Protecting Prospects, Jensen’s Stuff, Rule 5 Vagaries, First Base Prospect Synchronicity, and Other Cubs Bullets

We got our Christmas lights up on the house – yup, we go early, deal with it – but I can’t get the timer to work, so I have to do it manually every night. It’s fine for now, but I already dread a -10 night with snow all over when I have to go out at 11pm and manually switch off the lights. Stupid timer …

  • Whew. Yesterday was a busy one. Not only was there the normal flurry of rumors you expect this time of year – a little heavier Cubs-adjacent rumors this year, though – but there was the Qualifying Offer decision deadline (which is its own news, but also spurs activity), and the Rule 5 roster protection deadline (also its own news, but also spurs lots of activity). That all led to Willson Contreras saying goodbye again, the Cubs’ first trade of the offseason, the first free agent signing with a new team of the offseason, Anthony Rizzo finally re-upping with the Yankees, and the Cubs adding four prospects to the 40-man roster.
  • On that last one, with Brennen Davis, Ben Brown, Kevin Alcántara, and Ryan Jensen the four Rule 5 eligible prospects the Cubs decided to protect, that means not only that the other eligible prospects can be drafted next month, but it also means those close calls will all have to now be sure to at least be protected from the MINOR LEAGUE phase of the Rule 5 Draft (where there are no future roster requirements – if you get taken, you’re gone forever). Bryan put together a list here of guys he sees being protected at that level, and looking over it, I can immediately tell there are going to be some legit guys who the Cubs can’t even squeeze onto this list. They will lose a guy or two or three in the minor league phase this year. You can bank on it, unfortunately.
  • To the second point there, I suspect we will see some non-tenders for the Cubs on Friday. Why not drop them yesterday? Well, because (1) you might get a trade opportunity in the meantime; (2) you might really be on the fence about them, depending on what else happens this week; and (3) you might be able to work out pre-tender deals that make sense for you rather than a non-tender. In other words: don’t make the decision until you have to. (More coming later today on the roster crunch stuff, by the way – it’s still quite real, since the Cubs are going to have to add another five or six or seven or more free agents from here.)
  • Yes to Bryan’s point, but also it’s a helluva good cutter for Ryan Jensen, who could theoretically appear out of the Cubs’ bullpen sometime in 2023 (though I think the Cubs will otherwise keep letting him start in the minors for another year, at least):
  • Nerdy fun fact about stashing prospects after you take them in the Rule 5 Draft:
  • This seems to have been a surprise to Mets fans:
  • Mangum is a switch-hitting 26-year-old who put up good numbers at Triple-A (small sample, more of a contact guy with high BABIP, so it’s a bit dubious). But if he’s a “defensive whiz” in center field, I wonder if he falls into a group of guys the Cubs might CONSIDER in the Rule 5 as a quality outfield/bench option.
  • Terry Francona and Buck Showalter take home Manager of the Year honors. I think it’s nice and all, but I don’t really have much love for that particular award. It’s fine. Whatever.
  • Well this figures to be awesome:
  • Matt Mervis is moving to a big-time agency:
  • There’s probably nothing imminent to that change, but you always wonder – any time there’s an agency change – whether there are going to be contract-related efforts coming. For Mervis, I suppose that would have to be the ultra-rare deal that comes before a guy even debuts, but I would think that’s extremely unlikely. Then again, as an older prospect with very little “breakout” time under his belt, and as an undrafted free agent who signed for pennies, maybe he would be interested in getting a guaranteed chunk of money. You never know.
  • In a weird bit of synchronicity there, one of the last guys to get a pre-debut deal like that was former Astros first base prospect Jon Singleton, who signed for a $10 million guarantee before he played a big league inning. That deal wound up great for him, because he otherwise washed out long before he would’ve earned that money the traditional way. HOWEVER, guess who was back in the news just yesterday? JON SINGLETON. He was just added to the Brewers’ 40-man roster. Isn’t that crazy?
  • The now-31-year-old Singleton hit pretty well at Triple-A for the Brewers this past season (after five years away from affiliated ball), and since he has virtually no service time, the Brewers clearly wanted to make sure they could keep him for a long time if he can contribute in the big leagues. The rub is that his deal with the Astros used up all his minor league options, so he either has to make the Brewers’ big league roster out of Spring Training or hit waivers.
  • This is a long, long, dense letter, but I think it means the Royals are gonna develop a new stadium in downtown Kansas City:
  • And then there was one:
  • Early Black Friday Deals at Amazon is still ongoing, with all kinds of stuff to peruse. #ad
  • 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

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

    Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

    Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

    A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

    MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

    The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Cubs Farm Report | May 13, 2024: Homers by Davis, Mervis Not Enough in Iowa on Sunday

    Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...

    How I Feel About Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs Rotation Plans After Yesterday’s Start

    Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won a game started by Kyle Hendricks and closed by Adbert Alzolay. Factually, that is what happened. I know. That's wild. Of course, that's what would've been the expected outcome last season for two of the...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Twins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    Target Field is buzzing with anticipation as the Minnesota Twins heat up for the remainder of their 2024 MLB Schedule. We’re here to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. Let’s take a look at the Minnesota Twins'...

    How to Watch Brewers Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    Summer in Milwaukee sizzles with baseball fever, and American Family Field is roaring with the energy of the Brewers faithful! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Brew Crew or just enjoy catching some local baseball, we’re here with the...

    Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

    The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

    MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

    Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

    Where is the 2024 PGA Championship? Valhalla Golf Club Course Details

    The PGA Championship, which is the second major of the 2024 calendar, will hold its 106th edition at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. The course was designed by the all-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, and is ranked as the top course...

    How to Watch Marlins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    The South Florida sun is shining, and there’s plenty of baseball still to be played at loanDepot Park. Whether you're cheering the Marlins on from the stands or following the action remotely, they have a loaded remaining 2024 MLB schedule....

    All-Time PGA Championship Winners

    The PGA Championship is one of four major championships on the men's professional golf calendar, alongside the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Since its inception in 1916, the PGA Championship has been held every year, with the exception of...

    Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

    The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

    more cubs news