Michael Ernst
@mjernst.bsky.social
Used to write about the Cubs.
Still post about the Cubs, as well as the Hawks and Bears.
Still post about the Cubs, as well as the Hawks and Bears.
Minnesota has never been aggressive before this year.
They couldn't just stop after the Kaprizov extension. They had to do something to try to advance beyond the 1st round in the playoffs. They'll have shots the next two years with Hughes. Wouldn't be shocked to see them trade for a C at the TDL.
They couldn't just stop after the Kaprizov extension. They had to do something to try to advance beyond the 1st round in the playoffs. They'll have shots the next two years with Hughes. Wouldn't be shocked to see them trade for a C at the TDL.
December 13, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Minnesota has never been aggressive before this year.
They couldn't just stop after the Kaprizov extension. They had to do something to try to advance beyond the 1st round in the playoffs. They'll have shots the next two years with Hughes. Wouldn't be shocked to see them trade for a C at the TDL.
They couldn't just stop after the Kaprizov extension. They had to do something to try to advance beyond the 1st round in the playoffs. They'll have shots the next two years with Hughes. Wouldn't be shocked to see them trade for a C at the TDL.
And frees up more trade assets for the Orioles in trade negotiations for a SP (the same SPs the Cubs are after).
December 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
And frees up more trade assets for the Orioles in trade negotiations for a SP (the same SPs the Cubs are after).
Cubs are going to add one of them. I'm sure.
Regardless of who, there'll be plenty of room for 2nd guessing that the right move was for a different guy.
But why I'm not concerned is Cubs already have SP depth. So if they do make the wrong choice, it shouldn't be disastrous. Just need to take swing.
Regardless of who, there'll be plenty of room for 2nd guessing that the right move was for a different guy.
But why I'm not concerned is Cubs already have SP depth. So if they do make the wrong choice, it shouldn't be disastrous. Just need to take swing.
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Cubs are going to add one of them. I'm sure.
Regardless of who, there'll be plenty of room for 2nd guessing that the right move was for a different guy.
But why I'm not concerned is Cubs already have SP depth. So if they do make the wrong choice, it shouldn't be disastrous. Just need to take swing.
Regardless of who, there'll be plenty of room for 2nd guessing that the right move was for a different guy.
But why I'm not concerned is Cubs already have SP depth. So if they do make the wrong choice, it shouldn't be disastrous. Just need to take swing.
It's just not worth stressing over at this point. Cubs should end up with plenty of options and flexibility for SP next offseason barring disaster. But which specific guys out of the group? Who knows right now.
December 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
It's just not worth stressing over at this point. Cubs should end up with plenty of options and flexibility for SP next offseason barring disaster. But which specific guys out of the group? Who knows right now.
So much can happen between then and now, especially on the SP. Not just with the health/workload for Boyd/Taillon, but in regards to how well Horton/Wiggins progress, plus how does Steele's look.
Also could depend on what SP Cubs add this offseason.
Cabrera w/3 years, Gore w/2, or sign a UFA to 3+?
Also could depend on what SP Cubs add this offseason.
Cabrera w/3 years, Gore w/2, or sign a UFA to 3+?
December 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
So much can happen between then and now, especially on the SP. Not just with the health/workload for Boyd/Taillon, but in regards to how well Horton/Wiggins progress, plus how does Steele's look.
Also could depend on what SP Cubs add this offseason.
Cabrera w/3 years, Gore w/2, or sign a UFA to 3+?
Also could depend on what SP Cubs add this offseason.
Cabrera w/3 years, Gore w/2, or sign a UFA to 3+?
I may be wrong on that. I thought I remembered that Seiya would be arb. But there may be an exception for posted IFA players.
Cubs could easily QO one or both of Seiya/Happ though. And that could lead to one taking it, or suppressing their UFA market and lead to an extension.
Cubs could easily QO one or both of Seiya/Happ though. And that could lead to one taking it, or suppressing their UFA market and lead to an extension.
December 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I may be wrong on that. I thought I remembered that Seiya would be arb. But there may be an exception for posted IFA players.
Cubs could easily QO one or both of Seiya/Happ though. And that could lead to one taking it, or suppressing their UFA market and lead to an extension.
Cubs could easily QO one or both of Seiya/Happ though. And that could lead to one taking it, or suppressing their UFA market and lead to an extension.
Seiya isn't a UFA. His contract ends, but he'd be arb-3.
December 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Seiya isn't a UFA. His contract ends, but he'd be arb-3.
I presume they want Wiggins or Rojas in addition to Caissie. Wiggins likely not available. May come down to whether another team offers a better package than Caissie/Rojas
Don't necessarily need to extend Happ. Suzuki has 2 years of team control. PCA more. Alcantara + Conrad/Kepley could move quick
Don't necessarily need to extend Happ. Suzuki has 2 years of team control. PCA more. Alcantara + Conrad/Kepley could move quick
December 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I presume they want Wiggins or Rojas in addition to Caissie. Wiggins likely not available. May come down to whether another team offers a better package than Caissie/Rojas
Don't necessarily need to extend Happ. Suzuki has 2 years of team control. PCA more. Alcantara + Conrad/Kepley could move quick
Don't necessarily need to extend Happ. Suzuki has 2 years of team control. PCA more. Alcantara + Conrad/Kepley could move quick
Cubs have had prospect laden AA/AAA clubs the last 2 years, but many have now graduated, been traded, or stalled. The pitching dev side also going through a transition.
There are a ton of position player roster holes in AA/AAA and I also expect Cubs to add multiple P in AAA phase of Rule 5 Draft.
There are a ton of position player roster holes in AA/AAA and I also expect Cubs to add multiple P in AAA phase of Rule 5 Draft.
December 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Cubs have had prospect laden AA/AAA clubs the last 2 years, but many have now graduated, been traded, or stalled. The pitching dev side also going through a transition.
There are a ton of position player roster holes in AA/AAA and I also expect Cubs to add multiple P in AAA phase of Rule 5 Draft.
There are a ton of position player roster holes in AA/AAA and I also expect Cubs to add multiple P in AAA phase of Rule 5 Draft.