Well, if you’re a Cubs fan and have been riding the wave of the Carlos Correa free agent rumors, the time has come to jump off. Jed Hoyer met with the media on Monday and with one quote he killed any hope Cubs fans still had of the team signing Correa.
“We’re happy with our middle infield.”
Jed Hoyer says the Cubs are interested in adding more pitching. Asked about SS after adding Simmons: “We’re happy with our middle infield.”
Me: They’ll look to add in OF as well. Suzuki?— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 14, 2022
The latest buzz around Correa is that the Astros are have had intense negotiations with his camp to bring the elite shortstop back to Houston.
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Astros have stepped up efforts to bring back Carlos Correa to the point where owner team owner Jim Crane is involved. Astros are clearly serious but other teams are still involved. @hgomez27 mentioned intensifying talks
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 14, 2022
The Cubs had been rumored, as recent as Friday, to be one of the favorites to sign the free agent shortstop. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi wrote about it late last week and rumors were flying fast all weekend long. However, optimism that the Cubs would ultimately pull off a Correa signing quickly dwindled by Friday night.
The #Cubs are reportedly unwilling to pay near $300M or above for Carlos Correa, per @mikedeportes. pic.twitter.com/n20ovr3tug
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) March 11, 2022
The Cubs are signing shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a one-year, $4 million contract. He’ll join Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal in the Cubs middle infield.
As for other potential moves, Hoyer said the Cubs are focused on pitching.
“Our biggest focus is on pitching and pitching depth.” -Hoyer #Cubs
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) March 14, 2022
So Cubs fans, how do you feel about the team once again bowing out on a major free agent? A reminder that the biggest free agent contract given to a position player since Jason Heyward was a two-year, $13 million deal to catcher Yan Gomes prior to the lockout.
So much for this not being a rebuild.
Anyway, as Jesse Rogers speculated the Cubs could another bat or two in the outfield or maybe another corner infielder. I mean, you might have forgotten but the Cubs’ roster is lacking to say the least.
Asked if he's comfortable taking the current position player group into the season, Hoyer said probably not and indicated the #Cubs are looking to continue to add.
"It's not a knock on the guys here, but we have open spots and we'll continue to add."
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 14, 2022
Look at this.
A look at top 2 levels given a few signings and a few injuries. This one assumes that Ian Happ starts the year on a minimum-stay IL stint, which he may avoid.
40-man is full when Simmons goes official, but Heuer and possibly Alzolay and Bote could go 60-day (which opens spots). pic.twitter.com/WNjApxkkmA
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) March 14, 2022
Oof.
More from Hoyer. How about this tease from the boss.
A significant addition?
Hoyer: "We're having a lot of conversations. I've done this too long to assume that anything gets across the finish line. So, you try to keep a lot of balls in the air. And some of those may be, as you guys would deem, 'significant.' Some may not be." https://t.co/Bp8uyXK31Z— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) March 14, 2022
The Cubs are obviously going to sign someone. Again, look at the roster right now. Just how impactful will that free agent be? Well, time will tell.
