The GM Meetings have started and while no major moves are expected this week you know this is when the rumors begin to heat up. After shocking everyone in MLB by hiring Craig Counsell, most around the league agree that the Chicago Cubs will be targeting high-end talent this offseason, through free agency and in via trades.
According to George Ofman, the early rumblings from the GM meetings are that the Cubs are in on just about everyone. He included one specific name, 25-year-old starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto recently pitched in Game 6 of the Japan Series and had the game of his life, striking out 14 batters in a complete-game effort that kept his team alive in the championship series.
The right-hander ended the 2023 season with an incredible 1.21 ERA, striking out 169 batters in 164 innings. Yamamoto has been called one of the best starting pitchers in the world by MLB executives and he’s expected to receive a contract worth more than $200 million this offseason.
Quickly back to Ofman. He was asked who he thought the main Cubs targets are going to be this offseason and he certainly didn’t cool down expectations.
Ahhh, you gotta love the offseason rumor mill!
Meanwhile, Jed Hoyer did address the media down in Scottsdale, Ariz., and here’s one comment that you can take in a few different directions.
Via Meghan Montemurro.
“I like our position & if there are moves, even big moves, that will help us continue that trajectory we’ll definitely do it. But I don’t think it’s a signal that somehow we’re going to have the biggest and boldest offseason. If we do it’s because things lined up for us.”
So, if you’re still apprehensive about the Cubs being bold, then you might argue that Hoyer is lowering expectations by downplaying a potential huge offseason. Now, while I don’t think the Cubs are going to walk away with the top-two free agents this winter, you can obviously notice that the Cubs are indeed positioned and equipped to acquire top-tier talent.
Plus, after hiring Craig Counsell, you know that Hoyer keeps things quiet behind the scenes. The fact that he’s even hinting at big moves should be a great sign for Cubs fans. A year ago, Hoyer was talking about intelligent spending before getting Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon within a few weeks.
Now Hoyer is talking about a big offseason if things are lined up for the Cubs.
So yeah, I do think any top player you can name is on the table for the Cubs this offseason.
