The Rundown: ‘Bet the Under’ on Cubs Splashes, Bellinger Gets Second Yanks Offer, Donnie Baseball Joins Phils

A pair of Japanese players in whom the Cubs had interest came off the board in quick succession, punctuating what has to this point been a pretty underwhelming winter for Jed Hoyer and his front office. While the moves Hoyer has made are easily defended, maybe even lauded, it’s what he hasn’t done yet that’s got fans feeling antsy. Aside from their usual checking in on everyone, nothing has been done to strengthen a decidedly uninspiring rotation or to replace Kyle Tucker‘s production.

The best way to address those needs is by trading for an impact starter and signing a big bat, but that would mean the Cubs have to step way out of their comfort zone. A trade for anyone who can slot into the top half of the rotation requires the stones to deal from an already weak farm system, and just about any difference-making hitter is represented by Scott Boras. So were Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto, by the way, and both signed deals that look on paper like something the Cubs could have done.

Imai’s structure was certainly less amenable due to the early opt-out, especially for a Cubs team that will already be losing Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and possibly Matthew Boyd to free agency after the coming season. Okamoto, however, brought proven power in NPB with a strong plate approach and the defensive versatility to handle multiple corner spots. The Blue Jays are simply hungrier and presented a better opportunity for preferred playing time.

Toronto is also coming off a World Series run and has shown its commitment to getting back by signing Dylan Cease and more this winter. The Cubs, on the other hand, have rebuilt their bullpen and added a little-known bench bat. Pending some big moves to come, the team’s biggest appeal to fans will come in what figures to be a yearlong celebration of the 2016 World Series.

Why prioritize the present when you can revel in the past, amirite? It’s not just fans who’re struggling with the pace and direction of the Cubs’ offseason, as Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon laid out in The Athletic. Zac Britton is a possibility on the pitching front and Alex Bregman continues to be mentioned, though the Red Sox have reportedly made an “aggressive offer.” The Cubs have also checked in on Cody Bellinger, who is viewed as the Yankees’ top priority and reportedly received a second offer from them.

The Cubs have spent slightly more than $30 million on five free-agent relievers and brought first baseman Tyler Austin back from Japan for $1.25 million,” reads the recent Athletic column. “But if they want to avoid a fan uprising at the Cubs Convention Jan. 16 to 18, at least one splash is necessary…

“Based on their recent history, it’s probably best to bet the under.”

I’m on record as saying that I don’t believe Bregman will provide nearly the lift that more optimistic folks project, especially not for $32 million a year, but at least signing him is doing something. Hoyer seems to run the offseason like he’s shopping on eBay, just searching for a deal that’s almost too good to be true and backing out of any auctions as soon as they get past his set limit. That’ll net you some great bargains, but it’s no way to land what you really need to put you over the top.

To that end, he’s also not being given the kind of budget that allows him to push beyond what might otherwise be reasonable limits. Marquee Sports Network hasn’t produced wheelbarrows full of cash for Crane Kenney to dump in Hoyer’s office, and the World Series anniversary provides a wealth of nostalgic leeway to help the Cubs squeeze cash from fans even if the product on the field doesn’t do the trick. And hey, maybe Hoyer does manage to pull off a coup or two between now and spring training.

Until that happens, however, it looks like the aggressiveness he showed in trading for Tucker last offseason has given way to his more traditional pragmatism following his extension as the Cubs’ baseball boss. Prove me wrong, Jed.

More News and Notes

• Former Cubs reliever Scott Effross, who was traded to the Yankees for Hayden Wesneski, has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers. That’s weird because I have been told many times that only the Cubs make moves like that.
• Royals manager Matt Quatraro has inked a three-year extension in KC.
• The Pirates are reportedly interested in former Reds standout Eugenio Suarez, though this sounds like yet another instance of them acting like they’re trying. Must be an NL Central thing.
• One report I saw last night had that Bellinger offer at something like five years and $160 million, which is exactly what another report had the BoSox offering Bregman. It was not from an immediately reputable outlet, so I didn’t search too hard for it this morning.
• After serving on Toronto’s staff this past season, Don Mattingly has joined the Phillies as bench coach. His son, Preston, is the team’s GM.
• Rosenthal and Sammon report that Boston remains in the mix for Bo Bichette and that the Sox have shown interest in Freddy Peralta.
• The Yankees are also interested in trading for Peralta, either along with or in addition to Edward Cabrera.

90s Notalgia Bomb

It’s not just the Cubs who will be relying on fans’ wistfulness this year, as evidenced by my weekend plans. Vanilla Ice is headlining the I Love the 90s Tour, which also features Rob Base, Color Me Badd, C+C Music Factory, and Young MC. My understanding is that each artist is only playing a 3-4 song set, which is perfect. The only problem is that I’ll miss the first half of the Bears game.

I’ll be in Chicago for Cubs Convention the following weekend, and I will have my son with me for the first time. Gonna be a quick hitter for us, just Friday night and Saturday morning, but that’s typically the portion of the weekend I enjoy the most anyway.

Sorry for the abbreviated post today, gotta run.