Lukewarm Stove: Cubs on Suzuki and Correa, Castellanos Wanted MIA, Rays “Serious” About Freeman, More

I wonder how that meeting between the Cubs and Seiya Suzuki went last night? According to Kevin Acee (San Diego Union Tribune), there are some within the Padres organization that are feeling optimistic about their chances, but Suzuki was adamant that he had not made a decision yet and there are “at least a half-dozen teams” still in the running. Including the Cubs. Keep those fingers crossed, my friends.

They DID sign Chris Martin, though!

Meanwhile …

Cubs Need a Bat

I’m trying my best to balance the fact that the Cubs still *desperately* need to add serious offensive talent to this lineup with the fact that there technically still are a ton of options available in free agency. The big one, of course, is Carlos Correa.

Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma cracked that door back open a few days ago, but a lot has changed since then — including, especially, the reemergence of the Astros.

Houston’s name started popping back up in a big way over the last two days, to the point where owner Jim Crane was getting involved. Worse, there were multiple reports of serious offers not in that 10-year range (a six year deal with an opt-out after one?), which would sting a little more for Cubs fans who were told this was the range in which their favorite team would be comfortable. Either way, the rumors have started getting specific. And the Cubs aren’t out of the race yet.

Here’s the latest from Mooney and Sharma, once again pulling us back in:

Are the Cubs going to check in with agent Scott Boras on Correa? Absolutely. Are they going to win a bidding war for his services? Nobody would bet on that. But then again, there doesn’t appear to be a big-market team bidding for his services, and that could be an advantage.

The rest of the conversation pivots back to their pursuit of Suzuki, whom “the Cubs are hoping they can sway,” but it’s not clear if this is meant to be presented as an either/or situation. In reality, I would think adding one of the two would increase the desire to grab the second, perhaps by the same amount as missing out on one would reduce the same odds.

Both Suzuki and Correa are just 27-years-old. If you can add both, that’s probably more in line with one potential path forward for the Cubs than adding just one or the other. But I don’t want to get your hopes up. The Cubs do have interest in signing both players, but actually landing either one still feels like a long-shot.

Castellanos Wanted the Marlins, Too

Given the timing of Derek Jeter’s departure from the Marlins (right before the lockout ended) and all that’s happened since, I’m not surprised that we all sorta moved on from the story without much more discussion. But come on, that’s still a big deal. And another chapter was just added. Or, rather, the last one was confirmed?

When Jeter left, the rumor was that he wanted to sign Nick Castellanos, but the Marlins showed no interest in spending on the outfielder, or anyone of significance at all. Well, as it turns out, not only was that true, Castellanos felt the same way.

That is a tough look for Miami. And another tough break for Castellanos. All the guy does is hit, but every team he apparently loves (yeah, I’m looking at you too, Cubs) is just fine to move on without him. ZiPS has Castellanos projected for .287/.340/.534 (124 wRC+) next season.

He’ll find a home. (Note that Castellanos is tied to draft pick compensation. Just as an FYI.)

Meanwhile, we’ll believe this when we see it.

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1503737080626696193?s=20&t=eKs3HAfTdWxtLdT9bxtVMA

Latest on Freddie Freeman

Every offseason, there’s always one free agent holding up the market. Usually, it’s the guy expected to take home the biggest price tag. Not this year. Freddie Freeman’s total bag will probably be beat by at least Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and maybe also Javy Báez. But he is still lingering on the market, even after his former team traded for his replacement, Matt Olson, last night (and then has already him on an eight-year deal!). So what’s the latest on this winter’s lynchpin?

Well, the most likely outcome – just in my opinion – is a deal with the Dodgers. But there are other teams involved. No, I’m not talking about the Cubs, who were mentioned yesterday, but likely for little more than leverage. A belief strengthened by the fact that the same guy, Jon Heyman, just updated Freeman’s market and oops! Forgot to mention the Cubs this time, less than 18 hours later:

I suppose do believe the Rays interest is increasingly legitimate, for however out of character it may seem. Ken Rosenthal underscored their interest earlier this morning. And while he agrees it sounds unlikely, Rosenthal really hammers the point home:

Yes, the Rays are serious about signing free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, major-league sources say. Yes, they believe they can make it work financially. Will a deal actually come together? Probably not, but just as is the case with their on-field strategy, the Rays’ approach to player acquisition is unique.

I tend to think any teams coming out of the woodwork now are mostly seeing if they can take advantage of Freeman suddenly not having the option of a reunion with Atlanta. But, hey, maybe (1) he doesn’t actually want to play in L.A., or (2) the Dodgers are sticking to one of those super shorter-term, high-AAV deals they love to float with big free agents. Who knows. “Is Freeman to the Rays a longshot? It goes without saying. Their pursuit, though, is not without logic. Rays logic. The unique logic that defines this franchise.”

Odds and Ends:

•   In case you missed it last night, the Rockies are pushing hard to land Kris Bryant, and multiple reports reaffirmed those efforts this morning:

•   The Brewers may have gotten their “bat,” and while we all like Andrew McCutchen, he’s not as scary as their rumored alternatives (Kyle Schwarber or Nelson Cruz):

•   Speaking of Kyle Schwarber, the Blue Jays are reportedly “making a big push” to get him in Toronto:

•   The Reds teardown continues:

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

Latest News

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Friday, March 29, 2024

Today's NBA schedule has 12 quality competitions in store. Among those games is the Minnesota Timberwolves playing the Denver Nuggets.NBA prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building a parlay, you'll...

Updated Elite 8 Odds: UConn Betting Favorite To Win March Madness

There were some great performances last night including a 30-point win by the UConn Huskies sending them to the Elite Eight. Are they the betting favorite to win March Madness? What team is sitting on top of the odds to...

UConn vs. Illinois Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round Elite Eight

The No. 1 seed UConn Huskies (34-3) are 8.5-point favorites to advance to the Final Four when they play the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (29-8) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Saturday at TD Garden, airing on...

Alabama vs. Clemson Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round Elite Eight

The No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11) and No. 6 seed Clemson Tigers (24-11) will both be vying for a spot in the NCAA Tournament Final Four when they meet on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, tipping off at 8:49...

How to Watch UConn Huskies vs. Illinois Fighting Illini: Live Stream or on TV

The No. 1 seed UConn Huskies (34-3) will take on the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (29-8) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Saturday at TD Garden, airing on TBS starting at 6:09 PM ET.UConn won its previous...

Alabama vs. Clemson: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The No. 6 seed Clemson Tigers (24-11) will take the court for an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight matchup with the No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11) on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, airing on TBS beginning at 8:49 PM ET,...

Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

We saw some wild games last night as the Sweet 16 started hot as March Madness continues. There are great matchups tonight worth checking out. Take a look at today's March Madness schedule for Friday, March 29. The Sweet 16...

Big Ten Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big Ten squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Gonzaga Bulldogs versus the Purdue Boilermakers.How to Bet on Big Ten Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1"...

SEC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

The Friday postseason college basketball slate includes two games featuring an SEC team in action. Among those games is the Creighton Bluejays playing the Tennessee Volunteers. Here are our recomendations for the best bets on action throughout the conference.How to...

Big 12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big 12 squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on Big 12 Games[lasso...

more cubs news