Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have very few players under contract past 2026 and 2027, which means the next few winters could be quite busy. Just a few years ago, the team had one of the best farm systems in baseball. Those players are now reaching the major leagues, which could prove to be pivotal as Jed Hoyer looks to construct the next great Cubs team.

As first reported by Jon Heyman, the Cubs have signed catcher Christian Bethancourt to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.6 million if he makes the team. The 34-year-old's last big league action came with the Cubs in 2024, when he slashed .281/.305/.509 with a 125 wRC+ over 59 plate appearances over the last two months of the season.

Munetaka Murakami hit 36 homers as a 19-year-old in 2019, then set the NPB single-season record with 56 dingers three years later. Contract projections ranged as high as $180 million over eight years, and even the most conservative estimate had him earning $80 million for five years. But as concerns over his defense and whiff rate overcame the desire for what at least one exec believes is 90-grade power - which is to say Kyle Schwarber levels - Murakami's market cratered.

Hoerner is a staple of the Cubs' elite defense, winning his second Gold Glove Award in 2025. He totalled 14 outs above average (OAA) and a fielding run value of 12, both of which were twice as high as any other second baseman in the game. His ability to play shortstop at a high level adds even more value and has other teams eyeing him as a trade target.

The Orioles are trading for starting pitcher Shane Baz, according to multiple reports. Trade news: The Baltimore Orioles are acquiring right-hander Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Slater de Brun, catcher Caden Bodine, right-hander Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn as well as a Competitive Balance Round A pick, sources tell ESPN. - Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2025

As first reported by ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have re-signed lefty reliever Caleb Thielbar. The southpaw pitched well over 58 innings across 67 appearances, posting a 2.64 ERA and striking out four times as many batters as he walked. Thielbar also did a very good job of keeping the ball in the park, surrendering only five home runs all season.

After rebuffing an interview attempt from the Nationals, the Cubs have promoted Tyler Zombro to vice president of pitching, reports Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. After just one year in the front office, Zombro will now take on an expanded role in scouting, coaching, and player development. Zombro joined the organization last season as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. He'd previously worked with Tread Athletics, a well-regarded training facility.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN reported in his article this afternoon that the Chicago Cubs are a team that "could make a deal soon." Every report from Orlando has indicated that the Cubs are indeed very active on the trade market, but those things can still take time to develop. Sadadev Sharma mentioned MacKenzie Gore and Edward Cabrera as two names that may be of interest as Jed Hoyer looks to bolster his starting staff.

A third Chicago Cubs player has committed to play in the World Baseball Classic, though this time it's not for Team USA. Owen Caissie will represent Team Canada in the 2026 WBC, marking his second time on their roster. He recorded three hits across Canada's three games, including a home run. He also drew a walk and struck out twice.

The Winter Meetings have generally been slower over the last half-decade or so than what a lot of us were used to, largely due to the pandemic and the increasing ubiquity of virtual communication. It used to be that you pretty much had to be in the same room as someone to get a deal done, but that's obviously no longer the case.

This week should be busy for the Cubs, who will look to strengthen their roster in hopes of returning to the postseason and dethroning the division-champion Brewers. Hoyer has been very open about the fact that pitching will be the focus. Whether through a trade or free agent signing, the Cubs will hope to leave the Sunshine State with a bolstered starting rotation.

In his latest piece about the Pirates trading away Johan Oviedo, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Pirates are open to trading another starting pitcher not named Paul Skenes. So while it still feels like it's only a matter of time before that domino falls and Skenes gets shippied out of Pittsburgh, it isn't likely to happen this season. Despite having perhaps the best pitcher in baseball, the Pirates finished in last place in the NL Central with just 71 wins.

At the risk of banging the Michael King drum too loudly after already featuring him in another post from earlier today, I wanted to look more at why he is a perfect fit for what the Cubs do. CI has been told that Jed Hoyer is infatuated with Japanese fireballer Tatsuya Imai, who will likely be a priority because his posting window closes on January 2, but King appears to be a very close second when it comes to their offseason wishlist. Though his fastball doesn't jump off the page, it's the way King manipulates it and the rest of his pitches that makes him so intriguing.

If recent predictions from ESPN's top baseball writers carry any weight, it doesn't look like the Cubs are expected to do much on the trade front. Though Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel listed as many as eight team fits for each of their top 25 trade candidates this offseason, the Cubs did not appear a single time. Not for Tarik Skubal (No. 1), not for Byron Buxton (5), not for Joe Ryan (6),