The Rundown: Cubs Need 1 More Impact Player, Busch Raking, Sasaki Wows, Portland Unveils Stadium Plans

The Cubs have an excess of riches in their farm system, and those players would form the core of current and future championship windows in a perfect world. Were it not for a few significant trades last winter and this, Chicago could have had 10-11 prospects in the current MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospect List. Tanking, as the front office (sorta) did when Jed Hoyer initially replaced Theo Epstein, has its benefits. Even so, Hoyer and VP of scouting Dan Kantrovitz deserve credit for leading a series of successful drafts while keeping the team semi-competitive.

It seems laughable, but putting up with two seasons of Frank Schwindel and Rafael Ortega netted draft picks Cade Horton, Jackson Ferris, Brandon Birdsell, Matt Shaw, Jaxon Wiggins, and Zyhir Hope. Ferris and Hope were traded for Michael Busch, who had a stellar rookie season for the Cubs in 2024. Top prospects Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcántara were also acquired in trades, as was Ben Brown. Chicago’s prospect depth allowed Hoyer to trade Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith — last year’s top pick — for Kyle Tucker.

Everybody wants the Cubs to extend Tucker, and rightfully so. Prospect huggers have deemed the cost to acquire the right fielder excessively prohibitive if he is a one-year rental. Hoyer also traded Cody Bellinger, who was left without a position once Tucker joined Chicago’s North Side Baseballers. The Cubs have the feel of a 90-win team even though many projection systems place them in a range of 85-88 wins. Each team that made the NL playoffs last season won 89 games or more. It’s no fun being baseball’s perennial bridesmaid.

It appears that Hoyer’s hands are tied in free agency, and he is usually loath to part with his prospects. Smith was an exception because Tucker is an exceptional player, but relying on the roster to outperform projections carries a lot of risk. Injuries and/or prolonged slumps have hurt the Cubs in each of the last two seasons. Few of us, if any, knew what Hoyer meant when he said he’d have to get creative to build this year’s roster. Based on what we’ve seen, it’s fair to assume he knew this year’s budget constraints long before free agency began.

Chicago is still a player short despite Hoyer’s deft offseason maneuverings. Said player may not come until after the season has started, so keep an eye on Bo Bichette, Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, and anybody who plays for the White Sox, Rockies, or Marlins. Brown could be the bait. I’m frankly shocked that the Cubs have yet to reach an agreement with David Robertson have yet to reach an agreement on a contract. It would be nice if Tom Ricketts would allow Hoyer to go for the jugular and build a team that enters each season as a legitimate threat to go to the World Series. Hoyer will instead attempt to thread the needle for at least another year, and perhaps beyond if Tucker walks after this season.

Cubs News & Notes

• Busch is locked in this spring, and his 11 hits rank first among all players in Cactus League action.
• Brad Keller has been a pleasant surprise in Arizona. He’s a non-roster invitee staking a claim for a roster spot thanks to a big increase in velocity. I’d love to see Keller and Gage Workman make the team, though it will be a considerable challenge for either to stick.
• Horton, James Triantos, and Moises Ballesteros were added to the Cubs Spring Breakout roster. The Cubs will field a prospects-only lineup to face prospects from the Dodgers’ system at 8:05pm CT on March 13 at Camelback Ranch. Chicago will host prospects from the Angels’ system at 8:05pm CT on March 15 at Sloan Park. Ferris may face the Cubs on the 13th. Should be interesting.
• Alcántara is making a strong case to break camp with the team next month.

Odds & Sods

Rōki Sasaki is that dude, in case you needed another reason to hate the Dodgers. He’ll start one of the games against the Cubs in Tokyo.

All 7 Swings & Misses on Rōki Sasaki's Splitter from last night.

87% Whiff Rate. 😲 pic.twitter.com/2qm3O0dObi

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 5, 2025

Central Intelligence

• Milwaukee: The Brewers placed DL Hall on the 60-day IL to open a roster spot for José Quintana.
• St. Louis: Outfielder Jordan Walker hurt his knee when he stepped on a stadium sprinkler while chasing a fly ball. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said the team would take a cautious approach to Walker’s knee over the next week.
• Cincinnati: Rookie hurler Chase Petty drew Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his first Cactus League start, and the Reds’ No. 6 prospect was equally impressive.
• Pittsburgh: New Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham discourages the use of filters while talking smack with opposing fans.

Spring Training News & Notes

Portland hopes to be granted an expansion franchise, and its proposed 32,000-seat translucent stadium with a retractable roof is a strong selling point. The renderings are incredible.

Sasaki’s splitter looks like baseball’s next great pitch.

Reds manager Terry Francona invited Dustin Pedroia to come to camp and speak to his players.

Torii Hunter is helping Mike Trout transition to right field. Hunter also indicated he hopes to eventually manage a big league team.

Garrett Crochet continues to dominate. The Red Sox lefty struck out seven batters in Wednesday’s 44-pitch outing.

First Anthony Rizzo, and now Adam Duvall. Like Rizzo, Duvall will choose not to play unless given a contract commensurate with his existing body of work.

Extra Innings

Brown is an enigma. He will remind you of Kerry Wood at times, but he also gives up a lot of hard contact. The Cubs need to find a role for the 25-year-old. Is Brown a starter, a lights-out swingman/middle reliever, or a late-inning arm? Javier Assad is injured and Matthew Boyd is injury-prone, so I’d expect Brown to go to Iowa and work on a third pitch as a starter. He could be trade bait, too. Who knows? Maybe Tyler Zombro can help to make Brown’s jaw-dropping stuff play up even more.

They Said It

• “Tucker is a true superstar. He’s an incredible player. He does every part of baseball well, which you don’t see from many players, even guys that are All-Stars every year. There aren’t many guys that truly do all parts of the game at a high level. He does that, and it makes everyone around you better.” – Nico Hoerner
• “We’ve made decisions to move wins forward. You don’t make a trade for Tucker if you don’t feel like you have a really strong team going into that year.” – Carter Hawkins
• “We did have a lot of team success over in Houston. I’m hoping to continue that here in Chicago. I’m excited to get after it with these guys. We have a good ballclub. We have a really good opportunity to have a lot of success this year, and make it to the playoffs and have a run at the World Series.” – Tucker
• “Keller certainly was a little more than we expected, and that’s always a good thing.” – Craig Counsell

Thursday Walk-Up Song

There is no video today because I like to keep my YouTubage at one embed per article. I won’t leave you hanging, though. Check out Charley Crockett’s new drop. It’s a little more country and western than most of the stuff I post here, but it’s good nonetheless.