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New York Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
With the clock ticking on Kyle Tucker in Chicago, the Cubs can't go halfway at the deadline
The sense of urgency for the Chicago Cubs does not simply stem from the prospect of right fielder Kyle Tucker leaving after one year. The Cubs could lose five more important players to the open market after 2026, making an aggressive push at this year's trade deadline all the more imperative. The potential members of the free-agent class of 2026-27 are left fielder Ian Happ, designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, second baseman Nico Hoerner, right-hander Jameson Taillon and left-hander Matt Boyd. That group, combined with Tucker, accounted for 37 percent of the team's fWAR entering Tuesday. And while the Cubs might retain some of those players, they are unlikely to keep all of them, Tucker in particular. Advertisement Their situation is not now or never, not with the emergence of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong giving the 2026 roster a formidable look even if Tucker departs. But ownership's reluctance to sign players long-term, coupled with the possibility of a work stoppage in 2027, adds to the perception of a shrinking window. Or, to use a more dire analogy, walls closing in. The Cubs' biggest need, after losing left-hander Justin Steele to season-ending elbow surgery and righty Javier Assad to a strained left oblique, is a pitcher who could start a postseason game. That type of pitcher almost certainly will be in scant supply at the deadline. But the Cubs, according to sources briefed on their plans, already are canvassing the market, making inquiries on Miami Marlins right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, among many others. Alcantara, owed the balance of his $17 million salary this season and $17 million next season with a $21 million club option for 2027, would require a significant payroll boost. Cabrera, earning $1.95 million with three more years of arbitration remaining, would be a better financial fit – no small consideration for a team that reduced its Opening Day payroll from $214 million in 2024 to $191 million in '25. But the additional club control would make the cost in prospects perhaps even higher. The Marlins are certain to listen on both pitchers. A number of potential free-agent starters, from Arizona's Zac Gallen to Baltimore's Zach Eflin, also could become available. The Cubs might find one of them more palatable, considering the limited salary commitment and reduced cost in prospects. But this is not a time for the team to go halfway. Not if owner Tom Ricketts is serious about winning a World Series in one of the next two years. Which, of course, is an open question. And with the Cubs' lead over the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central down to 2 1/2 games, it's becoming more pressing. Advertisement Lefty Shota Imanaga, who has not pitched since May 4, is scheduled to return from a strained left hamstring Thursday. He would join a rotation that currently includes Taillon, Boyd, rookie Cade Horton and journeyman Colin Rea. The Cubs demoted inconsistent rookie right-hander Ben Brown on Tuesday. If another starter gets hurt, they will be stretched dangerously thin. And like every other contender, they also could use bullpen help. Offensively, the Cubs entered Tuesday ranked second in the majors in runs per game, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were 12th last season with essentially the same cast. Cody Bellinger filled the spot currently occupied by Tucker. Crow-Armstrong was not close to what he has become. The addition of Tucker has been that transformational, producing ripple effects throughout the lineup. His value, like the value of all elite sluggers, goes beyond his numbers. But his price might exceed $500 million. Even if Ricketts was willing to pay Tucker that much – another open question – would he be willing to increase the Cubs' payroll enough to build a strong team around him? The prospect of Tucker and Crow-Armstrong in the same lineup for the next five years should be enticing. First baseman Michael Busch, another dynamic left-handed hitter, is under club control for the next four. Adding to the appeal: Tucker is 28, Busch 27 and Crow-Armstrong 23. The Cubs actually are positioned perfectly to sign Tucker. Their only player under contract beyond 2026 is shortstop Dansby Swanson, who is signed through '29. Of course, the reason their commitments are so low is because Ricketts seems resistant to the notion of paying a player in his decline years. Which, with Tucker, he almost certainly would need to do. Replacing Tucker on the open market, though, also would be no bargain. The Cubs already struck out once on third baseman Alex Bregman, who is likely to opt out of his deal with the Boston Red Sox. With Busch at first, they are not an obvious fit for Pete Alonso, who is likely to opt out of his deal with the New York Mets. A reunion with designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whom they non-tendered in 2020? That would be rich, in more ways than one. Advertisement But first things first: the trade deadline, which is a little more than five weeks away. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, in the last year of his contract, need not prove more to earn an extension. His trade for Tucker was a winner, even if it cost the Cubs a budding star, Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith. His acquisition of Crow-Armstrong for two months of Javier Báez at the 2021 deadline and PCA's subsequent development must now be viewed as a major coup. Hoyer also hit on a number of free agents – Suzuki, Imanaga, Taillon, Boyd. And the Cubs are incorporating homegrown players like Horton, third baseman Matt Shaw and reliever Porter Hodge with varying success. The deadline, though, will be a challenge. Many clubs find the allure of the expanded postseason intoxicating. The number of sellers and the quality of players available might not dramatically increase. A common thought among executives is that the San Francisco Giants' acquisition of Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox might be the biggest trade to take place. If that's the case, the Cubs simply might need to do what they did to land Tucker, and overpay. Teams get only so many chances to play deep into the postseason. The Cubs have made the playoffs only three times since winning the 2016 World Series, and advanced past the wild-card round only once. But right now, they own the third-best record in the NL. The clock is ticking, on Tucker for 2025 and the five potential free agents for 2026. As stirring as the Cubs' season has been, an underlying uncertainty threatens all they've accomplished. The fun might only last so long. (Top photo of Seiya Suzuki and Kyle Tucker: Matt Dirksen / Chicago Cubs / Getty Images)
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Cubs take 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Cardinals
Chicago Cubs (46-33, first in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (44-36, third in the NL Central) St. Louis; Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Matthew Boyd (6-3, 2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 79 strikeouts); Cardinals: Erick Fedde (3-6, 3.54 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 55 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cubs -134, Cardinals +113; over/under is 9 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs enter the matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals after losing three straight games. St. Louis has a 26-15 record in home games and a 44-36 record overall. The Cardinals have a 29-10 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents. Chicago has a 21-18 record on the road and a 46-33 record overall. The Cubs have the seventh-best team batting average in MLB play at .255. The matchup Wednesday is the third time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Lars Nootbaar leads the Cardinals with 11 home runs while slugging .388. Alec Burleson is 14 for 42 with four home runs and 13 RBIs over the past 10 games. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with a .294 batting average, and has 17 doubles, a triple, a home run, 15 walks and 33 RBIs. Kyle Tucker is 14 for 36 with two home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Cardinals: 8-2, .264 batting average, 3.52 ERA, outscored opponents by 25 runs Cubs: 4-6, .246 batting average, 5.80 ERA, outscored by 15 runs INJURIES: Cardinals: Ivan Herrera: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Zack Thompson: 60-Day IL (lat) Cubs: Miguel Amaya: 10-Day IL (oblique), Eli Morgan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shota Imanaga: 15-Day IL (leg), Javier Assad: 60-Day IL (oblique), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs take 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Cardinals
Chicago Cubs (46-33, first in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (44-36, third in the NL Central) St. Louis; Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Matthew Boyd (6-3, 2.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 79 strikeouts); Cardinals: Erick Fedde (3-6, 3.54 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 55 strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cubs -134, Cardinals +113; over/under is 9 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs enter the matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals after losing three straight games. St. Louis has a 26-15 record in home games and a 44-36 record overall. The Cardinals have a 29-10 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents. Chicago has a 21-18 record on the road and a 46-33 record overall. The Cubs have the seventh-best team batting average in MLB play at .255. The matchup Wednesday is the third