[jksander]

December 4, 2029: We made a big free agent signing this morning, with 28-year-old shortstop Noelvi Marte, formerly of Cincinnati, agreeing to a seven year deal totalling $177.2 million, starting at $25.2M and rising to $26.4M in year five, after which he can opt out or accept two additional years at $23.2M. He put up 3.2 WAR this year while hitting .291 with 25 doubles, 17 homers and 84 RBIs.

December 5, 2029: Ricketts can rest easy, we’ve resigned Moises Ballesteros to ensure he’ll remain a Cub through at least 2037! The total deal is worth $253.5 million through 2039 if he doesn’t opt out after year seven, starting at $25 million and building to $35 million right before the option year. If he stays, he’ll get $27.5M in 2038 and 2039. This deal was well under his original ask which was well over $300M, so I think it’s a fair deal all around and ensures he’ll be behind the plate as a Cub for as long as his body can handle it (and at the plate for even longer, if his bat can stay as strong as it’s been!)

In other news, we’ve freed up some cap space by moving Royce Lewis (at 40% retention) to the Marlins in exchange for a pair of relievers and a backup center fielder. He was on the final year of his contract anyway, and had been enough of an injury risk that, with Noelvi Marte signed, made him superfluous.

December 8, 2029: Jorge Flores has completed his development work on his catching defense, and he’s improved from 35 to 40 in catcher ability, opening up further potential the scouts hadn’t expected to see as well! He’s going to spend the next four to five weeks working on baserunning fundamentals, and if that goes well we’re going to work further on his base stealing.

December 13, 2029: Seiya Suzuki, who is in the final year of his contract and earning $23.2 million, has signed an extension to stay through next year at $2.2 million. He’s loyal and smart, and still has a great bat though his fielding ability is starting to fade. I think his leadership in the clubhouse is worth the money, particularly as he trains our young up-and-coming players.

December 22, 2029: Another year, another Rule 5 passes with little fanfare. We took no one and lost no one.

January 2, 2030: Today we made our final free agent signing, as Kolby Allard, formerly of Pittsburgh, agreed to a one year deal to be a backup starter, taking home $2 million for the pleasure. He’s 32, but should be perfect as a spot starter or back of the rotation guy.

January 10, 2030: We’ll get a supplemental first rounder for Luke Little, who signed a $211 million / seven year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. That’s not a bad return at all, based on how the upcoming draft is looking! We thought about signing a closer out of free agency, and then decided to just give Hunter Greene the job, considering he’s 30 and already earning $15.4 million per year. He has 50 career saves so far and a 4.89 career ERA, playing for Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philly and ourselves. Time to see what he’s made of while we groom our up-and-coming bullpen arms.

January 15, 2030: Jorge Flores continues to have solid successes this year in his development work! He’s now progressing to work on his base-stealing technique, and has continued to show strong work ethic. In other news, Tom Ricketts has been pleased with our progress toward the goal of a repeat title, and has boosted our budget again accordingly. But I suspect we’re going to have to make some tough decisions next offseason as our payroll is now well over $300 million per year. As long as he keeps writing the checks, that’s all good, but eventually if we have an underperforming season I suspect that spigot of money will get turned off.

January 16, 2030: Nobody got into the Hall of Fame this year, though Ryan Braun (74.8%) came close in his fifth year on the list. There are three or four guys who are close enough that I expect they could get in next year. Sometimes you just never know.