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Cubs News: Winter Meetings nearing, Ian Happ trade idea, and more
Thanksgiving is now in the rearview mirror and we hope you enjoyed a day that was filled with family, food, and football. In case you missed it during your holiday festivities on Thursday, at Cubbies Crib, we took a look at the case for Ben Zobrist to make the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025; graded the Cubs trades that were submitted by our readers; and, took a look at 3 prospects that might interest the Cubs during the Rule 5 draft in December.
The Rule 5 draft is set to take place during the Winter Meetings on December 7. The start of the Winter Meeting is two days prior on December 5 and that usually marks the true start of Major League Baseball's offseason. The first month or so of the offseason is usually a feeling out process between teams and agents as they try to gauge what the market will be. The Winter Meetings is generally where we the transition from the feeling out process to actual moves being made.
Considering the Cubs have several needs across their Major League roster, it stands to reason that the team will be active at the Winter Meetings. The free-agent shortstops will draw most of the attention but let's not forget the Cubs also need a new centefielder, catcher, first baseman, and, at least two starting pitchers.
More Cubs News
Patrick Mooney of The Athletic raised some eyebrows with this proposed Ian Happ trade to the Toronto Blue Jays. In the trade, the Cubs would send Happ along with Adbert Alzolay to the Blue Jays for catcher Danny Jansen.
While being relegated to backup duty for the Blue Jays last season, Jansen did show promise offensively as he hit 15 home runs while having a slash line of .260/.339/.516/.855 in 248 plate appearances.
Happ being moved for a catcher seems like an unlikely scenario for the Cubs this offseason when there are two free-agent catchers that are ideal defensive fits for the team. In addition, the Cubs are in need of improved offensive production and moving Happ along with Alzolay for a catcher that has a career slash line of .223/.307/.423/.730 does not seem like a smart move.
MLB News
The Minnesota Twins have made multiple offers to shortstop Carlos Correa. The Twins are still considered to be unlikely to bring Correa back but until he has found a new home, never say never.