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While the Chicago Cubs have made moves this offseason that should have them playing October baseball, the fallout from the team's pursuit of Alex Bregman has left a bad taste in the mouths of the fanbase.
In talking about the Cubs' unability to sign Bregman, Jed Hoyer all but confirmed the team was at their budget for 2025 Opening Day. Without addressing the fact that the Cubs' 2025 payroll is approximately $30MM lower than where it was at the end of the 2024 season, Hoyer did admit that the team has room to make a sizeable in-season addition. Of course, the issue with that is it kicks any decision on spending down the road and is contingent on the Cubs being in contention around the time the Major League Baseball Trade deadline arrives. One truth the Cubs may have accidentally revealed in saying "we tried" on Bregman is the fact that the Cody Bellinger trade has proven to be a pure salary dump.
But don't worry, Cubs fans. Manager Craig Counsell is making sure it was not for naught. The Cubs open Cactus League play on Thursday, and Counsell revealed that Cody Poteet will be making the start. Poteet is the forgotten pitcher the Cubs acquired from the New York Yankees in the aforementioned Bellinger trade. All is resolved.
Craig Counsell says Cody Poteet will start the first game of spring training. pic.twitter.com/AGfrXldv0f
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 17, 2025
Cody Poteet is the Chicago Cubs Cactus League Opening Day Starting Pitcher
Truth be told, the Cubs could have done worse in their salary dump of Bellinger. Poteet has posted a career ERA of 3.80 in a very small 83 career innings at the Major League level including a 2.22 ERA in 5 appearances with the Yankees last season. With two minor-league options, Poteet figures to be one of the main up-and-down pitchers for the Cubs during the 2025 season.
Of course, Poteet getting the nod on Thursday may have been unexpected given the Cubs' rotation includes Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon. However, with the Cubs traveling to Japan in the middle of March for an Opening Day series against the Dodgers, chances are the schedule works in such a way that Steele and Imanaga shouldn't be making the start on Thursday if the Cubs are going to have them start the two Japan games next month.