Just one day left to hear “All I Want for Christmas is You” another 800 times before the day arrives. I’m not even complaining, because I feel like I’ve barely heard it this year. It’s fine. Lay it on me.
There was a flurry of deals announced or otherwise reported out yesterday around baseball, which wasn’t a huge surprise. As we’ve discussed, although Christmas doesn’t represent an actual deadline, a lot of guys (and team execs) treat it as a soft deadline to try to wrap up various moves. That could mean we see a pronounced lull starting today, and lasting through the weekend, before there’s another little flurry ahead of New Year’s (complete with the tax implications of signing bonuses being paid out in 2025 or 2026, for example). That isn’t to say nothing else will trickle out by tonight, though, or even right after Christmas. It’s just not as common. For the Cubs, the likely final pre-Christmas deal was signing reliever Jacob Webb – now officially official – to an exceedingly modest contract, with an exceedingly attractive 2027 team option. Like I wrote originally, I understand all the reasons Webb was available at such an inexpensive price, and I don’t want to create an impression that I expect him to be the next Brad Keller or whatever (even though Keller was actually cheaper last year, on a minor league deal, he was younger, another year removed from surgery, and showing signs that he could break out as a reliever). Instead, Webb is a guy you’re hoping can give you 50+ medium-leverage innings of 3.50 ERA ball, who costs only a little bit more than a minor league deal (who then makes the big league roster) might cost you, and who feels “locked in” to your bullpen group coming out of Spring Training. Ideally, you’d have lots of those guys internally and optionable*, yes, but the difference is that Webb has shown it in the big leagues for years now. And the Cubs had so much need and so many open 40-man spots that there’s just very little risk in going ahead and giving him a spot right out of the gate. Worst case scenario, all the possible regression sticks hit at the same time, and the Cubs have to move on at midseason, eating a couple million bucks in the process. Best case scenario? Webb keeps on performing well as a middle reliever, and you wind up with two very cheap years of productivity. I love the signing. Small, necessary, positive. *For the record, the Cubs do have a lot of optionable reliever depth on the 40-man roster, but we know how much movement there will be throughout the season, and know from just this past season that even when you have six or seven “locked in” relievers, you’re still going to cycle through tons of optionable guys because (1) there is still a spot or two for optionable guys there in the eight-man bullpen, (2) injuries happen throughout the year, (3) “injuries” happen throughout the year, and (4) some “locked in” guys will simply be let go at some point if they’re not effective. From here, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cubs pull back from the reliever market to target their waiver/minor league deal/reclamation types for a while, and also to see if any other “locked in” types just can’t find the right deal before February. The Cubs would be ready to pounce on guys like that, but I’m not sure there’s another $10+ million reliever contract coming, what with the need in the rotation and the desire to add a bat. Not that the Pirates and A’s are the types of clubs you’re necessarily worried about failing to outbid, but it does happen. So with the Pirates landing Ryan O’Hearn and the A’s landing Jeff McNeil, I’m keen to find out whether they’re done adding in the infield, and thus taking a couple of possible third base competitors off the market for the non-Alex Bregman/non-Bo Bichette tier of guys (since they definitely wouldn’t be in on him anyway). For the Pirates, it’s half about whether they view Jared Triolo/Nick Yorke/Nick Gonzales of capable of handling the position well enough, and half about whether they’re out of money. For the A’s, the question is similar, though they have a youngster in Max Muncy whom they might want to give runway anyway (sounds like that’s the plan). Anyway, the point is, the more clubs out of the market for that next tier of third basemen – Kazuma Okamoto and Eugenio Suarez being the most attractive two – the more plausible it becomes for the Cubs to MAYBE be able to grab a bat at that spot AND ALSO have the funds available to add a front-three starting pitcher. Yes, I have allowed myself to dream about the Cubs signing both Okamoto and Tatsuya Imai. I want the players anyway, but it just seems kinda cool (and smart) to be able to continue developing out a strong connection to Japan. Patrick Wisdom’s first year in Korea went well, with the former Cubs third baseman hitting .236/.321/.535/126 wRC+ with 35 homers. His performance was appreciated:Thank you, Patrick Wisdom✨올해 챔필의 코너를 책임지며 멋지게 활약한 위즈덤 선수에게 감사 인사를 전합니다.앞으로 펼쳐질 모든 날을 응원합니다! pic.twitter.com/pKMyNF5NXG
Bryce Harper announces he’ll play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic ?? pic.twitter.com/hr6Dg4c6l6
— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) December 23, 2025 These guys are making the Chicago sports rounds:PCA & Ian Happ are at the #Blackhawks game tonight pic.twitter.com/m9B2ZobVsk
— Tab Bamford (@The1Tab) December 24, 2025 Everyone remembers Turk Wendell if you were watching in those days – he wasn’t just an odd dude, he also had a pretty nice big league relief career: On the one hand, this isn’t that shocking given the two Chicago teams, but, on the other hand, the Bears are actually quite good:MLB Share of MLB/NFL/NBA Searches by State(2004–2025):24% IL23% CT MO VT22% PA21% ME NJ NY20% MA NH19% RI18% CA FL IA MI NV OH WI17% AZ DE16% AL KS MN ND NE WA15% GA IN KY MD MT OR SC WV14% AR CO ID TN TX VA WY13% AK NM SD12% HI MS NC11% OK UT10% LA
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) December 24, 2025 Very sad news for the Counsell family this week, as John Counsell, Craig’s father, has passed away:We are saddened by the recent passing of John Counsell, Notre Dame graduate and a member of the Irish baseball program from 1962-64.We extend our thoughts and prayers to the Counsell family, including his children Jennifer and Craig '92, and all who were impacted by John. pic.twitter.com/0aWUyvISmv
— Notre Dame Baseball (@NDBaseball) December 23, 2025 Our thoughts are with the family, especially so close to Christmas. MORE CUBS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN NewsletterAn Early Christmas Miracle: Bulls 126, Hawks 123 – December 23, 2025 t.co/y0bUM2BKl1
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 24, 2025The #Blackhawks added a new partner on Tuesday. And they're the first team in any major North American pro sport to have such a relationship. More on the Hawks new deal: t.co/tYgMpnU8d9 pic.twitter.com/qkYKghTIot
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 23, 2025The Good, Better, and Best From the Bears Week 16 Win Against the Packers t.co/wsBE8R4jvB
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 23, 2025Hence then, the article about ho ho ho webb officially official and officially fine relief plans third base market 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.
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