Chicago Cubs Rumors: The Ricketts family comments on David Ross's future
David Ross had to take some of the blame for the Cubs late-season collapse, in which they failed to make the postseason.
"We're in this together," Ross said, per The Athletic. "I wouldn't separate myself from any player, front office, coach. If we don't get to where we want to get to, I'm the head of the team. I'm the manager of this team. The blame should come on me first."
It was the appropriate response that fans were waiting for, as Ross made several questionable bullpen decisions down the stretch to cost this team. Chicago made a nice jump this season, in large part because they were willing to spend money to improve the on-field product last offseason.
Cody Bellinger and Dansby Swanson paid off. Ross failing to take that team to the playoffs, especially after they invested at the trade deadline, made the Cubs look silly. But would the front office consider letting Ross walk?
"Rossy had a great season, and the players play hard for him," Tom Ricketts told reporters, including Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. "He's our guy."
And there you have it. Some reasonable replacements for Ross included former Cub, Joe Girardi, among others. An opening with such a historic club only comes every so often. Yet, Chicago believes in Ross for now.
Chicago Cubs rumors: Pete Alonso trade talk heats up
Pete Alonso trade talks are heating up for the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. While David Stearns made sure to say he wants Alonso to stay in New York at his introductory press conference, he cannot stop the Cubs from at least making an offer.
"The entire package weighs into it. Pete is a great player. He is also good in the clubhouse, and he is also homegrown. All of that matters," Stearns said. "I expect Pete to be the Opening Day first baseman next year. Pete is an important member of this team. He's an important member of this organization, and I think we're really fortunate to have him."
Per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Chicago still intends on offering a trade package for Alonso.
While it's smart for Chicago to be aggressive, especially with Cody Bellinger and Jeimer Candelario potentially leaving a giant gap at first base, there are some prospects they should hold onto at all cost.
The likes of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who New York will assuredly request in any realistic deal for Alonso, should be off-limits. The Cubs would be better off just paying Bellinger if that's the case, as Crow-Armstrong is one of the best prospects in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline:
"As exciting as Crow-Armstrong's enhanced offensive upside is, it pales in comparison to his defense. Scouts give top-of-the-scale grades to his center-field skills, as he exhibits tremendous range from gap to gap with his combination of plus speed and precision reads and routes, and he completes the package with solid arm strength. He's aggressive in the outfield and on the bases, stealing 32 bags in 43 tries last season."
Trading that kind of resource simply isn't worth it from the Cubs perspective.
Chicago Cubs Rumors: Will Cody Bellinger return?
Cody Bellinger's opt-out decision is an easy one, as the Scott Boras client is likely to receive a litany of lucrative offers on the free-agent market. However, this doesn't mean a return to the Cubs is off the table. When asked about his time in Chicago after the season, Bellinger spoke in the past tense, as if to suggest he was headed elsewhere.
"I really tried to enjoy these last few weeks. Obviously, there is no prediction of the future. Playing for the Cubs organization and Wrigley Field was really special," Bellinger said. ESPN's Jesse Rogers also considers a Bellinger return unlikely.
"My prediction is he will not be a Cubs" Rogers wrote.
Well then. Bellinger received a prove-it deal of sorts from Chicago in the first place, and he did just that. As much as the Cubs could use his services moving forward, Bellinger's return to NL MVP-level prominence deserves a contract to match. The Ricketts' family is notoriously stingy with their money. As Luke Norris of FanSided wrote, it's not a question of 'should' Chicago pursue Bellinger. That answer is obvious.
"So, should the Cubs enter the Cody Bellinger sweepstakes? Yes, they should. They failed to pay any of their big stars when the World Series-winning team was dismantled a few years back, upsetting the fan base...David Ross needs a star to build around, and Bellinger is that guy. The question is whether or not the Ricketts family is ready to open up the checkbook and pay the two-time All-Star what he's worth, which could very well be $25 million (or more) per season."
The higher Bellinger's price tag goes, the more unlikely his return is.
