The winter meetings are underway in San Diego and the Cubs are appearing in non-stop rumors. Cubs president Jed Hoyer also spoke to the media Monday night and gave Cubs fans something to think about before bed time.
This team has several needs to address and they're at the very least attempting to do so. Hoyer said the Cubs are primarily focused on the free agent market and contract offers have been made to players.
Also on Monday, we learned from multiple sources that the Cubs have had in-person meetings with free agent shortstops Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Correa.
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs' pitch to Bogaerts included manager David Ross, first base coach Mike Napoli and Jon Lester joining in to help recruit the shortstop to Chicago. All three have obvious connections to the Cubs, but they were also teammates of Bogaerts in 2013, during his rookie season with the Boston Red Sox. That meeting was said to take place 10 days ago.
MLB insider Jon Morosi confirmed Levine's report on Correa's meeting with the Cubs in San Diego.
According to NBC Sports Chicago's Gordon Wittenmyer, the Cubs met with Correa and his agent Scott Boras.
On Sunday night Marino Pepén, who covers the Red Sox, said the Cubs were expected to submit an offer to Bogaerts soon.
The Cubs are also shopping for a catcher and there has been a lot of speculation around them and Christian Vázquez. The 32-year-old was part of the Houston Astros' 2022 World Series team. Before he was traded to the Astros this past summer, Vázquez played his entire MLB career with the Red Sox, making his MLB debut in 2014. Another player with connections to the Cubs coaching staff.
Vázquez is reportedly seeking a three or four year deal.
And now to the pitching side of free agency.
Kodai Senga and Chris Bassitt Targets for Cubs
Jon Morosi appeared on the Marquee Sports Network and for the first time in weeks the Cubs were once again connected to Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga.
Here's more from Morosi on the Marquee Sports Network.
As Morosi mentioned, the Cubs don't have to worry about a posting fee or losing a draft pick and bonus pool money if they sign Senga. Early on Monday, there was a report out of Japan that said Senga could be signing this week during the winter meetings. Maybe Senga has one of those offers on the table from the Cubs as we speak.
Bassitt has been linked to the Cubs as well, but he is attached to a qualifying offer. The 34-year-old starter has been a good and consistent pitcher throughout his career with the A's and Mets. The Cubs have also been linked to Jameson Taillon and Corey Kluber.
It has been a crazy day one in terms of the volume of rumors the Cubs are appearing in. You love to see it, but obviously the Cubs have to be aggressive. There is no excuse not to try and obtain as much talent as possible.
Hopefully we'll get to talk about a major free agent signing by the Cubs during this week's Pinwheels And Ivy Podcast.
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