The Chicago Cubs and President Jed Hoyer appear to be focused on winning a division title in 2024, and they may pull off a major move to get there.
The Chicago Cubs and President Jed Hoyer appear to be focused on winning a division title in 2024, and they may pull off a major move to get there.
The Chicago Cubs are resolute in their pursuit of the NL Central title in 2024 following a busy summer of additions. Depending on how the season plays out, they may be poised to make a major trade at the deadline to further enhance their chances.
Shane Bieber, a 2020 pitching triple-crown champion and veteran of the Cleveland Guardians, might provide such a boost, according to Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, who was analyzing the future of one of 2024’s “most intriguing candidates.”
“Yes, even if the Guardians move Bieber even if they’re in contention, I’ll say the Cubs land him at the deadline,” Perry commented. “It looks like Chicago could have a close race for the NL Central title, and adding Bieber to a rotation that could use some assistance up front seems possible.”
The Chicago Cubs Are Anticipating a Close Playoff Race
This winter, the Cubs were among the top 12 MLB spenders, thanks to their decision to sign blockbuster contracts for Cody Bellinger and Shota Imanaga.
As of right now, FanGraphs projects the Cubs to finish with 82 wins, which is second most in their division. The Milwaukee Brewers are predicted to finish with 80 wins, the Cincinnati Reds with 79 wins, the Pittsburgh Pirates with 77 wins, and the St. Louis Cardinals with 83 wins, which would be a close victory. To put it briefly, it might be a close race, and the Cubs might require a midseason addition to get over the finish line.
For any team hoping to gain an advantage over their rivals in the regular season or even make a postseason push, Bieber is a strong trade option.
A two-time All-Star, he led the Major League in wins, strikeouts, and 1.63 ERA in his triple crown-winning 2020 season, which was cut short by the COVID-19 epidemic. In that season, he also earned the Cy Young award. With a 3.80 ERA over 128 innings in his age-28 season last year, his stats declined, but if he shows signs of recovery to start 2024, multiple teams may be vying for his services.
What Would Shane Bieber Cost the Chicago Cubs in a Trade?
Since Bieber is about to become a free agent after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $13.125 million in order to avoid arbitration in 2024, the Guardians may be open to parting ways with him. According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, Bieber is expected to sign a seven-year, $195 million contract for 2025 and beyond. Before allowing him to test the market, his current team may wish to receive some assets in return.
Steve DiMatteo of FanSided wrote, “Though it didn’t happen this offseason, there’s a distinct possibility that Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber could be dealt sometime around the trade deadline this year.”
Perry said that the Cubs possess the kind of prospect capital necessary to close a deal.
“The Cubs have a strong farm system, especially with regard to position players, and they have the potential to capitalize on this depth to secure a deadline-worthy acquisition,” the author stated.
The Cubs have a number of excellent position-playing prospects, including James Triantos, a plus-contact second baseman, Matt Shaw, the 13th overall pick in 2023, and Moises Ballesteros, a dual catcher and first base prospect.
