What each team should do next after the winter meetings
Every team left Las Vegas with unfinished business. We have some suggestions on where they should go from here.
2018 ScheduleAll times ET
2018 Schedule
95-68, 2nd in NL Cent
Where things stand with Bryce Harper sweepstakes
With the winter meetings upcoming in Harper's hometown of Las Vegas, we look at the free-agent outfielder's quest for baseball's biggest contract.
Cubs' Maddon looking to better reach 'millennials'
Leaving no stone unturned after a disappointing end to the 2018 season, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that his offseason reading includes the book "Managing Millennials for Dummies."
Charles Moynihan ESPN Producer
Joe Maddon says the "National League Central Division is the best in all of baseball."
Can budget-strapped Cubs solve need for late-game relief?
Working around a bloated budget, the Cubs might only target bullpen help with closer Brandon Morrow likely to miss the first month of 2019.
Cubs GM: Filling veteran leadership void a priority
The Cubs are searching for their next David Ross, according to general manager Jed Hoyer, who says the team's lack of 2018 leadership was a miscalculation.
Rogers talks about the Cubs' expected activity during the Winter Meetings
Jesse Rogers from ESPN Chicago talks to Buster Olney about the Cubs' expected activity at this week's Winter Meetings.
Bryce Harper Watch: Who will land the superstar free agent?
The winter meetings are underway in Bryce Harper's hometown of Las Vegas, where we're tracking all of the latest Bryce buzz all week long.
Winter meetings moves for all 30 teams
With every team looking to make moves in Las Vegas, here's a forecast of big trades and signings for each.
Chicago legends Baines, Lee Smith picked for Hall
Chicago won the day in Las Vegas, as Harold Baines and Lee Smith were chosen for enshrinement in Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame's Today's Game Era Committee selected them at baseball's winter meetings.
Dan Mullen ESPN.com
The Today's Game committee got the Las Vegas edition of the winter meetings off to a festive start by electing both Harold Baines and Lee Smith to the Hall of Fame. The pair will join whomever makes it next month in Cooperstown next summer.
Mets hire ex-Cubs hitting coach Chili Davis
Chili Davis has been hired as hitting coach of the New York Mets after spending last season in that role with the Chicago Cubs.
Kluber for Schwarber and more trades we want to see in Vegas
A swap of 2016 World Series stars? Madison Bumgarner in Dodger blue? We play Let's Make A Deal, Las Vegas-style with moves we'd make if we were calling the shots at the winter meetings.
Buster's Buzz: Which teams are waiting to pounce on bargains?
While some clubs will spend big money in Vegas, others are watching for when they can sign key players without busting their budgets.
Surgery to delay season start for Cubs' Morrow
The Chicago Cubs are likely to be without closer Brandon Morrow for the early portion of 2019 after he had elbow surgery.
Cubs might have to get creative without budget for a winter splash
With ownership not writing any blank checks, Theo Epstein enters the winter meetings exploring ways to improve the Cubs beyond just throwing money at their problems.
Cubs tender contract to suspended SS Russell
The Cubs have tendered a contract to shortstop Addison Russell, who is suspended for the first 40 games of next season for violating MLB's domestic violence policy.
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
Tommy La Stella slugged only .331 last year, but he got on base 34 percent of the time and is a left-handed bat with flexibility at 3B and 2B. He can compete for an everyday role with the Angels at either spot, depending on which one Zack Cozart plays. The others in the mix — Taylor Ward, David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo — are young and unproven.
Cubs trade fan-favorite La Stella to Angels
Tommy La Stella, a fan favorite who set the Cubs' single-season record with 24 pinch hits last season, has been traded to the Angels, where he could earn everyday at-bats.
Cubs agree to 1-year contract with LHP Ryan
The Chicago Cubs and left-hander Kyle Ryan have agreed to a one-year contract.
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
The Cubs have acquired infielder Ronald Torreyes from the Yankees for cash considerations or a player to be named later. Torreyes, 26, has a .685 OPS in parts of 4 major league seasons, the last 3 with NY. He's primarily played 2b, SS and 3b. This is his first year of being arbitration eligible.
Way-too-early 2019-20 MLB free-agent rankings
While this winter's crop searches for new homes, we look ahead to the big decisions that loom for some of the game's top stars -- Nolan Arenado, Chris Sale, Paul Goldschmidt and Gerrit Cole among them.
Source: Reliever Chavez, Rangers agree to deal
Reliever Jesse Chavez reportedly is re-signing with the Rangers, who traded him to the Cubs last season.
Choose Your Own Adventure, Bryce Harper edition
The top outfielder on the free-agent market is set to make big bucks. We put you in Bryce Harper's shoes. Where will you go?
The top offseason priority for all 30 MLB teams
Your favorite team probably isn't going to get Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. But another move -- maybe for a top pitcher -- could make all the difference this winter.
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2018 NL Central Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 96 | 67 | .589 | - | W8 |
| Chicago | 95 | 68 | .583 | 1 | L1 |
| St. Louis | 88 | 74 | .543 | 7.5 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh | 82 | 79 | .509 | 13 | W1 |
| Cincinnati | 67 | 95 | .414 | 28.5 | L1 |
2018 Team Leaders
- Batting
- Pitching
Batting Average
Home Runs
Runs Batted In
Earned Run Average
Wins
Strikeouts
Team Stats
- Batting
- Pitching
Runs7619th
Batting Average.2584th
On Base Percentage.3334th
Slugging Percentage.41013th
Earned Run Average3.653rd
Quality Starts82Tied-15th
WHIP1.3118th
BAA.24010th