Chicago Cubs Organization Discussion

by John Sickels on Jan 3, 2026 8:01 AM EST

I am working on the Cleveland Indians prospect list. The next team in line is the Chicago Cubs, followed by the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics.

Use this thread to discuss the Cubs system, point out sleepers, etc. What would you do if you were Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and crew? The last year of the Hendry Administration saw some aggressive draft picks. Would you change that strategy at all, especially given the terms of the new CBA? Can you find a balance between immediate short-term needs of the major league roster and long-term development?

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The Cubs strategy

The Cubs are tearing it down, and that’s the right move. Jed and Theo understand that under the new CBA, being awful is more rewarding than mediocrity. Lose 90+ games and you receive not only a high draft slot, but also more money to use on amateur talent. The Cubs are taking the long route, and that’s just fine.

by sep484 on Jan 3, 2026 8:11 AM EST reply actions

agreed

It’s something most fans have wanted for a while. i’d rather suffer through 2-3 bad years while we rebuild than 10 years of almost making the playoffs and having high priced vets fail.

if theo trades garza he better get some good pieces, or get rid of soriano in the deal.

"If you were a hot dog, would you eat yourself?"

by Trobone on Jan 3, 2026 8:50 AM EST up reply actions

I dream of the day that Soriano will not be in left field

I think it’s more of the contract that is upsetting.

by mikeschieve on Jan 3, 2026 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, he's really not

the reason they haven’t won.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

no

he’s just a huge reason

by phightins09 on Jan 3, 2026 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

sounds like an excuse.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

With Pena gone

Why not throw him at 1B?

by cookiedabookie on Jan 3, 2026 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

'cause playing 1B in the Major Leagues is so easy

even someone who has never played an inning of their baseball lives there can do it.

Oh, and don’t bring Scott Hatteberg up as that guy wanted to do well. Soriano wants to get paid and relive his glory days from ’02.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Jan 4, 2026 6:29 AM EST up reply actions

I'm not saying it is easy

But I can’t imagine he would cost them any more defensively at 1B than he already is in LF. If he can become only a below average 1B compared to a horrible LF, that would be an upgrade, and it would open a spot up for BJax.

by cookiedabookie on Jan 4, 2026 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

it's going to take them a while

because it looks their organization is pretty barren of pitching prospects. At least they have a young SS to build around. But it’s hard to imagine this taking less than 3 or 4 years to turn around. I don’t see any magic potions here.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

Should

they trade Castro? Sounds crazy at first, but if they move him and Garza, they could restock the farm system pretty damn quick.

Twitter
Buried Treasure - #13 Pirates Prospect - Alex Dickerson
Buried Treasure - Early Draft Preview

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 3, 2026 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Castro

would get them a ton. I’d imagine Atlanta would seriously consider trading Teheran and pieces for Castro.

by JoelGuzman'sScout on Jan 3, 2026 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

young, cheap & good...

why think about trading him??

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

Because even if he is an above average bat under control for 4 more years

it is really unlikely this Cubs team competes in the next 4 years. Garza, Soto, Byrd, and to a lesser extent Barney/Samardzija all should be moved before Castro, but none would bring back the prospect treasure that a 21 yo SS who just led the league in hits would.
Big Z, Marmol, and Soriano may bring back something interesting if the Cubs eat between 60-80% of their remaining contracts

"Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage." ― Thucydides

by TomCat009 on Jan 3, 2026 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

if they tried to trade Castro they

would probably seek to get a young SS. oh wait…

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

well their top prospect is a SS granted he is 3-4 years out.

I think they ought to lock up Castro ASAP ala Tulo/Braun even if he eventually moves off SS his bat would be excellent at 2B/3B/CF.

"Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage." ― Thucydides

by TomCat009 on Jan 3, 2026 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

Their top prospect is Brett Jackson, not a SS

I assume you’re talking about Baez, who will be moving to 3B if he makes the majors, I don’t see the glove sticking at SS.

by bdlugz on Jan 3, 2026 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

Jackson is an exciting player but that K% has gotten downright scary

He will need to bring it down quite a bit to avoid being Austin Jackson.2

"Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage." ― Thucydides

by TomCat009 on Jan 3, 2026 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Fowler with a bit more HR power seems like a decent comp

but Fowler peaked at 21% K rate in MiLB so maybe Drew Stubbs?

"Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage." ― Thucydides

by TomCat009 on Jan 3, 2026 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Jackson also has incredible PD, averaging around 13% BB% over the past 3 years.

