Today, FanGraphs released the 2026 ZiPS projections for the Chicago Cubs , courtesy of Dan Szymborski.
Although all projection systems have their strengths and weaknesses, I have generally found ZiPS to be my most preferred set. Not sure why that is, as I haven’t actually ever gone back systematically to see how things played out; but then again, since projection systems are giving you MEDIAN projections, they aren’t actually saying “this is how the season will definitely play out for thi...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 15 days ago
| 2 reads
According to Francys Romero , the Chicago Cubs are signing another reclamation pitcher, bringing in righty Yacksel Rios on a minor league deal.
The 32-year-old reliever spent parts of the 2017-21, and 2023 seasons in the big leagues, pitching for the Phillies, Pirates, Mariners, Red Sox, and A’s, flashing big stuff without much in the way of results (6.32 career ERA, 5.61 career FIP, but only 98.1 big league innings). Yacksel Rios has also been in the Rays, White Sox, and Braves’ systems,...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 15 days ago
| 6 reads
Last year: After averaging everything according to various projections, the Cubs’ season record came out to approximately 87-75 after a little consideration of our trusty napkins and some minor mental gymnastics. Reality was kinder to our Cubs and their final record was 92-70, good enough to get the Cubs into the postseason, where they dismissed […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 15 days ago
| 0 reads
When the Chicago Cubs signed Alex Bregman, one of my early stupid jokes was this one:
Been thinking a lot lately about how the Houston Astros were so unfairly treated during the 2017 sign-stealing scandal. I think any player who may or may not have been involved was actually a victim, and should now be celebrated as a hero. — Brett Taylor (@Brett_A_Taylor) January 11, 2026
Again, that was just a joke about Bregman signing with the Cubs, and us now loving him. Because fandom. ...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 15 days ago
| 1 read
Let me state quite firmly up front that it’s hardly a BAD thing to have excellent young talent transition from being a top-100-type prospect to a big league contributor. It’s also hardly a bad thing to use top-100-type prospect talent in trades for big league impact. So a lot of what I’m saying here on that front is qualitatively neutral, at worst. The Chicago Cubs have had a lot of very recent top-100 types.
But it’s just factual – and not good in isolation – that the Cubs have seen the ...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 15 days ago
| 1 read
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Happy Birthday to Mike Krukow*, farewell Hollywood Stars, and other stories for the discerning reader. Today […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 15 days ago
| 0 reads
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thanks for stopping by. Come on in out of the cold. We’ve got a fire going on inside and the music is hot. We can take your coat for you. The hostess will […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 16 days ago
| 0 reads
Frank Schwindel replaced Anthony Rizzo at first base after the big selloff in 2021, and actually hit pretty well: .342/.389/.613 with 13 home runs in 56 games, enough to get him some downballot Rookie of the Year votes. He didn’t hit as well in 2022 and the team, picked over by the selloff, didn’t play […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 16 days ago
| 3 reads
When the Chicago Cubs sign pitchers to minor league deals this time of year, they usually fit neatly into one of two buckets: a big league reclamation project (recent example: Trent Thornton ), or a prospect/development play (recent example: Tyler Ras ).
The latest minor league pitcher signing, however, is a bit of a mix of both:
Check out his Live AB at Tread's Pro Day 🎥 pic.twitter.com/GF1IKQQyx0 — Tread Athletics (@TreadHQ) January 16, 2026
On the one hand, Charlie Barn...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 16 days ago
| 1 read
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele made just four starts in 2025 before missing the rest of the season with Tommy John surgery. That surgery took place April 18, 2025, and the normal time frame for returning is between 12 and 15 months. That means, theoretically, that Steele could be back pitching sometime in late April, though […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 16 days ago
| 1 read
The Cubs Convention is over, the Bears’ fine season is, too, and only the Blackhawks remain standing in the playoff hunt. But there is hope for the 2026 Cubs squad, after a couple of major and quite a few minor signings, with only a couple of roster decisions to make unless something special happens. Marquee […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 16 days ago
| 1 read
It’s another week here at BCB After Dark: the hippest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re open again for business. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. Come in out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. The hostess will seat you now. Bring […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 17 days ago
| 3 reads
This weekend at the Cubs Convention, everyone said all the right things about the Chicago Cubs’ theoretical infield overload, with Alex Bregman coming in to be the starting third baseman, Nico Hoerner holding down second base, and Matt Shaw moving into a super-utility role. That’s the approach that makes for the best 2026 roster, and it’s the way things are expected to go as we sit here today.