time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Lars Nootbaar leads the Cardinals with 11 home runs while slugging .388. Alec Burleson is 14 for 42 with four home runs and 13 RBIs over the past 10 games. Advertisement Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with a .294 batting average, and has 17 doubles, a triple, a home run, 15 walks and 33 RBIs. Kyle Tucker is 14 for 36 with two home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Cardinals: 8-2, .264 batting average, 3.52 ERA, outscored opponents by 25 runs Cubs: 4-6, .246 batting average, 5.80 ERA, outscored by 15 runs INJURIES: Cardinals: Ivan Herrera: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Zack Thompson: 60-Day IL (lat) Cubs: Miguel Amaya: 10-Day IL (oblique), Eli Morgan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Shota Imanaga: 15-Day IL (leg), Javier Assad: 60-Day IL (oblique), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs have a night to forget in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS — Pete Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs have hit a low point in what's otherwise been a season full of highs. In a year in which he's emerged as an MVP candidate and one of the faces of the game, Crow-Armstrong had a night to forget in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. In a game the Cubs lost by one run, Crow-Armstrong made a mental mistake on defense and a questionable decision at the plate, the first leading to a Cardinals run and the second costing the Cubs a chance to score the equalizer. Advertisement With one out in the fourth inning and three runs already in for St. Louis, Alec Burleson hit a 402-foot fly ball to center field. Crow-Armstrong camped under the ball on the track and made an easy catch, gently turning into the padded wall, briefly putting his back to the play as he thought the inning had ended. Crow-Armstrong likely heard calls from the infield that Masyn Winn was tagging from second, and he quickly perked up and fired the ball to Nico Hoerner. Winn was hustling from the get-go, rounding third nearly as the ball was caught by Hoerner, who made an errant throw home as the Cardinals scored their eighth run of the game. Crow-Armstrong's bad night didn't end there. In the seventh, with the Cubs having closed the deficit to within one, runners were on the corners with just one out. Crow-Armstrong, batting cleanup, stepped to the plate against lefty JoJo Romero. After taking a first-pitch strike, Crow-Armstrong laid down a bunt that dribbled about halfway between home and the mound. Romero fielded the ball cleanly and easily got Crow-Armstrong out at first. While Seiya Suzuki was able to advance to second, Kyle Tucker barely drifted off third. Two pitches later, Dansby Swanson fouled out to end the threat. Crow-Armstrong was waiting at his locker for the media after the game, clearly upset with his performance. He agreed that it was as simple as forgetting the outs in the moment, despite announcing the situation just moments before. 'We give the outs every out and I gave two outs,' he said. 'So can't really do much about that.' His manager wasn't about to excoriate the MVP candidate for a rare misstep. 'He just made a mistake,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'Obviously lost track of the outs and it's just a mistake.' Pete Crow-Armstrong forgot how many outs there were, and Masyn Winn capitalized for the Cardinals. 🎥 @MLB — The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) June 25, 2025 Jameson Taillon was on the mound for the defensive miscue. The starter has been strong for much of the season, but like the team, has hit a rough patch. His bad outing last Thursday was the start of the Cubs' current skid, losing five of six games. 'He's been so good for us this year,' Taillon said. 'Obviously, he's one of the best defenders in baseball; that's just a freak thing. He takes a lot of pride in his defense. Takes a lot of pride in being a great teammate. I'm not too worried about it. I'm just mad at myself for giving up the homers and giving up a lot of hard contact. I'm not too concerned with the eighth run I gave up; I'm concerned with all eight.' Advertisement With regards to the bunt, Counsell said Crow-Armstrong did that on his own. While the manager didn't make the call, he explained Crow-Armstrong's thinking. 'It's against a left-handed pitcher,' Counsell said. 'He wants the ball in play, that's what he's thinking, just get the ball in play. And he made a poor bunt.' Entering play on Tuesday, Crow-Armstrong had a 31.5 percent strikeout rate against lefties. Against righties, it's 10 points lower. But the decision was still perplexing. Crow-Armstrong also had 10 extra-base hits against lefties this season, including five home runs. When he does make contact, it's often in the air. Even if it were on the ground, his tremendous speed means a double play is unlikely. 'That was an attempt for a little push bunt and try to bunt for a base hit,' Crow-Armstrong said. 