Chicago Cubs News: Roster still taking shape as GM meetings approach

As the GM meetings approach, the Chicago Cubs roster has had some subtle changes but will continue to evolve. But John Lackey could be the crown jewel of the winter for the team.

The Chicago Cubs tendered contracts to many of their arbitration-eligible players, and now it’s “wait and see” as far as what they will do the rest of this winter. The signing of John Lackey improves the rotation and while he wasn’t a blockbuster signing, economically it was a great pickup. These contracts don’t guarantee all will be part of the Cubs roster in 2016, only now they would move because of trades which the team may use to improve the team this offseason more so than free agent signings.

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With trades possibly on the forefront for the Cubs, the question is who will be dealt. Names like Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Starlin Castro have been tossed about. But what about Billy McKinney and Wilson Contreras? Our Tim Stebbins believes these are two of the names on the move and not the others that have been mentioned. Is dealing the Cubs best true catcher in the system a smart move to better this year’s team?

The talk of Jeff Samardzija coming to the Cubs came to a close quickly as the San Francisco Giants inked him to a five-year deal after missing out on Zack Greinke. The yearly salary may have been something that the Cubs were willing to pay, but a long-term deal was not. The domino effect of free agency could no leave questions as far as Mike Leake and where he may be headed. Stay tuned for the wild and wacky winter.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Cubs roster continuing to take shape’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Giants, Samardzija agree to deal’ – MLB.com

‘Cubs should move Contreras and McKinney in trade’ – Cubbies Crib

‘O’Day returning to Baltimore’ – ESPN

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