5 teams to watch closely during the 2022 MLB Winter Meetings
By Kevin Henry
Teams to watch closely during MLB Winter Meetings: Chicago Cubs
The good news on the North Side of Chicago? The Cubs went 39-31 in the second half of last season and have plenty of space under the luxury tax heading into this season (estimated payroll of roughly $115.7 million heading into the MLB Winter Meetings), so there are lots of reasons to feel optimistic about what is to come this winter for the Cubs.
The bad news? Jed Hoyer, Chicago’s president of baseball operations, has said that the team will bank on “intelligent spending” this offseason, adding that, “Intelligent spending involves making decisions that make sense for the 2023 season but also aren’t going to hinder what we’re trying to build.”
Maybe it’s not altogether bad news, but it’s also not a glowing endorsement of what the Cubs will do to get back in the mix in the National League Central this season. On paper, Chicago has a lot of holes to fill, including all areas of pitching and adding some power at the plate.
The Cubs have been linked to Michael Conforto and Cody Bellinger, which could address issues at the plate, but that’s only a start of what Chicago needs to do this offseason to once again contend.
Expect the Cubs to be involved in plenty of rumors during the MLB Winter Meetings, and expect them to make some kind of movement during the upcoming week in San Diego.
Next. 5 players who could sign at the MLB Winter Meetings. dark