Ultimate Cubs Superfans Newsletter 

Rebranding already… YEP!

Goal

• We are in the proof of concept phase and I plan to release newsletters on Mon/Wed/Fri leading up to Opening Day

  • The release is at 7:20 am Central Time. Get it!

• Facebook Group is live

What's the Buzz, Cubs Fans?

We took a deep dive into the internet this weekend to get a feel for what you've been saying. After sifting through forums, social media, and especially Reddit, it's clear the offseason's been buzzing with talk. That moment when Ohtani signed with the Dodgers? Yeah, it hit us hard. It wasn't just a sting; it was a wake-up call, sparking a wildfire of conversation among us.

We're all hungry for the Cubs to step up, to make those moves that tell the world we're here to compete. The sentiment out there is a cocktail of frustration over not opening the wallet wider and scratching our heads over the team's direction. But as we dissected your comments and posts, the question emerged: Are our expectations skyrocketing, or is it the disappointment with the Bellinger and Ohtani situations that's got us riled up?

Digging into the voice of the fans has shown us a community passionate, engaged, and ready for action. So, as we look ahead to the season, let's keep this conversation going. Are we aiming too high, or are we right to expect more? Your voices are crucial as we navigate this journey together.

Catchers at the Heart

Hey, Cubs fans! Let’s chat about our 2024 catchers. Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya are our main guys. Gomes, remember him from Cleveland in 2016? He’s still got it, and last year, he was pretty solid with the bat, which is awesome for a catcher. He isn’t getting any younger. He will be 37 in July so the days of 400+ ABs may be in the past. Splitting time with the youngster is in the cards.

Miguel Amaya has been on our radar since he was named a top prospect in 2019. We're all excited to see what he can do this year. He only had 131 at-bats last season but it feels like he has been around for years. Amaya was great in June hitting .294 with an OPS at .958 (that’s elite) but tapered off in August/September/October. He hit .146 with an OPS of .588 (not elite) but he’s very young at 24 and that is expected of most young players getting their first cup of coffee in the bigs.

The Cubs brass love some depth at catcher. Last year we opened with 3 catchers, Tucker Barnhart struggled at the plate and eventually was released.

These new faces have been invited to spring training as non-roster invitees, Jorge Alfaro, Pablo Aliendo, Joe Hudson, and Bryce Windham joining us for spring training. It's all about being ready for anything.

Jorge Alfaro is an interesting addition to Spring Training. He was once a highly regarded catching prospect for the Rangers. He was traded to Philadephia in a deal for Cole Hamels. You may remember that Cole pitched a no-hitter against our beloved Cubs just before that deal. Alfaro hasn’t hit and has led catchers in passed balls in 2021 & 2022. It’s a buy low and hope for the best situation.

Marquee Network and Watching the Cubs in 2024 

Marquee Network is still where it’s at for Cubs games in 2024. They’re offering live games and some replays from the day before. But if you’re hoping to catch a game on-demand, the pickings might be slim like last year.

For 2024, here’s the scoop: While Marquee’s got the live games covered, fans looking for on-demand action might need to get a bit creative. Last season’s setup, with some replays and shows but limited recent games, looks to be the plan again. But hey, being Cubs fans, we’re used to finding ways to catch our team in action, right?

It’s all about making sure we can catch every game, every big play. Because nothing beats following the Cubs through every up and down.

Rolling into 2024, it's our shared passion for the Cubs that keeps this community strong. From talking catchers to sorting out viewing plans, it's all part of the journey. Here’s to making this season one for the books.

Super Fan Mark, Editor