It’s New Year’s Eve, but around here in Columbus, when anyone talks about what they’re doing tonight, they’re talking about the Ohio State game. My college sports fandom fell way off in the last decade, primarily because the Cubs and Bears consume too much of that part of me. But, to the extent I care at all tonight, sure, I’ll pull for Ohio State.
It’s like an advent calendar at this point, with the Tatsuya Imai posting expiration now just two opened flaps away. But what team will be under that last one? Still no clue. The latest rumors yesterday out of Japan had the White Sox swooping in given the quiet market, but Mark Feinsand has since reported that they are considered a “longshot.” If it were to happen that the White Sox actually landed Imai, I would be super disappointed and annoyed, but I would also recognize that it probably says more about the way the pitcher projects to translate to MLB, and less about the Cubs or Phillies or Mets or whoever not being willing to step up and pay the price. It’d mean they just don’t see the right value there. Which isn’t to say a surprisingly modest contract means he can’t succeed. Shota Imanaga’s deal with the Cubs two years ago was surprisingly modest, and he wound up being a success. I still want the Cubs in on this thing, man. Feinsand reports that both Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto have been meeting with teams in Los Angeles this week, for what that’s worth. Does that mean there haven’t been site visits after all? Does it mean active negotiations are taking place there in L.A.? Let’s just get to it. Speaking of wanting to just get to it, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen is telling folks he doesn’t want the whole Ketel Marte trade story to last much longer (MLB.com): “We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly …. I haven’t figured [the exact timeline] out yet, but this isn’t going to continue to linger. We need to focus our offseason. Again, my gut this whole time was that [a trade of Marte] wasn’t going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that’s the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do.” Apparently the Diamondbacks haven’t received offers that are “anywhere near” what they would see as acceptable. On the one hand, I’m sure that’s completely accurate. Moving a star player – contemplating both the return, and the need it opens up – fundamentally transforms your entire offseason. At some point, though, you really need to know if it’s going to happen or not, because other good and useful moves can pass you by while you’re waiting on the right return. On the other hand, I think fully closing the door on a trade isn’t going to happen until Marte’s 10-5 no-trade rights kick in once the season starts. If a team decides to drop a monster offer in the Spring, for example, I doubt the D-Backs are going to refuse to listen. The implications here are significant, of course, because the Marte market directly impacts – among other things – the Alex Bregman market. If Marte were to be traded to the Red Sox, for example, then it’s probable that they’d be out on Bregman, but then the D-Backs might take a bigger swing at Bregman, themselves. There are lots of other potential ripples, too, that can affect Bregman and other teams, plus Bo Bichette, plus the Blue Jays, etc. I am MOSTLY joking when I say that this is another really bad sign for the Cubs farm system, but it’s also true that if they were overflowing with tip-top prospects they might have a picture or two here:Here are the most popular MiLB player pages by state! pic.twitter.com/3yhzprqcut
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) December 30, 2025 The Cubs need some big, big, big breakouts next year like nobody’s business. Right now, in terms of guys who’ve not debuted in the big leagues, Jaxon Wiggins is really the only top guy. They do have some guys who absolutely COULD glow up into top-100 types (Jefferson Rojas is riiiiight there, and Ethan Conrad is obviously gonna have a lot of hopes pinned to him), but mostly there are a lot of guys whose more realistic ceiling is as a big league role player. That has value, but the Cubs need some SURPRISING pops next year. The young talent at the big league level is great (more important, even), but the situation on the farm has arguably reached dire levels so very quickly. The Angels did some work yesterday, finally restructuring Anthony Rendon’s contract (he’ll still get his money, but it’s deferred, and he’s all finished playing), and signing Kirby Yates to a one-year, $5 million deal. The Rendon restructuring probably frees up more 2026 cash than that, but it’s hard to say how much (note that the Angels are reportedly in on Kazuma Okamoto, whose posting ends January 4, and they could probably use another starting pitcher, too). The Angels are one of the clubs dealing with possible RSN disruptions again, and they also recently agreed to pay out a substantial settlement to Tyler Skaggs’ family in that wrongful death action, so I really don’t know what their financial situation actually is. Rendon, by the way, will finish out his seven-year, $245 million contract having contributed 3.8 WAR total to the Angels, with 2.5 of that coming in the first year. As an organization, and spanning multiple incarnations of the front office, their track record on huge contracts is probably the worst in baseball. If you’re competing on a free agent and the Angels want to give him $150M+, you should probably think twice. MORE CUBS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN NewsletterJaquan Brisker on the Bears Defense: “We Let the Offense Down” t.co/iiiQtIFgYI
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 30, 2025Blackhawks 2, Islanders 3 (SO) — Three Stars, Key Takeaways #blackhawks t.co/amdemxXJjB
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 31, 2025Josh Giddey to Miss Multiple Weeks for Bulls with New Injury (REPORT) t.co/8KLZ3BcXw9
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 31, 2025Hence then, the article about new year s eve imai eve eve marte market ren done and other cubs bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( New Year’s Eve, Imai Eve Eve, Marte Market, Ren-done, and Other Cubs Bullets )
Last updated :
Also on site :