Cubs News: Garrett Crochet mystery team, Ben Brown injury update, Cody Bellinger

With the latest from The Athletic (Subscription Required) providing more confirmation that the Chicago Cubs will be sitting out of the bidding for the free agents at the top of this offseason's class, it would seem that the Cubs will need to wait for the market to be established before they begin their offseason in earnest.

Overnight, the Los Angeles Dodgers helped that cause as they inked Blake Snell to a five-year deal worth $182MM.

Despite reportedly checking in on Snell at the Trade Deadline this past season, the Cubs weren't going to be involved in his sweepstakes this offseason. Again, it would seem that the Cubs are more inclined to let the likes of Snell, Corbin Burnes, and Max Fried sign elsewhere while targeting mid-tier starting pitching.

If the Cubs are going to add a starting pitcher that can be placed near the top of their rotation with Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, the likeliest path toward them accomplishing that goal will be through the trade market.

Cubs News: Are the North Siders the mystery team involved in the Garrett Crochet trade talks?

There will be rippling effects to the Dodgers signing Blake Snell and that likely will be felt in the White Sox's efforts to trade starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. The Boston Red Sox were believed to be involved in the bidding for Snell until the final moments before a deal was reached with the Dodgers and while Boston has been connected to Max Fried, they have been engaged with the White Sox in Crochet trade talks.

In an update on those trade talks, Sean McAdam of Mass Live reports that a mystery team has emerged in the trade talks for Crochet with an aggressive offer being recently proposed. If the White Sox are willing to engage with the Cubs in a potential deal for Crochet, the fit between the two teams remains an ideal match.

Cubs News: Ben Brown cleared for regular offseason throwing program

One of the strange circumstances of the Chicago Cubs' 2024 season was the neck injury that ended Ben Brown's rookie season in June. Craig Counsell's in-season updates weren't clear on exactly what neck issue Brown was dealing with, but it seems that they are now a thing of the past. The aforementioned update from The Athletic confirms that Brown has been cleared for a regular offseason throwing program.

A healthy Brown likely slots into the Cubs' bullpen for the 2025 season. While the book certainly shouldn't be closed on Brown being a long-term starting pitcher for the Cubs, his best value to the team in 2025 would be as a bullpen ace.

Cubs News: Atlanta Braves an option for Cody Bellinger?

As the Cubs try to find a suitor for Cody Bellinger, the Atlanta Braves are one team to keep an eye on.

The Braves are in the market for a left-handed power bat and if they are willing to take on a majority of Bellinger's contract, the fit could be there. A Bellinger remains one of the first moves that will likely happen once Juan Soto signs with his new team.