a majority of baseball’s new labor agreement.
Those that would like to know about MLB’s new CBA should click on the links and read up … there are a lot of details that have yet to hit the Twitter machine.
- Major League Baseball’s Disabled List Reduced to 10 Days
- All-Star Game Will No Longer Determine Home Field Advantage in The World Series
- MLB, MLBPA Announce Details of New Collective Bargaining Agreement
Report: Cubs Would Like to Bring Back Travis Wood
Travis Wood was the longest tenured player on the Cubs’ roster when the season ended. Wood has been with the Cubs almost since day one of the Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer administration. Wood has played a big role in the team’s success over the past two seasons and in the Cubs run to The World Series Championship.
Wood is a free agent and would like to start again. The Cubs view Wood as a reliever/swingman at this point of his career and would like to bring him back. If Wood cannot find the right spot for him, he could circle back to the Cubs and return on a multi-year contract.
Dexter Fowler Reportedly Looking for $18 Million Per Year
Dexter Fowler is looking for a multi-year contract and his agents believe they can land him a deal with an $18 million AAV according to Jon Heyman.
The Cubs will not close the door on Fowler returning, even with the recent signing of Jon Jay to pair with Albert Almora Jr. in center field.
Fowler is garnering a lot of attention, especially from the Cardinals, Rangers and Blue Jays. The Nationals and Giants are also in the mix according to multiple reports.
Dexter Fowler helped the Cubs win 200 games the last two seasons and most-importantly a World Series Championship. His days with the Cubs appear to be over though.
The Daily CCO: Tender Deadline, MLB Increases Minimum Salary and Other Cubs News
Friday was the deadline for teams to tender contracts to players for 2017, just the start of what is expected to be a very interesting and hectic week around the game.
Major League Baseball increased the minimum salary to $535,000, up from $507,500 this past season. And there are per year increases built in the new CBA.
Jon Jay talked about why he chose the Cubs. And Jon Lester had a little fun on Twitter.
News around the league had the Cardinals shipping Jaime Garcia out of St. Louis and Justin Wilson becoming very popular for a left-handed option out of the bullpen.
Pat Hughes’ latest CD is available and Sports Illustrated dropped the ball.
The Daily Report includes all of the news, notes, rumors and links and as always the very popular This Day in Cubstory.
Cubs 2016 Position Reviews
Chris wrapped up his in-depth look at each position of the World Series Champions with review of the Cubs’ bullpen.
Most would be surprised at the relievers that led the Cubs in appearances during the championship season.
Those that missed any of Chris’ reports can click on the links … well worth your time to look back at the best Cubs’ season of all time.
- Catcher
- First Base
- Second Base
- Third Base
- Shortstop
- Left Field
- Center Field
- Right Field
- Starting Rotation
- Bullpen
From the Wire: Cubs Sign Lefty Brian Duensing
The Cubs added a left-handed specialist to the bullpen just before the deadline for teams to offer contracts to their players for the 2017 season.
Duensing inked a one-year, $2 million contract to earn a spot in the bullpen and get left-handers out when Joe Maddon calls his number.
Cubs Tender Contracts to Four, Non-Tender Four and Reduce 40-Man Roster
As expected, the Cubs tendered contracts to Jake Arrieta, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm for next season. The Cubs did not offer contracts to four players … Christian Villanueva, Gerardo Concepcion, Zac Rosscup and Conor Mullee.
With the addition of Brian Duensing and the subtraction of four players, the Cubs’ 40-man roster stands at 35 players.
Padres Non-Tender RHP Tyson Ross
The Padres continued the string of questionable decisions Friday when A.J. Preller did not offer a contract to Tyson Ross for next season. Preller said he tried to trade Ross but coming off surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome and with only one year of control left, he said he could not find any takers.
Instead of trying to get something for Ross during the season, the Padres basically cut ties with their Opening Day starter.
The Cubs are expected to try to sign Tyson Ross now that he’s a free agent.
The Daily CCO: Cubs Exploring All Relief Options and Other News and Rumors
The Cubs have been connected to Kenley Jansen as the front office explores ways to add relievers to Joe Maddon’s roster. If the Cubs do not sign Jansen, which is not expected, there could be a deal made for Wade Davis, A.J. Ramos or Alex Colome. Free agent Greg Holland is also a possibility.
Welington Castillo was one of 35 players not offered contracts for next season.
LeBron James honored his bet with Dwayne Wade and there are photos to prove it.
The Daily Report includes all of the news, notes, rumors and video along with This Day in Cubs History.
Report: Miguel Montero Wants to Return to the Cubs
Miguel Montero delivered at the plate in the postseason with two huge hits, the Grand Slam in Game 1 of the NLCS and the bases loaded single in the 10th inning of Game 7 of The World Series that plated Anthony Rizzo with the run that was the difference in the championship.
The Cubs do not win The World Series without Miguel Montero, much less the 200 games the past two seasons. Montero helped change the culture in the clubhouse and the pitching staff into one of the best in the game.
Montero speaks his mind and is not happy about his lack of playing time. Montero is under contract for one more season and wants to return to the Cubs.
The Daily CCO: Let the Meetings Begin and Other Cubs News and Rumors
Rumors picked up as the industry made their way to Washington DC. The Cubs are focused on adding pitching, both starters and relievers, and have been linked to free agents and teams in possible trades.
Tyson Ross was believed to be high on the Cubs list a day after being non-tendered.
The market started heating up for the big three of Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon.
And another ESPN scribe linked the Cubs to Chris Archer.
The Daily Report includes updates on Jason Hammel, Carlos Beltran, Welington Castillo, Rich Hill and all of the news, notes, links and rumors … Plus, of course, This Day in Cubstory.