What Grade Did the Chicago Cubs Receive for Their Offseason Moves?
The Chicago Cubs had an offseason that wasn't flashy on paper, but had some moves that could set them up for a lot of success.
It may have not been as exciting that some fans wanted as the Cubs were in the running for some big names like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto and lost out. However, it wasn't a bad offseason by any means. More sensible moves than splashy.
Bringing Cody Bellinger back was a key move. His first year in the club went very well with him snagging a Silver Slugger.
He signed a three-year, $80 million deal. It's the fifth-highest contract on average for an outfielder. A lot of money, but he is a crucial part of the lineup and has earned it.
The biggest new addition this offseason was 30-year-old Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga. The star lefty has had a sub-3.00 earned run average for the last three seasons in the NBL and all but two seasons overall since 2016.
Bringing in Imanaga was crucial after they lost their former ace Marcus Stroman to the Yankees. Even if Imanaga doesn't match the success that Stroman had these last two seasons, it shouldn't be much a of a fall-off. In the long-term it may be a better pay off.
If Imanaga transitions well to the MLB game and keeps his production near where it was in Japan, this would be a home run signing at $53 million over four years.
They continued adding to the pitching staff by bringing Hector Neris to the bullpen on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old reliever has spent the last two seasons in Houston. His ERA was up to 3.83 last season after a stellar 2022 down at 2.35. He is likely in line to for save opportunities.
The only trade they made this season is another that could end up being a key move, but was also a bit of a risk.
The Cubs traded prospects Jackson Ferris (their No. 8 prospect) and Zhyir Hope to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Michael Busch and Yency Almonte.
Busch could be the first baseman of the future, but he doesn't have much MLB experience. In 27 games last seasons he had a .167 batting average with two homers and seven runs batted in. In addition to Busch, they brought in veteran Garrett Cooper to supplement first base.
The club changed managers as well, giving Craig Counsell a record contract to get him away from the rival Milwaukee Brewers where he has been since 2015. David Ross had not let the team to a division title since 2020 and they felt that it was time to move on.
All told, this could be a more important offseason that it seems on the surface.
Offseason Grade: B
