Chicago Cubs Rumors: 3 bold predictions for the Winter Meetings

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The Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are set to begin on Sunday and with agents and front office officials meeting for the first time in-person at the Winter Meetings since 2019. The expectation is that there will be a flurry of trades and impact free-agent signings next week. With the Chicago Cubs expecting to return to contention in 2023, there is reason to believe that the team will be at the center of most of the discussions being had next week.

The Cubs have been connected to several of the top-tier free agents this offseason as the team has met with the representatives for shortstops Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson.; the first basemen in Josh Bell and Trey Mancini; the center fielders in Cody Bellinger and Kevin KIermaier; and, the starting pitching market as the team has been linked to Kodai Senga, Chris Bassitt, Jameson Taillon, and Taijuan Walker.

There should be no shortage of activity next week and hopefully that activity will include the Cubs. With that said, here are three bold prections for the Cubs moves next week at the Winter Meetings.

3 bold predictions for the Winter Meetings - Cubs sign Xander Bogaerts

Considering the connections that Bogaerts has to the Cubs--a teammate of manager David Ross in 2013 and 2014, and Jed Hoyer formerly in the Boston Red Sox front office--it is surprising that there hasn't been a stronger connection between the team and the free-agent shortstop this winter. Nevertheless, given the Cubs' ideologies on potential contracts, Bogaerts should fit perfectly into their plans.

With the Red Sox in 2022, Bogaerts compiled a 6.1 fWAR while having a slash line of .307/.377/.456/.833 with a 134 wRC+ and 16 home runs.

Cincinnati Reds v Chicago Cubs / Quinn Harris/GettyImages

3 bold predictions for the Winter Meetings - Cubs trade Adbert Alzolay

After an inconsistent first full season at the Major League level with the Cubs in 2021, 2022 was expected to be an important season for Adbert Alzolay as the team would be able to determine his future in their long-term pitching rotation. Unfortunately, Alzolay suffered a shoulder injury during Spring Training last season and did not return to the Major League level until the final month of the season. Alzolay was electric in his return to the Major League level as he posted a 3.38 ERA (1.91 FIP) in 6 appearances out of the bullpen while averaging over 12 strikeouts per 9 innings. The other encouraging aspect of Alzolay's return was the uptick in velocity as his fastball velocity was at 95mph last season.

With Alzolay having success in his return to the Major League level, why would the Cubs want to trade him? The Cubs have multiple needs at the top of their starting rotation and if they can sign a pitcher or two in free agency, Alzolay becomes a prime piece that the team could include in a trade package to address their multiple offensive needs.

World Baseball Classic - Championship Round - Game 2 - United States v Japan / Masterpress/GettyImages

3 bold predictions for the Winter Meetings - Cubs sign Kodai Senga

At the beginning of the offseason, it almost seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Cubs were going to be the team that signed Japanese free-agent starting pitcher Kodai Senga. Senga has the pitch mix that could easily slot him towards the top of a Major League starting rotation and with the Cubs having a need for a top-of-the-rotation pitcher but not willing to get involved in the markets for Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, or Carlos Rodon, Senga makes the most sense. Especially when you factor in the fact that Senga does not have a posting fee attached to his free-agency status.

Next. Jameson Taillon seeking four years. dark

Senga represents a near-perfect fit for the Cubs and their needs for the starting rotation heading into 2023. While the Cubs may not have been recently connected to Senga in regard to the latest rumors, the fit remains. As long as that fit remains, there is no reason to think that Senga will not sign with the Cubs. The addition of Senga gives the Cubs a formidable top to their rotation that would include the Japanese right-hander along with Marcus Stroman and Kyle Hendricks.

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