(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)   When the Chicago Cubs signed Seiya Suzuki ahead of the 2022 season, big things were expected of him. He had been a monster in his native Japan, after all. Then, in 2022 and 2023, he returned wRC+ (a stat that assesses offensive performance relative to the league average) finishes of 116 and 126, respectively. While that’s comfortably above-average, those who watched him in Japan know he is capable of much more. Maybe 2024 is the season in which he puts it all together and fully breaks out. If his spring training performance is any indication, he is pri ..read more

(Photo by Romain Maurice/Getty Images for InList)   For years, Sammy Sosa was the talk of the league. He was one of the main reasons behind fans regaining interest in the game thanks to his exciting home-run record chase in 1998, and his immense exhibitions of power afterwards. However, he has had a cold relationship with Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts over the years, in large part because he hasn’t apologized for his involvement in the PED (performance-enhancing drug) era. By the look of things, however, there could be changes coming soon. “Sosa, asked if there’s any talk between him an ..read more

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   The Chicago Cubs made a considerable investment to bring in Craig Counsell as their new manager. They already had a solid skipper under contract in David Ross, but they thought Counsell could really make a difference and brought him to Chicago. Now that he has had some time to get his feet wet with the franchise and his new players, Counsell talked with the folks at MLB Network about his time in front of the clubhouse, developing relationships, and other things related to his job. “I’m having a lot of fun… getting to know a lot of new people and st ..read more

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   After months of rumors and negotiations, the Chicago Cubs are bringing back their best player of the 2023 season. Outfielder Cody Bellinger, who had an amazing rebound campaign, is back on a three-year, $80 million deal. The deal is flexible for both sides: it’s not an extremely long commitment for the Cubs to absorb in case of injury or underperformance, and the player will have not one, but two opt-out clauses: one after 2024, and the other one after 2025. Cubs insider Jesse Rogers shared his opinion on the agreement and called it a “great deal ..read more

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)   The Chicago Cubs’ offseason didn’t start on the right foot. They stood idly by as other contenders signed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Sonny Gray, Teoscar Hernandez, and many other difference-makers. They secured the services of manager Craig Counsell, but when it comes to actual players, they got off to something of a late start. Once they woke up, however, they made sure to add talent to their squad. In January, they added talented Japanese starter Shota Imanaga, plus relievers Hector Neris and Yency Almonte and talented young hitter Michael Bu ..read more

(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)   The weekend brought some great news for Chicago Cubs fans. It took the whole winter and some of the spring, but they were finally able to re-sign slugger Cody Bellinger. The center fielder put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth $80 million. The pact will also include opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons. The former NL MVP award winner was the best player on a Cubs team that was one game away from making the postseason. Chicago has acquired a top manager in Craig Counsell and employs talented hitters like Christopher Morel, Seiya S ..read more

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)   Spring training games are officially underway. The Los Angeles Dodgers demolished the San Diego Padres, 14-1, in the first official spring game on Thursday. For Friday, fans have multiple options to choose from. The Chicago Cubs are playing the Chicago White Sox, and Christopher Morel didn’t waste much time letting the league know that he intends to keep mashing. Talkin’ Baseball posted a clip with his huge home run from Friday, against veteran Jesse Chavez. Christopher Morel WAY GONE pic.twitter.com/T42RmKo30X — Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) Febr ..read more

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)   In this MLB free-agent market, those who pounced on offers in November and December got a considerable amount of money. Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Sonny Gray, Jung-Hoo Lee, and several others got paid handsomely. Those who decided to wait until January, like Marcus Stroman, got good money, but were considered a bargain signing. And of course we have those who haven’t signed to this point, the ones who were never happy with the offers made to them and are still holding out hope to get what they want even though most teams have already spent ..read more

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)   Justin Steele had an impressive 2023. He developed and blossomed into the Chicago Cubs’ ace, even positioning himself as a Cy Young award candidate. After watching him put up a 3.06 ERA in 173.1 innings last year, we would say he knows a thing or two about pitching. With that being the case, you should believe it when he says that another pitcher is incredibly talented. Or, as he put it himself: “filthy.” He used that adjective to describe his new rotation mate Shota Imanaga after watching one of his bullpens. “I watched Shōta Imanaga throw a bullpen ..read more

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)   The Chicago Cubs recently announced the signing of relief pitcher Hector Neris. The former Philadelphia Phillie and Houston Astro had the season of his life in 2023, with a 1.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 68.1 innings. That season earned him a nice payday. MLB insider Jon Heyman explained some details of Neris’ deal with the Cubs. “Hector Neris, Cubs: $9M/1 plus option. $9M – 2024. Club option 2025: $9M. Option becomes Player option if (a) 60g pitched or 45gf in 2024 AND (b) Player is not on IL final game in 2024 AND (c) Player is determined to not h ..read more