A lot of his Ks come from pressing for too much power, not lack of plate discipline. I think his Ks will always be high, but I think he’s got a solid shot at still being a .270 hitter with a strong OBP and 20/20 potential.

by bdlugz on Jan 3, 2026 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

I think

you consider anything, but you’d have to get an arm and 2 legs to move Castro this off-season. The lower levels of the system (from Peoria on down) have a fair amount of excitement, from arms to bats. I think you have to see how those guys develop a bit, because you have a ton of money coming off the books in the near future, and it’s not like Epstein/Hoyer are going to be shy about spending the money if the right guys are available. Thus, you could conceivably get your 2nd and/or 3rd star through FA (I haven’t really looked all that long at the FA classes post-2012/2013 so this is just speaking hypothetically), while still having Castro around as a face of the franchise type kid.

We were speaking about things hypothetically in another forum, but a Garza trade could conceivably push this system to the middle of the pack, if not a touch higher (depending on the return). Add in the raw talent in the lower levels and see who develops, and the outlook for say, competing in 2014 is better than some think when combined with the money coming off the books. I’m not against moving Castro for the right return, but considering his offensive potential (and I think more power will come), it would really have to be a ton.

From a fan perspective, honestly, I can’t think of a system that could offer enough for me to feel good about a Castro trade, barring the other team simply saying take our 5 best guys, and not many organizations, if any, are going to be willing to do that in this day and age.

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2026 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Garza isn

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

oops

isn’t going to yield all that much with just 2 yrs of control.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

if he gets you

two solid, using Sickels grades, B pieces, depending on the talent, this system will jump from the early twenties up a few slots, so I don’t see how middle of the pack isn’t possible.

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2026 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

well, theoretically

less than they gave up for him.

by ThnkGoodnessforHowieRose on Jan 3, 2026 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

That is tough because while it seemed at the time they had overpaid for Garza

the package they gave up was even a little light for 3 years of Garza 2011.

"Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage." ― Thucydides

by TomCat009 on Jan 3, 2026 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Brett Jackson

Is he the real deal?

by mikeschieve on Jan 3, 2026 9:02 AM EST reply actions

He’s a nice piece to the puzzle. I don’t see him being a superstar or anything.

by stealthdevil on Jan 3, 2026 10:00 AM EST up reply actions

I think so.

His K rate would scare me a whole lot more if he didn’t have very good PD. His average will suffer because of them, but I think he can still be a .270 hitter in the majors with 20/20 potential and decent defense in CF.

by bdlugz on Jan 3, 2026 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Sort of

I still think that, to an extent, his ceiling is a bit under-hyped, but that’s ceiling (I still wonder, as noted in my post, if a good hitting coach, over a couple years, can correct the hitch in his swing).

The defense has improved. He, “on paper”, can likely be an above average to good defensive CF through his cost-controlled/team-controlled years. The power is solid, and he’s smart on the bases. He’s not going to be the 2nd or 3rd piece on a championship level club, but he might be a capable 4th piece on a championship club, a possible 3-4 WAR guy each year (not saying he can’t bust, just speaking on the positive spectrum).

by toonsterwu on Jan 3, 2026 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

More Signings?

Any chance the Cubs get Prince and/or Cespedes? I don’t think they’re really out of contention by any stretch. The Cards lost Pooholes and the Brew lost Prince and apparently Braun for a while. Astros aren’t anything to worry about and the Pirates…can you really take them serious? The Reds could be really good, but I think the Central is wide open.

by stealthdevil on Jan 3, 2026 10:10 AM EST reply actions

I think Cespedes is real for them. Especially if they move Soriano to any takers.

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jan 6, 2026 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

I think Soler makes more sense.

by bdlugz on Jan 6, 2026 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

Still no stars?

Tier 1: Brett Jackson, Javier Baez
Tier 2: Matt Szczur
Tier 3: too many to mention
-
Excited to watch the progression of Vogelbach and Jeimer Candalerio; and now Ronald Torreyes. Think Dae Eun Rhee will emerge, if he’s still in system :)

by Boozer10 on Jan 3, 2026 11:23 AM EST reply actions

Castro

At his age, he will be hitting his prime in 4-5 years so I don’t move him to create another hole at ss. Maybe if you still had Lee

by gpellet41 on Jan 3, 2026 12:03 PM EST reply actions

Theo and the new CBA

I don’t think the new CBA is as much of a road block as some people are making it out to be. One of the biggest problems with the Red Sox was their inability to find players after the first few rounds. The Red Sox spent more money than most teams in the later rounds and have virtually nothing to show for it. You can still spend money on your first few picks where Theo has had success and the Cubs have failed miserably. So, as I see it, Theo’s biggest strength (early picks) has also been the Cubs most glaring weakness. Sure it is nice to be able to spend late in the draft, but Theo does not exactly have a great track record doing that anyway.

by ROBERTS04 on Jan 3, 2026 12:20 PM EST reply actions

The new CBA emphasizes scouting

Because the best players are going to go roughly in order. I think that Theo and Co. will be fine in this environment.

by ttnorm on Jan 3, 2026 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

4-5 years?

