Lukewarm Stove: Cubs’ Competition for Fairbanks, Tradable Starters, Bregman, Alonso, More ...Middle East

MLB RUMORS — The will they/won’t they of Fernando Tatis trade rumors has swung back in the red, with Bob Nightengale, the guy who started these rumors in the first place, now reporting that they have no intentions of trading their star right fielder … right now. Next winter, though? That door appears to be open. Fun thing to keep in mind.

Setting that aside, we are just one day away from the Qualifying Offer decisions, which should really kick the offseason into gear. Josh Naylor jump-started the market with a five-year deal over the weekend, but the best is yet to come. Let’s check in on the latest MLB Rumors from around the league.

Relief Market/Fairbanks Competition

One of my favorite new Cubs rumors is their reported interest in adding a more significant, more established late-inning reliever from outside the organization.

In case you missed that one on Friday, here’s what Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma had to say:

In reconstructing their bullpen, the Cubs recognize that they can’t only offer one-year contracts to relievers. It’s possible that they will invest multiple years in the right late-inning arms.

That doesn’t mean signing All-Star closer Edwin Díaz to a $100 million contract. Devin Williams, who closed for Cubs manager Craig Counsell during their time with the Milwaukee Brewers, is generating enough early interest to suggest that his next deal will go beyond Chicago’s comfort zone.

But the Cubs are planning to spread their resources around and provide Counsell with several viable options. Pete Fairbanks, the former closer for the Tampa Bay Rays, is a name to keep in mind. A reunion with Brad Keller, who thoroughly enjoyed his time in Chicago, also can’t be ruled out quite yet.

Again, we talked all about it on Friday, so check that post out for my specific thoughts on that story.

In the meantime, though, I have some bad news: the Dodgers are reportedly circling the Fairbanks wagon, and they rarely whiff on players they want: “The Los Angeles Dodgers, with $87 million coming off the books, will keep folks honest in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, but probably won’t be the high bidders – instead wanting to focus on shoring up their bullpen. They could pursue Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams, but rival executives expect them to go after former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, who has 75 saves with a 2.98 ERA the past three seasons.” (USA TODAY).

You might recall that the Dodgers swooped in and stole Tanner Scott from under the Cubs last offseason (… though that may have been a favor, in retrospect). And they could be in a similar boat again this winter.

And while Pete Fairbanks isn’t the only attractive free agent reliever out there, he definitely represents one of the best options among those in the tier the Cubs are likely to target.

By which I mean, I wouldn’t expect the Cubs to battle teams for the right to pay Edwin Diaz $100M+. And I’m not so sure a Craig Counsell reunion with Devin Williams is in the cards. With that said, you may be happy to learn that Williams reportedly prefers to stay in the Midwest if possible. That’s not nothing.

And to put a final bow on this particular section/set of MLB Rumors, Jim Bowden includes the Cubs among his list of teams seeking high-end free agent relief help this winter: “Teams like the Braves, Orioles, Cubs, Twins, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Tigers, Rangers and Reds were actively involved in discussions for closers.”

Which Starting Pitchers Might Actually Get Traded?

Although there are a ton of free agent starters to keep in mind this offseason – Dylan Cease, anybody? – we also generally expect the Cubs to remain active in the relatively robust trade market for starting pitchers.

But according to Ken Rosenthal, two of the bigger names, Tarik Skubal (Tigers) and Freddy Peralta (Brewers), won’t actually be dealt.

Are teams with marquee starting pitchers posturing in trade talks?@Ken_Rosenthal says some interested teams believe so… pic.twitter.com/d1X2HxrumE

On the one hand, that news doesn’t have a direct impact on the Cubs, who were extremely unlikely to trade for Skubal or Peralta (for different, but equally accurate reasons). But on the other, that’s two fewer high-quality options on the market that could drive the prices up elsewhere (Joe Ryan, Edward Cabrera, Sandy Alcantara, MacKenzie Gore, etc.).

Along those lines, the Marlins are reportedly telling teams they want to hang onto Sandy Alcantara. And the Reds are reportedly against trading their ace, Hunter Greene, though they have “listened” to offers. And that story seems to align closer with the other rumor Rosenthal mentioned above – that some of these other guys actually are available, despite what those front offices are saying:

“Look, I don’t want to rule out anything,” said Nick Krall, Reds president of baseball operations, “But that’s a hard one to actually say, ‘Hey, we’re going to trade the guy that has a chance to be the ace of your staff and top-of-the-rotation guy going into the postseason.”

Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara

Speaking of the Marlins and tradable starting pitchers, Jon Morosi has more on the timing and likelihood of a deal: “A team that I think has probably a higher chance of moving a starter this winter? The Miami Marlins. Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera. Those are two names that are very popular right now….the Miami Marlins, with one of those two (Alcantara, Cabrera), they’re the team that I feel most confident in making a move with one of them, by this time next month.

The Cubs, of course, were in talks with the Marlins last offseason for Jesus Luzardo and again at the deadline on both Cabrera and Alcantara. So I expect them to be involved until the end, here. It feels like a Winter Meetings trade (with whichever pitcher/team) is shaping up.

“Sandy Alcantara. Edward Cabrera. Those are two names that are very popular right now.”@jonmorosi mentions that the Marlins could look to move one of their talented right-handed starters this offseason. pic.twitter.com/Wok4DNNzZU

Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso

Later in that outlay of MLB rumors, Jon Morosi has a more significant report on Boston’s plans, which he characterizes as a two-track possibility:

“…Either they bring back Bregman or they make an all-out pursuit for Pete Alonso. I like their chances to get one or the other….I believe the Red Sox are the strongest contender of anyone to take Pete Alonso away from the New York Mets….I think Alonso to the Red Sox has some real legs if they don’t bring back Alex Bregman.”

A year ago, when we were closer to those old Cubs/Alonso rumors and fresh off a free agent pursuit of Alex Bregman, this may have had more of a direct impact on the Cubs. But now? I’m not so sure this is more than just interesting to hear.

Indeed, from what I’m hearing behind the scenes (and, indeed, what Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins are just flat-out saying publicly), the Cubs are laser-focused on pitching, content to ride with the position players they already have in-house. That feels pretty risky, but that’s just the sense I’m getting.

But again, you never know what happens, if Alonso jumps ship and Bregman is left without Boston as an option. Maybe the Cubs rekindle that spring training offer and try to get something done.

Other MLB Rumors:

“The one team I heard more than anybody else connected to Tucker was the Blue Jays… I think Tucker is certainly going to be in the mix there in Toronto.”@Feinsand shares the latest on Kyle Tucker's market.@JonHeyman | @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/FSSkFLIhA7

Where will Edwin Díaz be pitching in 2026?@Joelsherman1 | #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/EXvWmmVmvG

The Cubs are reportedly showing interest in free agents Dylan Cease and Michael King.@jonmorosi weighs in on the Cubs' need for starting pitching this offseason and the impact of Shota Imanaga's qualifying offer decision, which will be made by Tuesday at 4pm ET. pic.twitter.com/2q2FJB5gGO

I think there's next to no chance the Cubs wind up with Kyle Schwarber this offseason. But Ken Rosenthal did just mention them as a potential suitor if the Phillies bow out.To that end, it sounds like the Phillies' interest in Murakami could be the key. t.co/Xewni67DHr

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