As MLB’s winter meetings approach, the industry’s attention is rightfully on top free agent Juan Soto’s decision-making process. But the Cubs have caused a bit of a stir as they’ve surveyed potential trade options.
With the winter meetings beginning Monday in Dallas, the Cubs have already had wide-ranging exploratory trade talks with teams across MLB. Among those many conversations, they have had at least preliminary trade talks with the Mariners about Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, and the White Sox about their ace Garrett Crochet, sources confirmed.
Those two examples, which would have differing effects on the roster, reflect just how comprehensive the Cubs’ early exploratory efforts have been.
Any team hoping to acquire Crochet would likely have to give up upper-level hitting prospects. That’s why the Cubs are considered a potential fit as a trade partner, depending on which prospects they’re willing to forfeit.
Trading Hoerner, on the other hand, would shake up the Cubs lineup no matter the return. Though Hoerner underwent forearm surgery in October, he isn’t expected to miss extended time, and his widespread reputation for a strong work ethic has helped mitigate potential concerns.
Soto’s signing could have a ripple effect as well. Those teams that miss out on him will be looking for other options. And some could see a trade for Cubs right fielder Cody Bellinger — who opted in for a second season on a three-year, $80 million contract — as a possible solution. He has another opt-out after the 2025 season, which is sure to factor into teams’ calculations.
The Cubs have already made two smaller trades this offseason, between the deadline to add Rule 5 eligible players to the 40-man roster and the tender deadline in late November. They acquired reliever Eli Morgan from the Guardians and catcher Matt Thaiss from the Angels, with the roster constraints spurring an uptick in action around MLB.
Most trade conversations, however, don’t make it to the finish line. It’s too early to say which larger-scale trades, if any, will come to fruition for the Cubs.
Just like a deadline can spur action, so does an event like the winter meetings, which consolidates team leaders and player agents all under one roof.
The Cubs also strengthened their rotation, a priority this offseason, by agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with left-hander Matthew Boyd. But they still have to fill out their bullpen. On Thursday the team announced that it had agreed to terms on minor-league deals with reliever Brooks Kriske and right-hander Phil Bickford, who has experience both starting and relieving, and invited both to major-league spring training. Relief depth will continue to be a focus.
The Cubs also have to figure out how they’re going to address their offense. Though the Cubs’ production evened out over the course of the season to make them a middle-of-the-pack (No.12) run-scoring team, a May and June slump put them in a hole that proved to be too deep to overcome.
There are also more tangible items on the winter meetings schedule. Baseball operations leaders and managers will hold media availabilities.
While Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer also talked in an end of season news conference and at the GM Meetings, this will be manager Craig Counsell’s first formal availability since the Cubs ended the season with a loss to the Reds that gave them a 83-79 record for the second straight year. He’s had time to process the disappointing season, and he’ll be able to discuss newer developments like his coaching hires.
The third annual draft lottery will be held Tuesday. The Cubs have a 0.68 percent chance of winning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Then the Rule 5 Draft is scheduled for Wednesday.