'I didn't do a good job of playing the game of baseball today.' Perhaps that's true. But he wasn't the only one. In his first 14 starts of the season, Taillon had a 3.48 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP while delivering 10 quality starts. But over his last two outings, Taillon has combined for eight innings and 13 runs allowed. With three more home runs given up, he's at 21 on the season, second-most in all of baseball and matching his total from last season. 'It felt like the game was pretty easy for me there for six weeks or whatever,' Taillon said. 'Now it's really hard again. You just expect that at some point in the season, and it's about punching back and finding a way to fix it as fast as possible.' For Swanson, he's batting fifth in a potent lineup and coming up with runners on base quite regularly. On Tuesday, he grounded out to end the game with runners on second and third. He failed to come through after Crow-Armstrong laid down his ill-fated bunt. On the season, Swanson is hitting .141 with runners in scoring position with a .218 slugging percentage. With nobody on, he has a .279 batting average with a .508 slugging percentage. Twelve of his 15 homers have come with the bases empty. Advertisement 'Really, all year I've been pretty bad at it, to be honest,' Swanson said. 'I think a lot of it is being able to simplify and focus on hitting the ball somewhere and good things will be able to happen. I'm not really holding my end of the bargain up in that regard. It's definitely something that frustrates me and I gotta be better with.' This rough patch doesn't fall on one person. And it also isn't a sign that this team is falling apart. When the Cubs went to Philadelphia earlier this month, that team had lost nine of 10. They followed that up with a 9-2 run. The New York Yankees recently lost seven of eight as their strong offense briefly disappeared. The New York Mets are currently sputtering, losing 10 of their last 11. This is a baseball season. Long and winding. The key for the Cubs is finding a way to quickly pull themselves out of this mess. They have to avoid what happened in the previous two seasons and make sure this isn't a tailspin, but rather a bump in the road. 'It's part of this game,' Swanson said. 'So much about a season is being able to weather times when you're not feeling like you're playing up to your best as a group. I know this group is tough enough to get over it. Sometimes it's just a part of it and we gotta keep coming and look for ways to continue to get better.' In just a week, the Cubs have gone from having a 6 1/2 game lead in the division, their largest of the year, to just 2 1/2 games, their smallest since May 27. The Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are breathing down their necks. They need to flush the last week of baseball as quickly as possible. How? Perhaps it's as easy as Crow-Armstrong said: 'Go to sleep and wake up.' (Photo of Pete Crow-Armstrong looking on after Masyn Winn scored from second on a sacrifice fly: Jeff Curry / Imagn Images)
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Cubs drop 3rd straight with loss to Cardinals
Masyn Winn homered, drove in four runs and scored twice to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-7 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night, their seventh win their last eight games. Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out one and walking one. Steven Matz (4-2) went 1 1/3 innings of relief and Ryan Helsley earned his 15th save in 20 tries. The Cubs lost their third straight, tying a season high. Lars Nootbaar gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the second and Winn hit a two-run homer in the third. Nolan Gorman sparked a four-run rally in the fourth with a 432-foot leadoff home run to tie it at 5-all. Winn gave the Cardinals the lead with a two run double and scored from second on Alec Burleson's sacrifice fly to deep center to make it 8-5. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (7-5) allowed eight runs on eight hits. Seiya Suzuki's three-run homer, a 404-foot shot that left his bat at 110.2 mph, capped a five-run third. It came immediately after Kyle Tucker's two-run single as the Cubs took a 5-2 lead. Nico Hoerner's first homer run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth, cut the Cardinals lead to 8-7. Key moment With the Cubs trailing by one and runners on first and third with one out in the seventh, Crow-Armstrong attempted to bunt. The bunt was cleanly fielded by JoJo Romero, who held Tucker at third and threw out Crow-Armstrong. Burleson then made an off-balance catch against the netting along the right field line on Dansby Swanson's popup to end the threat. Key stat The Cardinals have hit nine home runs in their last four games. The team hit 75 homers in their previous 77 games. Up next The Cubs will start LHP Matthew Boyd (6-3, 2.84 ERA) against Cardinals RHP Erick Fedde (3-6, 3.54) on Wednesday.
