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Cubs News

What comes next for the Cubs this offseason?

3 weeks agoAndy Martinez

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training in exactly three weeks, Jed Hoyer and his front office know the Cubs roster is far from complete.

They’ve added volume in their bullpen but aren’t satisfied there.

The bench has received a facelift, but it’s not a finished group.

“I think we’ve [got] tons of lines in the water, I would say, and it’s a little bit of a staring contest at times with all these guys,” the Cubs president of baseball operations said on Friday night. “But like I said, there’s a lot of talent out there, and we’ll just look to upgrade the roster however we can.”

The Cubs made their big splash of the offseason last month, when they made a blockbuster trade to acquire Kyle Tucker from the Astros, adding the superstar presence they were missing in the middle of the lineup.

But the back of the Cubs bullpen could use a lockdown force at the back of games.

Porter Hodge emerged as the team’s closer in his rookie campaign, racking up 9 saves. But as the Cubs saw with Adbert Alzolay and other expected key bullpen pieces in 2024, they are volatile and assuming success year over year for a young arm isn’t a guarantee.

[WATCH: Jed Hoyer explains his goals for rest of offseason]

The Cubs want to add more proven depth in that area — even if it’s not a bonafide closer.

The Cubs were linked to reliever Tanner Scott by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi on Friday, but he came off the board on Sunday morning, when he agreed to a 4-year, $72 million contract with the Dodgers. A reliever with a proven track record would help the squad.

“I think quality relievers,” Hoyer said. “Sometimes those guys have closed, sometimes they haven’t. It never hurts, but I don’t think it’s a prerequisite.”

Their bench, too, has room for improvement.

Gone are Mike Tauchman, Patrick Wisdom, Miles Mastrobuoni, Nick Madrigal and Christian Bethancourt and in are Gage Workman (a Rule 5 pick from Detroit), Vidal Bruján (acquired from Miami in a trade) and Carson Kelly (free agent). Outfield prospect Alexander Canario — who is out of minor league options — is also primed for a spot on Counsell’s bench.

And the Cubs have a ton of intriguing prospects knocking on the door at Triple-A. But that doesn’t mean their supplemental roster spots on the 26-man roster will come entirely from their current in-house options.

“We’ll continue to look at it. I mean, both on and off our 40, I think we have a ton of young talent that’s almost ready,” Hoyer said. “I don’t think you want to have those guys on the bench. I think letting those guys play in Triple-A and having other players take those roles.

“When we have injuries, we’ll plug in a top-100 prospect at most positions, which I feel great about. But as far as building a bench, I think you have to look at guys that have done that in the past, or more veteran guys.”

[Watch the full Baseball Operations panel with Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins]

In an ideal world, the Cubs would like to find a veteran free agent that can play some third base. Top prospect Matt Shaw will have a clear runway to earn the Opening Day role at the hot corner, but young players often struggle in their first taste of the majors, so adding options there is a priority.

“There’s certain players out there, and then players that potentially will be on the trade market that we’ll look at,” general manager Carter Hawkins said on Saturday. “Just try to continue bringing guys that play multiple positions in the infield, give us that depth, and guys that would have experience of being able to play a major league season and just giving those different alternatives.”

That player also could fill another hole on the team — backup first baseman. Beyond Michael Busch, the only other option on the 40-man roster with experience at the position is Bruján, who has played a third of an inning in the big leagues there.

“I think that would be more likely in a minor league free agency type deal or potentially a small trade,” Hawkins added. “But there’s a lot of guys out there that can play first base at the major league level that if we had to dip into that, we would consider it.”

That will be a work in progress until Feb. 9.

“We’re definitely focused on the bullpen, focused on our bench,” Hoyer said. “Try to supplement the roster as much as we can the rest of the way.

“A lot of good players are still out there, and we’ll probably be working on that until we report and maybe even after that.”

Catch the entire Kids Only Press Conference from Saturday at Cubs Convention.

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