“We’re certainly not done with our offseason" - Cubs' Jed Hoyer believes there are more additions in store, opens up about areas where club needs help
The Chicago Cubs made their first major offseason move aside from bringing in Craig Counsell as the team's new manager heading into the new season. They signed left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga on Tuesday.
The two sides agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal. Imanaga is a great addition to the club and should be an excellent middle-of-the-road starter. He is coming off a season where he compiled a 7-5 record with a 2.45 ERA.
The team still has some holes to fill after signing Imanaga. This is something that the president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, has addressed. The Imanaga signing is not the only move the club is expected to make this offseason.
"We're certainly not done with our offseason by any stretch" stated Hoyer.
Hoyer has stated that the Cubs are just getting started with their offseason plans. They are currently talking to multiple players and are looking to bring in another reliever and depth.
"Still want to add to the bullpen this offseason, and stilll want to add depth to the roster" said Hoyer.
It is setting up to be an exciting season for the Chicago Northsiders. They have a great group of young and veteran players and will play in a division that seems to be pretty open.
Who could the Cubs target next?
One player the Cubs have been tied to is relief pitcher Robert Stephenson. He is coming off a season split with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, where he held a 3.10 ERA across 52.1 innings of work.
The team already has an established closer in Adbert Alzolay, so Stephenson would work as the set-up man. However, MLB Trade Rumors have Stephenson projected to earn a four-year, $36 million deal. That might be a bit too pricey for Hoyer and company.
Another player the club has been tied to is Cody Bellinger. Bellinger spent the 2023 season with the team, working on a prove-it contract. He finished the year with a .307 average and 26 home runs.
Bellinger finally looks to be back on track but will likely command a monster contract. His projected salary is somewhere in the 12-year, $264 million range.
That will not be too bad of a contract if he can continue to perform like he did in 2023, but time will tell. Before the 2023 season, Bellinger looked like a shell of his former self.