Cubs and the GM Meetings

Today marked the conclusion of the MLB General Manager Meetings. The prelude to the Winter Meetings ended with no trades or deals by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, but the GM Meetings typically do not see much breaking news on the transaction front. They typically allow General Managers to have preliminary talks on needs and wants, while also laying groundwork for possible deals.

June 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer before the game against the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field. Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Agents for players can also be found at these meetings. The Cubs are known to have spoken with plenty of them as they look to address their holes on the pitching staff and third base. Epstein and Hoyer are also apparently looking to add to the outfielder mix. Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus assume to anchor the corner outfield spots unless either or both get traded, but it appears there is an opening in center field since Brett Jackson did not seize it in his tryout this past September. Despite Tony Campana’s blazing speed, his lack of a bat leaves him as a fifth outfielder at best.

Bottom line, no news does not mean bad news for the Cubs this off season. All North Side fans by now have accepted the reality that there will be no splashes made this off season from the free agent market. However, based on the front office’s efforts the past few days, fans should definitely be ready for plenty of rumors to fire up the hot stove on blast come post Thanksgiving and December.