Cubs have been quiet so far, but don't look for it to last

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The Cubs have been quiet thus far in this MLB offseason and have been losing ground in the process.  That’s not meant to be a slam on Cubs management, just an assessment of where they currently are.   The Cardinals made an excellent move in picking up Paul Goldschmidt to play first base for them.  In the meantime it’s been reported that Cubs closer, Brandon Morrow, will miss the early part of the 2019 season due to having his elbow cleaned out.  Those things equate to a loss of ground in the division for the Cubs.

Tommy LaStella out, and it's not for Mike Trout

In addition to the news on Morrow, the Cubs have traded pinch hitter deluxe, Tommy LaStella, to the Angels for cash or a player to be named later. I’m guessing that player isn’t Mike Trout.  More likely, the Cubs moved LaStella to pare salary.  The Cubs did extend a contract to Addison Russell.  There have been issues with Russell on and off the field.  Russell’s off the field issues have been documented, but in addition to those, he’s periodically had shoulder issues that affect his throwing and a disappearing bat.

Will Russell be like the Walking Dead again in 2019?

Russell looked like a guy playing in a stupor for most of the 2018 season.  If he’s anywhere near what he’s been in the past, the Cubs are much the better for it.  If not, the Cubs are in need of a middle infielder.  It looks like the Cubs decided to take a chance on Russell as opposed to signing somebody like D J LeMahieu or Jonathan Schoop to play second and move Javy Baez to short.

 Joakim might return, and it's not Noah

The Cubs have been rumored to have some interest in Joakim Soria.  That would make a lot of sense in that Soria has closing experience and also has been a solid setup man.  Soria is coming off a good 2018 season which saw him pitch to a WHIP of 1.137 and striking out 11.1 hitters per 9 innings.  I’d like to see Soria sign with the Cubs or White Sox.

An alternative to Corbin

The Cubs haven’t been listed as the favorites to sign any of the big free agents in the current class.  I’m okay with that.  Patrick Corbin went to the Nationals for 6 tears at $140 million.  I would say no thanks to that.  I think a better option would be to go after Zack Greinke for the remaining three years on his contract, with Arizona picking up part of the money.  Neither the Cubs nor White Sox are on Greinke’s list of teams he can’t be traded to.  In the Cubs case, they really don’t need a starter.

Yu Darvich figures to be at least a serviceable starter if not more in 2019 season.  If that’s the case, the Cubs could have a rotation of Lester, Hamels, Darvish, Hendricks and Quintana.  That’s outstanding.  What they need is a bat or two or three.

What happened to Wilson?

There have been a few rumblings of the Cubs being in on Marlins catcher, J T. Realmuto.  Part of the package going to the Marlins would be Wilson Contreras.  I can’t recall seeing a young hitter regress as suddenly as Contreras did last season.  My most lasting memory of Contreras is bat flip after a walk.  Really?  Were things that bad?  My second most last memory is Wilson’s bat flip and subsequent stroll out of the batter’s box on a ball that hit the wall. You’re right; I’d like to see Realmuto behind the plate for the Cubs.

Change will be coming

I still wouldn’t rule out the Cubs signing Bryce Harper.  Failing that, I’d like to see them sign Michael Brantley and move a young outfielder for an OBP guy.

The Cubs have been quiet so far, but I look for them to be active soon.  The Cubs have looked like a team needing a kick in the butt for two years now.  Changing coaches is an indication of the front office’s desire for more urgency.  Trading some guys on the current roster would ramp the sense of urgency up quite a bit more.