Chicago Cubs News: PECOTA’s projections; Maness on the radar?

Baseball Prospectus released its PECOTA projections for 2017, and the Chicago Cubs were strong–if not interesting. The Cubs are expected to win the division once again, but with less wins this year.

With the PECOTA projections released, we can all start talking baseball. Well, the Chicago Cubs were on our minds anyhow, but this gives us a good starting point for this years team. Will the team regress in 2017? It’s hard to believe there won’t be some as the Cubs overachieved in many cases last season. But even after losing Dexter Fowler and Jason Hammel, things should still look strong for the 2017 squad.

The Cubs were one of 16 teams to attend a pitching showcase for former St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Seth Maness. After injuring his ulnar collateral ligament last season, Maness took a different route from Tommy John surgery. He’s the first to have the surgery, but it has him on pace to be back for Opening Day–just eight months after his surgery. Could he be a low risk, high reward signing?

The Cubs have signed several pitchers this offseason that they hope to turn around–similar to Maness. Another one of those was Eddie Butler, a former top prospect of the Colorado Rockies. Cubs senior vice president of player development Jason McLeod feels very good about the pick up of Butler. Could he be the team’s next Jake Arrieta?

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘PECOTA misses the mark on 2017 Cubs’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs on hand for Maness showcase’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Rangers sign Napoli to one-year deal‘ – Nolan Writin’

‘McLeod feel good about the Butler addition‘ – Cubbies Crib

‘Rizzo continues to inspire us to better ourselves’ – Cubbies Crib

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