Cubs GM Carter Hawkins talked about adding incremental wins back in December, and the machinations of this offseason prove that’s the team’s strategy to reach a 90-win projection. Chicago netted at least two wins by replacing Cody Bellinger and Isaac Paredes with Kyle Tucker and, presumably, Matt Shaw. The front office also replaced Kyle Hendricks with Matthew Boyd and revamped … [Read more...] about The Rundown: Hoyer Improving Team Incrementally, Turner Provides 1B Depth, MLB Testing Automated Ball-Strike System
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Cubs sign third baseman Justin Turner
The Chicago Cubs have signed third baseman Justin Turner of Long Beach, California to a one year deal according to Leo Morgenstern of MLB Trade Rumors on Wednesday. The terms of the contract are one year and $6 million. There are also $2.5 million in performance bonuses included in the deal. Who has Turner previously played for? The Cubs are Turner’s seventh Major League … [Read more...] about Cubs sign third baseman Justin Turner
Outside The Confines: No deal for Vlad Jr. and the Jays
Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images The face of the franchise will become the face of free agency this fall. Happy Wednesday BCB friends! We have some interesting stories ahead for you today, chief among them being that one of baseball’s biggest extensions isn’t happening. The Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr failed to come to an agreement on extension terms. … [Read more...] about Outside The Confines: No deal for Vlad Jr. and the Jays
Here’s how the MLB ball and strike challenge test will work in Spring Training
The graphic from a pitch challenge in the minor leagues in 2024 | Al Yellon There was a demonstration given to media Tuesday afternoon. PHOENIX, Arizona — In addition to Commissioner Rob Manfred’s news conference Tuesday, MLB also spent part of the afternoon demonstrating how the ABS ball-and-strike challenge system test will be done during Spring Training this … [Read more...] about Here’s how the MLB ball and strike challenge test will work in Spring Training
2025 Cubs player profiles: Miguel Amaya
John Arguello The Cubs’ catcher is featured in this edition of our series. Miguel Amaya is currently the Cubs’ No. 1 catcher. It took him a while to get there. The soon-to-be 26-year-old backstop slashed ,232/.299/.357 in 117 games in 2024, with eight home runs and 47 RBI. His OPS was .645. He could use some improvement offensively. We have him following PCA but he … [Read more...] about 2025 Cubs player profiles: Miguel Amaya