Cubs Rumors: Chicago could sign multi-year reliever despite recent history

The Chicago Cubs haven't given a relief pitcher a multi-year contract since LHP Brian Duensing signed a two-year, $7 million deal in 2017. That was six years ago. The Chicago front office has operated with abundant caution when it comes to paying relievers, but that strategy could change in the weeks to come.

Jed Hoyer and the Cubs are expected to pursue a wide range of high-profile free agents this offseason. The team already lured Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers with the most expensive manager contract in league history. Now, according to Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Counsell's arrival could motivate Chicago to change their approach to the free-agent reliever market.

"Perhaps paying extra for that late-inning experience and know-how could be rationalized knowing that Counsell will make data-driven decisions, create opportunities for rookie relievers and manage his pitching staff for the marathon."

The Cubs' bullpen was a mess last season. Counsell, however, is famed for his analytical mind and his masterful handling of the Brewers' pitching staff. He knows how to pull the right strings and position his relievers for success. That could be enough to get the Cubs spending more than usual to lock up an established weapon to eat middle or late innings.

Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation has a few ideas as far as who the Cubs might target: "Josh Hader, Yuki Matsui, Jordan Hicks, Yariel Rodriguez, Robert Stephenson, Nick Martinez, and Craig Counsell's old friend Brent Suter, among others."

Money talks. In free agency, the best players tend to follow the cash. If the Cubs want to sign the best relievers available, it may require a two or three-year investment. If that's the case, Counsell should give the front office a measure of confidence that the investment won't go awry.

Cubs Rumors: Bo Bichette-Chicago trade buzz gets louder

The Cubs are going to be in the fray more than usual this offseason. Chicago hasn't always been the most willing spender, but with Counsell in charge and Shohei Ohtani on their mind, the Cubs might just break the bank (and their farm system) to bring in major talent.

One name circling the trade rumor mill at the moment is Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Bo Bichette, who made his second All-Star appearance in 2023 and finished 16th in American League MVP voting. He slashed .306/.339/.475 for the Jays, hammering 20 home runs and 73 RBIs with 27 walks in 601 plate appearances. He appeared in 135 games.

"Nobody has told me, 'Hey, Bo Bichette is available,' but like a lot of things in this industry, if you are getting closer to free agency and there's no word of there being a [contract extension in place, people start to ask, people start to wonder," said MLB insider Jon Morosi.

FanSided's Robert Murray called a Bichette trade "unlikely," but acknowledged the possibility of the Blue Jays being "blown away" by an offer. The Cubs are a natural fit. Third base is a position of relative weakness for the Cubs, who fluctuated between Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Christopher Morel at the hot corner last season. Morel has been a lightning rod for trade rumors of his own, so the Cubs could look to parlay the power-hitting utility man into a trade for a star of Bichette's caliber.

Matt Cozzi of 'Locked on Cubs' explicitly tied the Bichette chatter to Chicago. While this probably lands in the "pipe dream" category of the Cubs' offseason plans, it's clear Hoyer and the front office are prepared for the aggressive approach.

If Chicago can attract Bichette, that could factor into their pursuit of another All-Star...

Cubs Rumors: Chicago plans to attract Shohei Ohtani with splashy moves

Jon Morosi updated the initial Bichette report with an addendum... what if the Cubs' pursuit of Bichette, in theory, were to bleed into their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani? Half the league is interested in wooing the Los Angeles Angels' two-way superstar to some extent, but the Cubs are frequently on the shortlist of legitimate sleepers located outside Hollywood.

It's clear the Cubs are gearing up to impress Ohtani and other high-profile targets. The Counsell signing accomplished more than an upgrade in the dugout. It was proof that the Cubs are willing to spend money for the premium option. Ohtani clearly wants to further his legacy and compete for championships. The Cubs might actually be able to convince him the team is positioned to attract the pieces necessary to accomplish that goal, all while placing him in a historically beloved and hitter-friendly ballpark.

The Cubs have several quality defenders scattered throughout the lineup, primarily with Dansby Swanson at shortstop and the rising Pete Crow-Armstrong in the outfield. But, offense is an area of concern — especially with Cody Bellinger seemingly on his way out the door in free agency. Ohtani is one immediate solution, but the Cubs could stand to add a couple heavy-hitters. Bichette is a contact machine with a low 36.4 percent chase rate (10th percentile) and an expected batting average of .308, which falls in the MLB's 98th percentile. Add him to the front of the lineup with Swanson, and the Cubs are well positioned to bring Ohtani to the plate with runners on base early and often. That's a convincing concept, no?

Chicago would have to siphon off significant assets to acquire Bichette, who is under team control through 2025. The Cubs have also been tied to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, who supplies a different kind of offensive boost. Either way, the Cubs' odds of convincing Ohtani to move to the Windy City increase tenfold with a serious trade like this.