That said, we know about the rumors that have swirled for a long time, and we discussed the real...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 17 days ago
| 3 reads
The thing about Cubs Convention is that you can be as big of a Cubs fan as anyone you know, a rabid poster on various Cubs communities like Bleed Cubbie Blue, the type of person who gets notifications for multiple teams and players, and odds are the crowd at Cubs Convention will out-fanatic you. It […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 17 days ago
| 2 reads
As 2026 continues to look more and more like an “all-in” season for the Chicago Cubs, we cannot discount the possibility of more additions to the 2026 roster this offseason. Logically, of course, that makes sense. But even more reassuringly, both President Jed Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins have indicated as much, even suggesting that – for once – paying the luxury tax isn’t a concern or impediment to any moves they may want to make before Opening Day.
But when you look around the diamond/ro...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 17 days ago
| 0 reads
The Cubs’ 2022 season began much like 2021 ended — with the team losing games, some of them by large scores (though they also had a 21-0 win over the Pirates in that span, go figure). They had taken two of the first three games of a four-game set against the Reds in Cincinnati, and […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 17 days ago
| 3 reads
We know that Alex Bregman’s deal with the Chicago Cubs is for five years, is nominally worth $175 million, has a reported $70 million in deferrals, and comes with a no-trade clause.
Now we know a little more on the particulars there:
Details on deferred $ in Alex Bregman deal: $70 million of $175M is deferred ($15M in 2026 & 2029, $10M in 2027 & 2028, $20M in 2030) Deferred money is paid each July 31, 2034-41: 2026 & 2029 in installments of $1.875M 2027 & 2028 in installments of $1.2...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 17 days ago
| 0 reads
Were it not for an Achilles tear at the end of July, 32-year-old righty reliever Trent Thornton might not have been available in free agency at all, much less available on a minor league deal. He’d had a slow start to the season in the Mariners’ bullpen to be sure, but he’d been dominating since mid-June, and he had been a really good reliever in 2023 and 2024 (3.13 ERA (18% better than league average), 3.70 FIP (7% better), 24.6% K, 6.0% BB, 6.6% barrel, 34.6% hard hit).
As of the moment...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 17 days ago
| 1 read
You may recall back in December that there were significant rumors about the Chicago Cubs’ interest in Zac Gallen, a free agent starter coming off a down season but with a long track record of success before that. It’s a type the Cubs sure do like. And, when the Cubs missed out on Tatsuya Imai, the Gallen rumors ticked right back up .
But, with the Cubs having traded for Edward Cabrera and checked the “we need a front-three type guy” box, I wouldn’t say there was an expectation that the C...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 17 days ago
| 0 reads
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. Ernie in the Hall, The Penguin comes to Chicago, Dexter Fowler* arrives, and other stories for the […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 17 days ago
| 0 reads
Last weekend, the Cubs and Bears came together to provide Chicago with one of the most memorable and consequential sports nights for this city in a long time. One week and one day later, and it’s all on the Bears. I am nervous. I am excited.
And I am ready to Bear Down.
You’ve got a must-read of the day , today, from Patrick Mooney, who got the inside scoop on how the deal with Alex Bregman came together last weekend during the Bears game. From the sound of it, Bregman was VERY clo...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| 18 days ago
| 0 reads
In the past, the Cubs Convention used to have a session with President of Business Operations Crane Kenney. That, along with a session with Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts, have been eliminated from the convention agenda. Kenney did have a wide-ranging conversation with Meghan Montemurro of the Tribune, and in her article she wrote that the […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 18 days ago
| 1 read
Matt Shaw says he has spent a good deal of time in the outfield in college and he’s up for the challenge of being a supersub. I’m not going to discourage him. Nico Hoerner opined that it was a good thing to have a quality player as a sub, and that time off isn’t a […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 18 days ago
| 3 reads
1930 No, you’re right, you wouldn’t think you’d have to make it clear that major leaguers shouldn’t box in the offseason. But because of the brawling (inside and out of the ring) of White Sox first baseman Art Shires, commissioner Kenesaw Landis banned any player from boxing. Shires had issued a challenge to Cubs star […]
From South Side Sox
| 18 days ago
| 1 read
Day 2 of the 2026 Cubs Convention started out the same way it always does, with Cubs President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer and General Manager Carter Hawkins taking the stage, followed by a session with Cubs manager Craig Counsell. Both sessions were moderated by Cubs play-by-play man Boog Sciambi. But the one thing that […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| 19 days ago
| 3 reads