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Chicago Cubs News: Passing on Mike Moustakas, Ian Happ, and more
The Chicago Cubs' National League Central Rival, Cincinnati Reds, made several moves on Thursday as the team designated veteran infielder Mike Moustakas for assignment ahead of a pair of free-agent signings. The Reds signed catcher Curt Casali and veteran first baseman/outfielder Wil Myers.
After the signings of Casali and Myers, Reds' general manager Nick Krall gave the impression that the team may be finished with their spending for the offseason.
When asked if there was more room in the budget for further acquisitions, #Reds GM Nick Krall said they'd "have to get creative" which is a way of saying not unless someone takes more money off of their books
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) December 22, 2022
The Cubs should definitely place a call to Krall regarding the possibility of trading for veteran first baseman Joey Votto and the $22.5MM he is set to earn in 2023. Kidding here but there are bound to be questions about whether or not the Cubs should take a flier on Moustakas.
The Reds will be on the hook for the $16MM he is set to earn in 2023 so assuming he clears waivers and is released by the team, he likely will sign for the league minimum. After three consecutive seasons of hitting 25+ home runs from 2017 through 2019, Moustakas' power has completely disappeared from his skill set. Moustakas has failed to eclipse 10 home runs in each of the past two seasons and 2022 saw his strikeout percentage climb to 26.3%. At this point in his career, Moustakas has a similar profile to that of Zach McKinstry. With McKinstry already on the team's roster, the Cubs should have no interest in Moustakas.
Chicago Cubs should try and extend Ian Happ
New Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson spoke glowingly about the Cubs' plan to return to contention and the hope is that plan includes left fielder Ian Happ. Happ to set to be a free agent after this upcoming season and the team may have missed on his insurance policy with Michael Conforto when he signed with the San Francisco Giants on Friday morning. After an All-Star campaign with the Cubs in 2022, it seems likely that the five-year, $75MM contract Andrew Benintendi signed with the Chicago White Sox this offseason will serve as a starting point for negotiations.
Happy Festivus
Chicago Cubs fans have been airing their grievances with the Cubs since the Major League Baseball trade deadline of 2021 but today is the official day to embrace the idea.