Chicago Cubs News: Ricketts Family Session, Javier Baez, and more

The Chicago Cubs convention is returning for the first time since 2019 in January and with that, the Cubs announced the schedule for the event.

The return of the Cubs Convention also brings with it the return of The Ricketts Family session on Day 2 of the event. Considering the criticism that has surrounded the Cubs' offseason thus far, the session likely is going to need to be heavily moderated given the angst that is growing among the fanbase.

If the Cubs are unable to sign free-agent shortstop Dansby Swanson by the time the Cubs Convention begins, then The Ricketts Family will be faced with questions regarding the messaging that has generated from the team's front office this offseason.

Ditto for the next event following The Ricketts Family session in the "Baseball Operations Update". The operations of the Cubs' baseball department this offseason have been scrutinized this offseason given the team's preference to not fully commit to their pursuit of the free-agent shortstops.

The Chicago Cubs don't need Javier Baez back

With the Chicago Cubs being on the brink of missing out on each of the top four free-agent shortstops available this offseason, there has been an uptick in the thought exercise of a hypothetical trade between the Cubs and Detroit Tigers involving Javier Baez returning to Chicago.

"With a deal in mind, here’s what a trade between the two sides could look like. Acquiring Baez will never be cheaper: CUBS GET SS, JAVY BAEZ TIGERS GET SS, KEVIN MADE RHP RYAN JENSEN In this scenario, the Cubs would be taking on some of Baez’s contract, so the return on the Tigers end is relatively light. If anything, Chicago might be giving up too much here. Made is a shortstop prospect ranked No. 17 in Chicago’s system. They have two shortstops ranked above him, and he’s just 20 years old. Jensen is 25 years old, and has yet to translate well to the MLB level. Chicago still believes in him, but a change of scenery could do him some good."

Mark Powell, FanSided

The idea of the Cubs trading for Baez is absurd. Just as it is absurd to think the Cubs are ready to give up on Jensen, who was their first-round pick in 2019 and is still on the climb up to the Major League level. Furthermore, the Cubs trading for Baez would be nothing more than the team trying to placate a fanbase that is growing weary of these types of moves by the Cubs.

2018 Javier Baez is long and gone. This version of Baez is broken and sure, he'll have his theatrical moments but if the Cubs miss on Swanson, the better option would be just to leave Nico Hoerner at shortstop and leave second base for either Nick Madrigal or Christopher Morel.

Another Chicago Cubs' catching target off the board

The Chicago Cubs missed on yet another catching target on Thursday as former Milwaukee Brewers' catcher Omar Narvaez signed a one-year deal with the New York Mets.

Miguel Amaya is expected to be fully healthy by the time Spring Training starts but it would seem that a Major League debut for him in 2023 would not occur until the second half of the season. Meaning, the Cubs only have Yan Gomes and PJ Higgins as the catchers on the Major League roster. While Higgins certainly could serve as the backup catcher, it seems more beneficial to the Cubs to have another veteran in the mix that can share time with Gomes.