The Chicago Cubs have certainly made waves this offseason with some bold moves that have the baseball world buzzing. While they didn't make the most moves, the ones they did make could be game-changers.
The headline grabber? Alex Bregman, who inked a $175 million deal to don the Cubs' blue, leaving behind his Boston roots. Not stopping there, the Cubs also brought back Shota Imanaga and made an assertive trade for Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.
Now, these aren't just flashy moves-they're calculated risks. ESPN's David Schoenfield gives the Cubs' offseason a solid "B" grade. It's a nod to their ambition, though there's a lingering worry that the players they parted with might come back to haunt them.
Schoenfield describes the Cubs' approach with one word: aggressive. The Bregman signing, for instance, is a bold move by a front office eager to capture their first full-season division title since 2017. With Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner already in the infield, Bregman is an upgrade, but it does create a bit of a traffic jam.
The Cabrera trade follows the same aggressive theme, with the Cubs sending top prospect Owen Caissie to Miami. Trading six years of Caissie’s power potential for three years of Cabrera-a talented but injury-prone starter-was a gutsy call.
While these moves undeniably boost the Cubs' roster, they aren't without their downsides. Losing Caissie and the infield congestion are real concerns. Plus, with Kyle Tucker's departure, there's pressure on these new additions to fill the void.
Earning a "B" grade reflects a strong offseason, but the inherent risks kept it from being higher. The Cubs are taking big swings, and while there's plenty of reason for optimism, a touch of caution is warranted as well.