The Chicago Cubs made what is likely their last major offseason move when they sent infielder Luis Valbuena and pitcher Dan Straily to the Houston Astros for outfielder and leadoff man Dexter Fowler. He gives the team some speed, the ability to get on base and a solid glove in the outfield. But just how much better does Fowler actually make the Cubs?
Let's break down the numbers...
Fowler's batting average when leading off an inning last season was .393; that's a pretty staggering stat. Since leadoff men are only guaranteed to lead off in the first inning of every game, their ...
The Chicago Cubs made several big moves this offseason to help them in 2015 and beyond. For the first time in a while, they should be relatively competitive this upcoming season. However, they didn't sign these players just to be good in 2015, they signed them to be good through the life of their contract.
Ultimately, whether each player earns their money will come down to how they compete over the life of their deals. Here are predictions for the team's three biggest offseason acquisitions and how they will do over the entire course of their contracts.Begin Slideshow
Most around the baseball world think the Chicago Cubs had a very successful offseason. After all, they added coveted ace Jon Lester to the fold and bolstered their bench, bullpen and catcher spot. Suddenly, the playoffs don't seem like a pipe dream for the Cubs in 2015.
For individual players and units on the team, this offseason affected each differently. Some largely benefit from the moves made this offseason, while others do not. Here are the three biggest winners and losers for the Cubs based on their offseason moves.Begin Slideshow
With about a month left to go in the MLB regular season, I took a crack at predicting the Cubs' 2015 Opening Day roster. While a lot remains unchanged, there are a lot of new players who have been added to the mix this offseason.
That being said, here's a look at what the 25-man roster should look like, as well as what the roster prediction looked like back in September. If you want to take a look at those predictions in full, you can visit the article here.Begin Slideshow
With spring training just around the corner and the new year being rung in, it feels like the MLB offseason is over. However, for the Chicago Cubs, like most other teams in the league, there is still some work to be done. Even though the bulk of Chicago's offseason moves have likely already been made, it will still look to improve its 2015 roster.
What moves the front office manages to pull off over the next month and a half will largely help determine if the Cubs are just an improved team or a contender in 2015. Here are some holes ...
Through their signing of Jon Lester, trade for Miguel Montero and other various moves this offseason, the Chicago Cubs have made one thing clear: They plan to compete starting in 2015. Whether they're truly competitive this upcoming season remains to be seen, but for the first time in several years, the team actually has an expectation of success.
They've done plenty this offseason already, but before the dust settles and pitchers and catchers report to spring training in February, a lot more could be done. Here are three more questions that need answers for the Cubs before they break camp and ...
The Chicago Cubs have been very active this offseason after starting off slow, adding catcher Miguel Montero via trade and pitchers Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and Jason Motte via free agency. While all of these moves should majorly improve the Cubs in 2015 and beyond, one move qualifies as the biggest steal.
That move was the Montero trade, which gets overlooked since it was made around the same time as the team signed Lester to his megadeal.
The Cubs sent minor league pitchers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the deal. While Mejia, who went 2-4 with a 2.48 ...
After being disappointing for most of the offseason by missing out on a couple coveted free agents, the Chicago Cubs made their first major free-agent splash in five years. That splash, of course, was the six-year, $155 million contract they signed ace Jon Lester to at the winter meetings.
The craziest thing about this signing is how drastically it potentially changes the Cubs' offseason plan. Now that they have their ace, they may feel as though they can compete in 2015 and pursue a big bat to solidify themselves as contenders this upcoming season, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
This ...
While the Chicago Cubs are still trying to make key signings on the free-agent market, when the front office makes its way to the MLB winter meetings Monday, it will also be looking to make some trades. The Cubs have already been linked to several deals this offseason and could be interested in several more.
With an infield surplus, the team figures to find at least one of its talented young infielders expendable. If one of them is moved, expect the Cubs to net an ace in return. However, until the Cubs know whether Jon Lester has decided to sign with ...
Coming into the offseason, it seemed like the Cubs were building momentum. They were seemingly connected to every major free agent, and fans were starting to get hyped about what potential stars they could sign. However, the team hasn't made any significant moves yet as the MLB's winter meetings get ready to begin.
Even though they haven't done anything so far, that doesn't mean they're not going to do anything all winter. In fact, expect rumors to heat back up this offseason as soon as the winter meetings begin. Here are five things to look for from the Cubs as they ...
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