Chicago Cubs News: Cardinals busy; The Bartman conundrum

The Chicago Cubs offseason is in full swing and has been since the last out of the World Series. While the Cubs are likely to be low-key this winter, the St. Louis Cardinals have been a busy group.

Last year, the Chicago Cubs signed Jason Heyward and John Lackey away from their rivals. Could the Cardinals be looking to do the same this winter? The Cards have been busy,and it seems their name has been linked to several big free agents. They’ve already inked Brett Cecil to a four-year deal. Are they now after former Cub Dexter Fowler? It’s rumored he’s looking for a four-year deal, and the Cards might be willing to give it to him. While that might sting a bit if it happens, it not “show friends”, it’s showbusiness.

Cubs’ owner Tom Ricketts has said he would like to reach out to Steve Bartman “when the time is right”. It’s been 13 years since that night. While I do think that Ricketts is thinking with his heart, it may simply be time to let Bartman lead a normal life. Something that hasn’t been easy for him since that fall night in 2003.

With the Rule 5 Draft on December 8, the Cubs have looked to finalize their 40-man roster ahead of then. The Cubs added five players to it, including newly acquired David Rollins that they picked up off of waivers from Seattle. If not for the rise of Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, and Addison Russell–those three would have needed to be protected this season. Come see who the Cubs protected this year.

These and other stories you might have missed:

‘Cards busy this winter trying to catch the Cubs’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs add five to 40-man ahead of Rule 5 Draft’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs’ Happ homers twice in AFL title game’ – MLB.com

‘Should the Cubs reach out to Bartman? – Cubbies Crib

‘Cards place big bet on Cecil’ – ESPN

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