What's Next For The Cubs This Offseason?

Here's a very preliminary first thought at the Cubs' 25-man roster, based on the moves made over the last week or so:

Catchers (2)

Miguel Montero
David Ross

Infielders (6)

Anthony Rizzo
Ben Zobrist
Addison Russell
Kris Bryant
Brendan Ryan
Tommy La Stella

Outfielders (5)

Kyle Schwarber
Jason Heyward
Jorge Soler
Chris Coghlan
Matt Szczur

Pitchers (12)

Jake Arrieta
Jon Lester
John Lackey
Kyle Hendricks
Jason Hammel
Hector Rondon
Pedro Strop
Clayton Richard
Travis Wood
Neil Ramirez
Adam Warren
Rex Brothers

Now, before you start going off on me and saying the Cubs could carry 13 pitchers, where's Justin Grimm (who I left off primarily because he has options left), etc. etc. etc., note again I said above:

very preliminary

I made up this 25-man roster based solely on looking at who's on the 40-man roster as of this morning, December 14, 2015.

I'm pretty sure there will be changes to the list above, and probably quite a few, based on the front office's activity over the last couple of weeks. In fact, there's been yet another minor-league signing, according to Chicago Cubs Online: Jean Machi, who had been a fairly effective reliever for the Giants in some of their World Series seasons. Just another guy for depth; Theo & Co. seem to be picking up quite a number of guys like that, including former top Dodgers prospect Stephen Fife, who's coming off Tommy John surgery and who didn't pitch at all in 2015. Seems like someone else who could be stashed at Iowa as starter insurance.

But more importantly, the Cubs could still make some deals with players currently on the roster, or signings. It could be that management would rather have a true center fielder with Jason Heyward in right, so they could trade Jorge Soler for pitching help and sign someone like Austin Jackson. Or, they could trade Jason Hammel or Travis Wood or Chris Coghlan to get help in any one of a number of areas. I don't really think Matt Szczur will be on the Opening Day roster -- but right now, there are only four outfielders on the 40-man roster (Heyward having not yet being added -- when he is, that will make the five listed above).

The intention of this post is to give you a place to discuss potential deals the Cubs could make. Who could go? Who could be brought in, either by trade or signing? Now that the dust has settled a bit from the Heyward signing, and it's Monday morning, here's your chance to propose deals. Try to be realistic about them, too. (Even though it's been pretty much agreed here that Dan Vogelbach should be included in every trade proposal... seriously, see if you can make some without him.)

Also, remember that in addition to Heyward, Trevor Cahill and Brendan Ryan have not yet been added to the 40-man roster, which stands at 39. Two players will have to be sent through waivers to leave the 40-man at 40 -- who will those players be?

Have at it.