Winter Meetings scheduled for next Monday – MLB News
The Winter Meetings are scheduled for next Monday-Thursday in Nashville as the Chicago Cubs are exploring more options to bolster the team. However, the search might not involve contracts for more players.
That is largely because the 40-man roster is almost complete. The past year, the Cubs were in need of pitchers, capable infielders with equal offensive prowess, along with good outfielders. Under the aegis of the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, that target was achieved.
For a team that is undergoing a rebuilding phase, quality starters are what the Cubs have always needed. There was a lot of buzz about who the Cubs might eventually turn to fill the rotation.
A one-year contract with Scott Baker was a step towards that direction. With Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija and Travis Wood already there, Baker is to be a source of strength for the Cubs. As to who will be the fifth starter is yet to be determined.
Theo Epstein had previously spoken about what the Cubs were looking when it came to the pitchers. From multi-year deals to going for ‘buy low’, the Cubs had to choose from an array of options available to them.
"We're pursuing pitchers across the spectrum," Epstein said. "[We're looking at] some guys who might be classified as 'buy low,' there might even be 'buy high' guys, some multiyear deals, some trades. We're looking for pitchers who can step in and improve our rotation. If there are sound investments out there, whether they're big or small, we'll pursue them and try to sign them."
Theo Epstein had also made clear that the Cubs will remain aggressive in free agency; something that is being witnessed at the moment. After a season wherein the Cubs lost 101 games, the choices therefore, have to be made with caution as well.
Like stated earlier, since the Cubs remain in the building phase, with no major title to their credit for years now, next week’s Winter Meetings may offer some surprises as well. However, what the nature of those surprises will be is something that the fans will have to patiently wait and see.
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