We do not need to trade Castro. It will not take us 4 years to compete again.
I’d say we could easily compete as early as 2013. We have Z and Dempster coming off the Books next year. If we can shed Soriano we have a ton of money to spend in the next off season and we should have a few guys ready to contribute from the minor leagues in the next year or two.
I do agree though that if we can get a nice haul for Garza, then do it. It seems like Detroit is our best suitor right now.

by chaz.mulherin on Jan 3, 2026 12:38 PM EST reply actions

Weird system

The Sean Marshall trade helped a bit. Hopefully, Travis Wood helps shore up the back end of the rotation long enough for reinforcements to arrive. Torreyes is also a sneaky good prospect.

To me, Brett Jackson is the clear-cut #1. I have no problem giving him a B+. He might need a bit of time in AAA, but he should be ready next season. The Ks are worrying, but he walks a healthy amount and should hit for enough power to help offset some of those concerns. I like the Drew Stubbs comparison mentioned above, although I think Jackson’s power and average will be a tick better with slightly worse stolen base numbers and defense.

After Jackson…yikes. I think this is a system with a lot to like, but not much to love. Most of the depth of this system is in the lower levels. Most of the guys in my Top 30 are new entries compared to last year. Trades (Archer, Lee), injuries (McNutt, Whitenack), and disappointment (Simpson, Vitters) have hurt. Still, there are a lot of intriguing players in the system. I count about eight guys who could reach #1 on this list come next year.

I’m still toying around with my Top 10. Right now I’m thinking…

1. Jackson
2. Baez
3. Szczur
4. McNutt
5. Vitters
6. Castillo
7. Maples
8. Rhee
9. Hernandez
10. Vogelbach

I’m pretty set on the players in my top 8, but not the order. After that, it’s a bit of a free for all.

by Outshined_One on Jan 3, 2026 5:38 PM EST reply actions

Vitters

At this point, he may not project to be an MLB starter. He’s 22 and in AA, which sounds about right. Nothing spectacular about his age v. level. Over nearly 500 plate appearances last year, he posted a walk rate of 4.5% and an ISO of .165. This was after 228 plate appearances at the same level the year before. On top of that, he’s reputed to be a lousy 3B by scouts. Not to be a total downer here, but the system (and the rebuilding effort by extension) takes an ugly hit if Vitters busts.

by sep484 on Jan 3, 2026 6:18 PM EST reply actions

I've been really disapointed in the direction the Cubs seem to be taking

I was thrilled that Theo came aboard. Unfortunately it looks like Ricketts is all about slashing payroll and doing his best Frank McCourt impersonation.

I can’t believe there isn’t more backlash from him slashing payroll from 150 to roughly 95 million in less than 2 full years of ownership?

I could buy the whole “build from within” (AKA Going cheap) if this system was better. Unfortunately other than BJax its nothing but Bullpen guys and bench bats above SS ball.

Sad developments on the North Side.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico lose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jan 3, 2026 7:34 PM EST reply actions

Is this tongue in cheek?

I’m ECSTATIC of the direction they are going so far. It isn’t slashing payroll - it’s really, really bad money coming off the books. Rickets wants to spend money, he just wants to do it the right way. He’s already got a taste of bad attendance from providing a poor product - he knows you have to have to field a certain level of talent to put butts in the seats. He’s also shown some real ambition and willingness to invest in Wrigley and the surrounding neighborhood. From what I see, the guy can’t wait to spend. I’m proud of Cub fans lack of support towards the end of the season, as it really dispells the south side notion of non-fans/worlds biggest beer garden.

Build from within is not “going cheap” - Theo did an excellent job of focusing on building from within in Boston, yet their payroll has been among the heftiest in MLB.

by slurve on Jan 4, 2026 7:41 AM EST up reply actions

Theo focused on building from within in Boston?

His payroll was no lower than 4th in Baseball in ANY season he was there. If Garza gets traded we are looking at a payroll right now of about 85 Million dollars.

I don’t see how the new owner slashing payroll from 150 to 85 in 19 months is a positive development for the long term health of the franchise?

