Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs bring back Henry Blanco

As the Pablo Sandoval sweepstakes winds down, three teams have extended final offers in the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. All three teams reportedly have made offers in excess of $90 million and a decision is expected ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday next week.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Cubs need to walk the walk this winter after talking the talk
• Alec Mills shocked Cubs fans, baseball world with 2020 no-hitter
• Cubs: After season of adjustments, Seiya Suzuki primed for monster 2023
• Projecting the 2023 Cubs Opening Day lineup
• Cubs: 2022 season a ‘success,’ according to Tom Ricketts

Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields are all still on the open market – and all three could be targets of the Chicago Cubs’ Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer this offseason. Lester reportedly has an offer from his Red Sox in hand and is set to meet with at least two more teams in the upcoming week. In other Cubs-related news, the team brought back former catcher Henry Blanco – this time as the team’s quality assurance coach.

In the FanSided Mock Winter Meetings, the Cubs traded Luis Valbuena to the Giants in exchange for two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and sent a Minor League outfielder to Kansas City in exchange for left-handed reliever Tim Collins. The FanSided MLB Division’s mock event winds down this weekend, so be sure to keep an eye out on the latest faux trades and signings.

Here’s more from around the league:

“Sandoval said to be weighing offers” – Call to the Pen

“Cubs hire Henry Blanco as new coach” – Cubbies Crib

“Dodgers acquire Bolsinger” – MLB.com

“Braves rebuilding with an eye on 2017” – ESPN

“Cubs’ Rizzo excited to play for Joe Maddon” – Cubbies Crib