What if the Cubs Had Signed Albert Pujols? And Other Bullets

albert-pujols-the-decision-bleacher-nationThere will be a more formal unveiling later today, but … did you notice that if you append the word “bears” onto www.bleachernation.com/, something magical happens? Take a look for yourself

  • A brilliantly fun idea over at CBS, where they’re revisiting big-time rumors of years past that never came to be. Matt Snyder revisits the Albert Pujols/Jim Hendry hug, and what might have been if Hendry hadn’t been fired by the Chicago Cubs in mid-2011. Would the Cubs have gone after Pujols? I’m not sure the money would have been there even if Hendry still was, but it’s an interesting thought experiment. Snyder’s conclusion? The Cubs would have been quite a bit better in 2012 and 2013 (but not a playoff contender, even after making other moves in tandem with Pujols), and the future would be looking pretty bleak right now. I tend to agree with him, *cough* people-who-wanted-the-Cubs-to-take-that-path-are-crazy *cough*. What’s hard to project is, if Hendry had stayed and Pujols had come, what would the money situation look like right now? Would the Cubs be in worse shape, having committed a quarter billion to Pujols (and then probably kept spending elevated for the last two years to try and compete), or better shape having probably seen attendance stabilize a bit? I tend to think, unless the Cubs were a repeat playoff team in those two seasons, any revenue bump wouldn’t have been sufficient to put the Cubs in a better position going forward than they are today (i.e., so much more money that the dramatic reduction in top-line prospects wouldn’t hurt).
  • It’s tender deadline day (and you can read my tender prep here if you haven’t already), which means we’ll get some roster news today no matter what. The deadline is 11pm CT, so I’m going to put the coffee on.
  • Carrie Muskat writes up her take on the tender decisions here (add Mat Gamel and George Kottaras to the arbitration-eligible list). The primary discussion piece is Darwin Barney, who has become the surprise focal point of the Cubs’ tender decisions today. Muskat concludes that Barney is likely to be tendered, even if his performance last year has called a return into question. Muskat adds that Daniel Bard is expected to be tendered, which is surprising to me, given his struggles over the last two years and his abysmal winter league performance. If Bard is tendered, don’t freak out: contracts awarded in arbitration are not fully guaranteed if the player is released in Spring Training. So, after tendering, the Cubs could negotiate a reduced, non-guaranteed contract with Bard. That said, he’d still be occupying a 40-man roster spot. I still expect a non-tender (or an 11th hour deal announced today), and then the Cubs working out a minor league deal with Bard.
  • Tony Andracki writes about Rick Renteria’s days managing at Kane County.
  • Apropos of nothing more than my own curiosity, the National League average slash line for all position players (not including pitchers) last year was .258/.323/.401 with a wOBA of .318. So, those are your baselines when you consider whether a player is above or below average.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Cubs Farm Report | April 25, 2024: Brennen Davis Homers in His Return to Triple-A

    Brennen Davis made his return to Triple-A last night, and of course, he managed to smack a three-run home run in an 8-2 win for the Iowa Cubs. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report |...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Pete Crow-Armstrong Gets a Start

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs won again last night, which means they've already won the season-series against the still-struggling Astros. Justin Verlander will be on the bump for today's finale, but he'll have to go up against the mighty Javier...

    The Leadoff Role, Cubs Front Office is Not Particularly Well-Liked? And Other Cubs Bullets

    It's a pretty big day for the Chicago Bears, eh? For the second year in a row, they own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Only this time, they actually plan to use it (and on a quarterback,...

    Chicago Cubs Sign Brazilian-Japanese Pitcher Daniel Missaki Out of Mexican League

    That's a geographic mouthful right there, and it underscores what an interesting signing this is. Stray signings throughout the year are not uncommon, particularly as injuries accumulate down on the farm and the Chicago Cubs have the ability to take...

    Do the Cubs Have a Scoring-Late Problem?

    Once a month since August of 2016, my friends and I get together for "Supper Club." It's like book club, but instead of reading books, we go to a different restaurant in the city. Last night, we hit our 77th...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Latest News

    Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Series April 26-28: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the Detroit Tigers and the visiting Kansas City Royals will start on Friday, April 26 at 1:10 PM ET.Tigers vs. Royals Series Info Royals @ Tigers Time: Friday, April 26 at 1:10 PM ET Tigers Starting...

    We Could See 6 Quarterbacks Go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

    NFL Draft followers seem to have settled on four quarterbacks going somewhere in the top 10 picks. Many appear to think that we could get a draft with quarterbacks going 1, 2, 3, 4 in succession at the top. Others...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Cornerbacks and Safeties

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins TODAY. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle and WR

    The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 offseason with the familiar feeling of championship aspirations. Dak Prescott is healthy, the skill positions are loaded, but the offensive line, once a strength, is in flux. With the 24th overall pick in the...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Wake Forest Dominates First Round

    With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...

    76ers vs. Knicks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are playing in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 3 up next.The Knicks beat the 76ers 104-101 on Monday when they last met. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks in the...

    Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Donovan Mitchell needs to make four from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Cleveland Cavaliers face the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:00 PM...

    Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic -- with Caris LeVert needing to score just once from beyond the arc to...

    Josh Hart Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Josh Hart needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...

    Jalen Brunson Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

    At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the New York Knicks versus the Philadelphia 76ers, with Jalen Brunson needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Jalen Brunson's Three-Pointer...

    more cubs news

    Latest News