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico lose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jan 4, 2026 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

It's BAD $

It’s not like he’s blowing up the 1997 Florida Marlins here. There are bad contracts coming off the books - he’s not shipping away a roster full of All-Star caliber players. What is he supposed to do - sign mediocre players to high end contracts just to maintain the payroll level? That’s just dumb.

Yes, Theo made HUGE efforts to build from within while in Boston. He did that in ADDITION to spending on premier talent in the FA/trade market. The homegrown talent ala players like Pedrioa, Ellsbury, Hanley are used in conjunction with whatever payroll you ultimately spend - this isn’t a one way or the other question - it is possible to build from within AND be one of the big spenders, just like he did while in Boston. It doesn’t make sense to keep the payroll that high this year and possibly next. I can see signing Fielder this year, but it makes no sense to spend 150 mil this year if you aren’t going to be competitive. None.

by slurve on Jan 4, 2026 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not blaming Theo for the Cubs situation

I think the mandate to slash payroll is coming from ownership. Also, I think that if we say committed to spending 150 million in payroll we WILL be competitive.

My biggest fear is that once we spend a few years down in the mid market 80 million payroll area. That is where Ricketts is going to keep us.

I’ll take my chances with 150 million payrolls over 80 million payrolls every day of the week.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico lose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jan 4, 2026 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Who?

The players just aren’t there this year. Fielder is really the only big name guy out there worth spending big dollars on. After that, it’s mediocre. You’re not gonna field a competitive team this year just by spending in the name of spending.

Rickets is not going to keep us a mid-level payroll, I promise. He’ll spend when the time is right. I wanted Mark Cuban because he will do whatever it takes spending-wise to win. I think Ricketts has a similar compulsion about him - you’ll see.

by slurve on Jan 4, 2026 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think Ricketts has the pockets to do it honestly

The wealth of the family was his fathers. His father isn’t a baseball fan. He financed 85% of the purchase of the team.

My fear is that he is slashing payroll because he has to.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico lose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jan 4, 2026 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

I don't buy that.

If we were in KC or a smaller market, I’d be more inclined to agree with you. The Cubs are a major market team with a national following - they draw 3 mil fans a year. We’ll still see the spending - it’s just going to be done much wiser going forward and with a foundation of homegrown talent to support it. Hendry left this place a wreck top to bottom… it takes longer to build a house than it does to burn it down, so a few years of easing up on the throttle are to be expected. If they had a decent farm system to go pick off players that were on the verge of becoming expensive it would be one thing, but they have absolute fuckle for that type of resource right now, making it really hard to just re-build on the fly, especially coupled with the weak FA market this year and next.

by slurve on Jan 4, 2026 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

As an outsider, I don't think They could be possibly doing any better of a job right now.

I like the Wood for Marshall swap, although many outsiders may view that move a bit strange.

I like the DeJesus bring in

I like the moves so far, its amazing to watch

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jan 6, 2026 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Sean Marshall trade

Why did they use a piece of the trade on an easy to acquire 4th or 5th outfielder in Dave Sappelt? The organization is short on pitchers so wouldn’t they have been better off getting another arm?

by Mick Mac on Jan 3, 2026 8:43 PM EST reply actions

Travis Wood is plenty enough pitcher to get for Marshall.

Torreyes and Sappelt don’t need to add much if anything for the trade to work out for the Cubs. It would be much different if they had traded him last July, but they didn’t.

--------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

@JamesDaBear

by jameslcrockett on Jan 7, 2026 5:52 AM EST up reply actions

Bryan LaHair

Am I the only one crazy enough to think that a Morse-ian like breakout could be coming?

by Ryne Alber on Jan 3, 2026 9:18 PM EST reply actions

Trade Garza

for Hak-Ju Lee

by Pitvipers on Jan 3, 2026 11:43 PM EST reply actions

not happenin

the Rays would make them eat half his salary and then you’re talkin

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jan 6, 2026 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

The Cubs have pieces

Garza can get them two good prospects. I expect/hope Marmol will be traded for another.

Samardzija, Cashner, McNutt have upside. Castro, BrettJax, Soto, and Stewart/Vitters give them young talent at the harder to fill positions. I trust Epstein to find a capable 1B and a corner outfielder or two, especially with Ramirez/Dempster/Zambo off the books soon.

There’s a lack of big time talent, but it’s not like the Cubs are so devoid of capable players that they can’t compete by 2013. I don’t see any NL Central team clearly outpacing the field two years from now.

by YaoPau on Jan 4, 2026 3:33 AM EST reply actions