Chicago Cubs will learn a lot from rivals’ moves at Winter Meetings

The Chicago Cubs will learn a lot about the teams they’ll square off against in the NL Central this week at baseball’s annual Winter Meetings.

Every fan base across Major League Baseball anxiously awaits the start of the Winter Meetings each year. Most would settle for a coveted free agent signing or trade acquisition as their Christmas gift – and Cubs’ fans are no exception.

Most notably, Chicago will look to bolster a pitching staff losing key pieces such as Jason Hammel, Aroldis Chapman, and Travis Wood. We recently broke down the well-documented to-do list for Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer but fans must learn to look outside the organization when watching the hot stove this time of year.

Aiming for their first consecutive National League Central crowns since 2007-2008, the Chicago Cubs’ division mates could be amongst some of the busiest clubs in the game this month.

Here are some potential moves including these teams.

Ryan Braun gets traded by the Milwaukee Brewers

The rumor mill and the former National League MVP are far from strangers. Yet, here he is, still a member of a rebuilding Brewers organization. The organization already took a flyer on former big leaguer Eric Thames, who raked against KBO pitching the last few years.

In a corresponding move, the Brewers designated the 41-home run bat of Chris Carter for assignment last week.

What does this tell us?

Milwaukee is looking to be more budget-conscious as it continues its rebuild. Carter was a lock for at least $8.1 million through arbitration (per MLBTR) for just one season and instead, Thames received a three-year, $16 million contract.

It’s no secret that Braun is one of the more attractive outfield bats available this winter. His .903 OPS in 135 games last year ranked as his best since 2012, when he finished second in MVP voting. Add in a 30-homer season and you quickly understand the intrigue in the slugger.

Unloading his $20 million salary opens al kinds of possibilities for the Brewers’ front office. Adding more young talent to a promising core is a top priority and with rumors involving the San Francisco Giants swirling, it may not be long before Braun leaves Wisconsin for greener pastures.

Cubs finally hook up with Tyson Ross on a deal

Dating back to 2014, the Chicago Cubs have eyed right-hander Tyson Ross with interest. The team even reportedly tried to deal Starlin Castro to San Diego for him at one point.

Last week, the Friars non-tendered Ross due to his recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. He pitched only 5 1/3 innings last season due to injury but, prior to 2016, was an up-and-coming arm in the National League.

Across 2014 and 2015, he racked up nearly 400 innings’ worth of 3.03 ERA ball, making 64 starts. In that time, he averaged just under 10 strikeouts-per-nine.

At least for 2017, Chicago is set in the “ace” department. The trio of Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, and Kyle Hendricks remains intact for what could be the last time with the former hitting the market next winter.

Lester, meanwhile, is coming off a 19-win campaign while Hendricks led the league in earned run average. Adding a piece like Ross gives a nice replacement for the departing Hammel and adds an always-needed rotation option.

This won’t be a winter of headline-making moves for Chicago, but one that seeks to add depth. Tyson Ross is the epitome of quality depth.

Dexter Fowler signs a multi-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals

It’s hard to swallow. It really it is.

Puckett's Pond

The idea of fan-favorite Dexter Fowler signing with a division rival is a bitter pill to swallow. But after inking Jon Jay to a one-year deal, a second reunion tour seems all but impossible. Fowler will likely move on to a new club and St. Louis is a likely landing spot.

He gambled with a one-year deal to return to Chicago for the 2016 campaign. It paid off, as he put together the best season of his career en route to a title. He showcased his improved defense and strong eye at the plate, setting himself up for a big payday.

His OBP flirted with the .400 mark most of the season and he came up big in Game Seven of the Fall Classic, hitting a leadoff home run off Corey Kluber to get the Chicago Cubs’ offense rolling.

And now, he’ll get a big payday.

Fowler’s camp’s demands begin with  a deal with an $18 million AAV – far outside the Cubs’ likely means given their future contract demands.

Next: What the new CBA means for the Cubs

The top priority in St. Louis, meanwhile, is improving defensively. Metrics have not been particularly kind to Fowler but improved enough last season in Chicago to draw the attention of teams like the Cardinals and Giants. Prepare yourselves, Cubs fans.