Bleacher Bums Forum

Back to the question whether Jed values character and what how players view the organization. It certainly seems based on who he signs is that he does and that comments from players seem positive.  I do wonder given that the Cubs will not likely extend any of their home grown players at year six ((except for a couple of years beyond) that has to be a negative for the players.  ....

I wonder if the upcoming expirings will be a little easier to extend?  Bryant and Baez, they emerged as superstars early, and always expected superstar deals; but neither really was worth superstar contract to the cubs when their time came.  Happ, Hoerner, Suzuki, those three guys are not the same types of guys, or in the same types of age.  Hoerner is really good, but not sure that he's going to command a superstar deal, with superstar length?  Happ certainly will not.  So, maybe those guys will be a little easier to extend? 

I'd like to think that Hoerner and Suzuki will be worth extending, and will do so on deals that aren't extreme.  Happ, I'm kinda nervous that his bat and power won't age well, and I'd like to hope that we'd have other younger cheaper options.  (Caissie, Alcantara, Conrad....).

But yeah, it would be really lame if for a guy like Hoerner they just let him walk. 

On the quality of conditions and the Cubs care and support for families, etc., I wonder if players don't realize how good they've got it until after they leave?  Sometimes you assume it will be the same everywhere, until you leave and find out it isn't....

Alcantara has an option remaining for 2026.

PCA started 153 games in 2025. Not too many games left in CF beyond that.

Sure, it’s very possible that Alcantara fills a bench spot. But I doubt it. Think Cubs will bring in a veteran righty bat for bench.

Alcantara has an option remaining for 2026.....

Ah, that completely changes my analysis, if true.  Cots says he doesn't. 



I hope you're right.  Who knows what good one more year of full-time developmental AB's at Iowa might produce?  Having the roster flexibility for a better hitter might be really useful, *IF* the guy can actually hit.     

So *IF* KA can option at Iowa, they could replace him with a veteran.

An unlikely but not impossible alternative would be to replace him with Moises?  Keep both Caissie and Ballesteros as lefty hitters on roster?  At present, we don't really know how MOises and Caissie will do.  Moises might just win that DH role, whereas Caissie might be overwhelmed by big-league pitching?  Conversely, it's possible that Caissie will hit well, with HR power that Moises doesn't have.  Spring training might not be sufficient to determine how that's going to play out, so, maybe keep both?

For example, suppose there are 6 games against RHP.  Moises and Owen could each get 3 starts?  Caissie could start twice in RF, giving Seiya two DH-rest games, plus get his third start  at DH.  Moises could get the other 3 DH starts.  Each would get enough AB and opportunities to stay sharp and to keep developing.  If Caissie's power makes him obviously preferable, after a while you can shift the relative usage, obviously, or vice-versa. 

I wonder if the upcoming expirings will be a little easier to extend?  Bryant and Baez, they emerged as superstars early, and always expected superstar deals; but neither really was worth superstar contract to the cubs when their time came.  Happ, Hoerner, Suzuki, those three guys are not the same types of guys, or in the same types of age.  Hoerner is really good, but not sure that he's going to command a superstar deal, with superstar length?  Happ certainly will not.  So, maybe those guys will be a little easier to extend? 

I'd like to think that Hoerner and Suzuki will be worth extending, and will do so on deals that aren't extreme.  Happ, I'm kinda nervous that his bat and power won't age well, and I'd like to hope that we'd have other younger cheaper options.  (Caissie, Alcantara, Conrad....).

But yeah, it would be really lame if for a guy like Hoerner they just let him walk. 

I agree that Hoerner will be easier to extend, and I will be surprised of the Cubs do not extend him, perhaps even a 6 year deal.  I doubt that they would go beyond that.  They signed Swanson to 7 years, and I think they believe that it was well worth it.
I think Suzuki also would be easy to extend, as far as money is concerned.  If he goes elsewhere, it might be because the Cubs will not guarantee him a non-DH position.

I think the Cubs would love to extend PCA to a 7 - 8 year deal.  But I doubt that his agent would advise him to sign one at this point in his career to any non-Soto like contract.

I think that Happ would love to sign a new contract, at a not unreasonable salary.  I hope the Cubs don't do it.  A sub 250 batting average, and a sub 800 OPS should not be in left field.  Left field or first base it the hiding place for slow footed sluggers that provide substantial power, and Happ substantial power is not part of Happ's game.  Left field is where you park an Alanso or a Schwarber, where power production is most useful, and defense is least harmful.  Happ's defense is great, but it does not provide enough utility to substitute for 40 home runs.

If the Cubs feel that the DH spot should be used as a resting space for regulars (something I disagree with intensely) I hope they give Ballesteros a full shot in left field.  He would be better than Moreland in just about every respect, both offensively and defensively, in my opinion.  And the Power may well develop as he gains experience.

craig - I'm a bit surprised you seem to assume that the Cubs won't have both Caissie and Ballesteros on the 25 man roster to start the season. Caissie certainly seems to be a sure thing and Counsell raved about Ballesteros' ability at the plate. It certainly seemed like he expects him to be on the team next year, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

Happ was second among NL LFers in WAR in 2025.

Thanks guys!  If both Az Phil and AI agree, the question is answered definitively!  Awesome! 

Alcantara getting the extra option year, that's wonderful for roster flexibility.  More importantly, I love that for Alcantara's career development.  Perhaps one more year of Iowa AB 's will do nothing more than confirm that he doesn't have the contact skills or in-game HR-capacity to be a big-league starter.  But I love getting another year of opportunity.  It would be really good for him and the Cubs if he can improve and emerge as a good asset.  Maybe even start to bash a bunch of HR's and emerge as a HR asset?