Chicago Cubs make more moves as Winter Meetings end – MLB News
Surprises were expected to be numerous; but there were only a few of them in the Winter Meetings for the Chicago Cubs. Those few surprises far outweighed the many otherwise ‘unsurprising surprises’.
The Cubs are now reported to have re-signed third baseman Ian Stewart, a move which seemed unthinkable a few days ago. The one-year deal carrying $2 million – which also includes $500,000 in incentives, ushers in a good change.
The Winter Meetings generally seemed quiet for the Chicago Cubs since there was no big name that the club added to the roster through the offseason deals. But at the end of the meetings, Jed Hoyer – the Cubs' general manager, seemed it was just the beginning of good things to come ahead.
"There's a long way to go until we get to Mesa [Ariz.]," general manager said. "We all have to remind ourselves that. There are still a lot of players out there and still a lot of time. Leaving here, sometimes you feel it's closer to the end of the offseason than the beginning, but it's actually closer to the beginning. There's still a lot of time left, and we have resources left."
Cubs, as reports suggested, were on lookout for some positions to fill in the roster. Those included one for reliever Jason Grilli and a free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger. But the Cubs could not sign any of the two as both signed contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox.
But Jed Hoyer seems optimistic. "I'm hopeful some of the things we've been working on the last couple days will lead to things in the next days or weeks," Hoyer said.
The Cubs were able to add starters in rotation last month after they signed Scott Baker and Scott Feldman. With that, they had addressed an area which needed their attention. The four days of Winter Meetings, on the other hand, were to bring in their fold some players to fill the remaining holes.
Crucial as they are, to be seen now is what the Chicago Cubs do in the days ahead as the teams prepare themselves for the Spring Training.
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