Cubs' showing at the 2024 Winter Meetings has the fanbase divided and anxious

The Chicago Cubs didn't get much done this week at the Winter Meetings - at least in terms of official transactions. The team is reportedly close to a deal with catcher Carson Kelly and took Detroit infielder Gage Workman in the Rule 5 Draft, but all eyes were on Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins on Wednesday as rumors swirled about the team's pursuit of Houston outfielder Kyle Tucker.

Despite playing in fewer than half the Astros' game this year, Tucker was worth 4.2 fWAR and his 180 wRC+ trailed only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani among players with at least 300 plate appearances. Heading into his final year of control, the three-time All-Star could be the biggest offensive weapon the Cubs have had since peak Kris Bryant nearly a decade ago.

The Cubs and Astros have swapped names back and forth with Houston eyeing the likes of Seiya Suzuki, Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith and more. It's worth wondering if the two sides work out a larger deal that also includes veteran reliever Ryan Pressly, who continues to be actively shopped by Houston GM Dana Brown.

For now, though, nothing is done - and Hoyer isn't getting ahead of himself.

Cubs focused almost solely on trades during the Winter Meetings

Hoyer noted the team is locked in on trades - not only the Tucker deal - but a potential move that would send Cody Bellinger to the Bronx. New York is also involved in the Tucker sweepstakes, so if the Cubs can work out the details and send Bellinger to the Yankees, it could clear the path when it comes to acquiring the Astros' star.

Hurdles remain in those talks, with Brian Cashman wanting Hoyer and the Cubs to eat some of Bellinger's contract and Chicago, to this point, refusing to do so. Last season, Bellinger took a step back with the bat - but is just two years removed from his NL Comeback Player of the Year campaign when he posted a 136 wRC+ and 4.4 fWAR in his first season with Chicago.

All signs point to the Cubs moving Bellinger and holding onto Seiya Suzuki, despite the drama surrounding that relationship this week in Dallas when his agent, Joel Wolfe, said the 30-year-old wants no part of being a full-time DH. Suzuki closed out the 2024 season as the Cubs' designated hitter, so the comment raised eyebrows and fueled speculation Hoyer might move him.

"I expect him (Suzuki) to be a Cub," Hoyer told reporters this week.

Last but certainly not least, Chicago was among the teams that submitted their initial proposal to Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, who was posted and will be signing with his first MLB team in the next 40+ days. This will be something to monitor as meetings with teams take place and his market takes shape in the weeks to come.