Chicago Cubs News

The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran reliever Trent Thornton to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Thornton most recently appeared in the majors with Toronto last season, pitching to a 4.74 FIP across 33 appearances (42.1 innings). He limited walks but allowed a decent amount of contact with 6.80 K/9 and 1.28 HR/9. Pitch-tracking data indicate that Thornton threw seven different pitches in 2025, adding a splitter to his repertoire for the first time in his career. However, the slider/sweeper remains his best offering with 103 Stuff+, according to FanGraphs' model. The 32-year-old right-hander is working his way back from a torn Achilles, and it's currently unclear whether his recovery timetable will allow him to compete for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki had a career-worst .245 batting average in his fourth year in the big leagues with the Cubs in 2025, but he also set career-highs in home runs (32), RBI (103), and runs scored (75) while stealing five bases in a career-high 151 regular-season games. Suzuki's career-best numbers in homers and RBI were attributed to the fact that he pulled the ball more and put the ball in the air more often than in his previous three campaigns after coming over from Japan. The 31-year-old veteran's counting stats were also aided by the fact that he didn't go on the injured list for the first time in his MLB career. Reaching the 30-homer mark for a second straight season in a contract year is certainly attainable for Suzuki, and he should once again have plenty of chances to drive in runs in the middle of Chicago's batting order. Fantasy managers should consider Suzuki just inside the top-25 outfielders for 2026.

According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner would be a "perfect fit" for the Boston Red Sox. While the Cubs appear hesitant to move Hoerner in a trade, the Red Sox could offer them a high-end, budding pitcher, which is what they have been seeking on the trade market this offseason. With the Red Sox signing Ranger Suarez earlier this month, they could look to move one of their top emerging arms, Payton Tolle or Connelly Early, in a trade to acquire the second baseman. In 2025, Hoerner posted a strong .297/.345/.394 line with seven home runs and 29 stolen bases. He generated an elite 98th percentile xBA with a 7.6% K%. If Hoerner were to move to Boston, he would see a full-time role at second base, shifting Romy Gonzalez and potentially Kristian Campbell to a utility role.

Chicago Cubs catching prospect Moises Ballesteros appears poised to take on a larger role in the major leagues this season. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com notes that with outfielder Owen Caissie now in Miami, Ballesteros faces minimal competition for everyday at-bats and should be in a great position to take on a lead role early in the campaign. Last summer, Ballesteros made his MLB debut and had success during his brief 20-game stint, holding a .298/.394/.474 line with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Iowa, where the 22-year-old posted an impressive .316/.385/.473 line with an .858 OPS, 29 doubles, and 13 home runs. Given his projected role as the primary DH, Ballesteros carries sleeper appeal in all 12-team formats heading into 2026.

The Chicago Cubs have signed outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Greg Zumach of The Baseball Tribune. Carlson was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2016 and made his MLB debut with the organization in 2020. He ascended into the role of everyday right fielder and was a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year in 2021. However, his productivity at the plate dipped over time. He was traded to the Rays in 2024 and spent last season in a platoon role with the Baltimore Orioles. Across 83 big-league contests in Birdland, he slashed just .203/.278/.336 with an 8.7% walk rate, a 22.4% strikeout rate, and 74 wRC+. He posted negative fWAR for the second season in a row, forcing him to settle for a minor league contract this offseason. Now back in the NL Central for the first time since 2024, Carlson will look to compete for a 26-man roster spot in camp. It's a relatively crowded position battle, though, especially after the Cubs inked outfielder Chas McCormick to a similar minor league deal last week.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) resumed throwing off a mound last week, according to the team's injury tracker on MLB.com. Steele has been on the injured list since undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery last April, and the only significant update on his status between then and now was an October report that said Steele had resumed throwing. Throwing off a mound is the latest step in his recovery, and Steele recently said that he is either on or ahead of schedule. He might not be ready for Opening Day, but an April return remains a real possibility, especially amid reports that he should face batters during spring training. Steele was the ace of the Cubs' staff when he was fully healthy in 2024, putting together a 2.74 xERA with 9.02 K/9, 2.47 BB/9, and a 44.8% ground ball rate. It's unclear which rotation spot he'll slot into upon his return, as the Cubs' five current projected starters all had sub-3.75 ERAs last year. Despite the crowded pitching staff, Steele's track record puts him in line for a prominent rotation role once he's healthy enough to pitch again. If anything, the Cubs' pitching depth could allow them to be extra cautious and not rush Steele back.

The Texas Rangers have signed free agent left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. The 32-year-old has spent parts of seven seasons in the majors, including the last five with the Colorado Rockies. He tossed just 57.2 innings over 12 starts last year, pitching to a 0-7 record and 7.49 ERA. It's possible that he was a bit unlucky, as his xFIP was 5.67 and presumably would have been even lower if he didn't have to pitch at Coors Field. Still, it was the worst season of his career, as his strikeout rate dropped to 5.3 K/9 and his home run rate soared to 2.5 HR/9. Joining the Rangers should allow Gomber to pitch in a park that is far more pitcher-friendly, but first, he'll have to make the team. Gomber will spend spring training competing for the Rangers' fifth and final rotation spot behind Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, and Jack Leiter.

Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman will have a new home for the 2026 season after signing a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in free agency. The 31-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Astros before signing a short-term deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 season. Bregman missed time in 2025 due to injury, but produced a .273/.360/.462 slash line with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored across 495 plate appearances. In Chicago, he'll likely hit in the middle of what projects to be one of the best lineups in baseball. However, it's fair to wonder if Bregman's power output will decline now that he no longer has the home-field advantage provided by short left fields in Houston and Boston. With just a 6.1% career barrel rate, Bregman does not have elite underlying power metrics. Still, Bregman owns a career slugging percentage of .490 on the road, and 12 of his 18 home runs in 2025 came away from Fenway Park. Given that he still has a strong supporting cast around him in Chicago, Bregman's current average draft position as the eighth third baseman off the board may represent a value for fantasy managers.

The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent outfielder Chas McCormick to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. McCormick will be battling for a roster spot during camp this year in his new digs after he struggled in his final two seasons with the Houston Astros. The 30-year-old center fielder hit a career-high .273 with a career-best 22 home runs, 70 RBI, 59 runs, and a career-high 19 steals in 115 games for Houston in 2023, but the last two years combined, he has slashed a mere .211/.273/.301 with a .574 OPS, only six home runs, 32 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 158 games played. There's a very good chance that McCormick is forced to open the 2026 campaign in the minors at Triple-A Iowa for outfield depth, depending on how he performs this spring.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins looked quite impressive in the 2025 campaign and enters the 2026 campaign ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect on MLB Pipeline and the overall No. 67 in the sport. Wiggins opened the 2025 season with High-A but needed only 26 1/3 innings to prove he was ready to join the upper ranks. During this stint, the right-hander struck out 31 hitters and held a 1.71 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. Through his first 42 innings at Double-A, Wiggins continued to find success, holding a 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 52:17 K:BB. He was then given a short nine 2/3 inning stint with Triple-A late in the season, where he allowed five runs, walked six hitters, but added 14 punchouts. Given his quick progression through the system, Wiggins appears ticketed to compete for a midseason MLB debut. Managers should expect him to begin the 2026 season sitting at the top of the Triple-A Iowa rotation.

Chicago Cubs catcher/first base prospect Moises Ballesteros could see a full-time role on the MLB roster in the 2026 season. The team's top catching prospect made his MLB debut last season and showed flashes in his limited 20-game stint. During this small taste, the 22-year-old held a .298/.394/.474 line with two home runs. However, with Kyle Tucker off the roster, the team's primary designated hitter last season, Seiya Suzuki, will likely shift back to right field, opening a spot in the lineup for Ballesteros. Additionally, the backstop could serve as the No. 2 option to Carson Kelly, further opening up opportunities. Through 114 games at Triple-A last summer, Ballesteros flashed immense upside, holding a .316/.385/.473 line. He is a name to closely monitor during camp, as he could be a top late-round power target if he claims the primary DH role.

The Chicago Cubs have claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Cowles spent the majority of the 2025 season with the Cubs but was sent to the South Side to join the White Sox in September. However, the White Sox designated the third baseman for assignment in January, and he is now slated to return to the Cubs. The 25-year-old has yet to make his MLB debut. Last summer, he spent his entire campaign at the Triple-A level, playing with the Iowa Cubs and the Charlotte Knights. Through 128 total contests, Cowles held a .235/.300/.371 line with a modest .671 OPS. He went deep nine times and swiped 18 bags. The Maryland product is expected to begin the season at Triple-A and provide infield depth within the Cubs' system.

According to Jessee Rogers of ESPN, Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw could see time in the outfield during the upcoming season. Last week, the Cubs signed free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a massive five-year contract, which will likely block Shaw out of a starting role in the infield with Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Michael Busch slated to cover second base, shortstop, and first base, respectively. However, the team's President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer, expressed that the team could get creative to find Shaw at-bats, especially in the outfield. Shaw made his MLB debut at the beginning of the 2025 season and struggled, posting a low .226/.295/.394 line across 126 gams. However, he did hit 13 home runs and swipe 17 bags. Managers should monitor Shaw's usage during spring training. While the Cubs' outfield is currently crowded as well, Shaw could take on a super-utility role, which could earn him close to every-day at-bats. For now, he is best left for deeper 15+ team redraft leagues given his unknown role.

Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle Mariners "remain interested" in acquiring Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. With the Cubs' recent addition of third baseman Alex Bregman, Chicago could be looking to shuffle pieces around in its infield, and Hoerner will reach free agency at the end of the 2026 season. Across 156 games for the Cubs in 2025, Hoerner posted a .297/.345/.394 slash line with seven home runs, 61 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. The 28-year-old is widely considered one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball and has logged at least 640 plate appearances in three straight seasons. Seattle currently has Cole Young penciled in as its opening day second baseman, who posted a .607 OPS across 257 plate appearances in 2025. Jude also reports that the Mariners have strong interest in St. Louis Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan, so it appears that the team is actively seeking infield upgrades.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw could lose playing time after the signing of Alex Bregman, or the team could look to move him in a trade. There was initial speculation that the team could move the top prospect to 2B and look to trade Nico Hoerner, but The Athletic's Keith Law reported that Shaw has shown "resistance to help from the Cubs' staff" and could be a trade candidate as a result. Shaw hit .226 in his 126 games last season with 13 home runs, a .300 wOBA, and an elevated 21.5% striekout rate. The 24-year-old Shaw would be an interesting acquisition for any team looking for young infield help since he has shown so much promise, but struggled to put it together in the majors. In 2024, he hit .284 between Double-A and Triple-A with 21 homers and 31 stolen bases. He has great upside but comes with some coachability questions, which makes him an intriguing but risky potential addition this offseason.

Chicago Cubs former top prospect Matt Shaw appears to be in serious danger of falling into a reserve role for the 2026 campaign. On Saturday night, the Cubs inked a massive five-year $175 million contract with third baseman free agent Alex Bregman. However, with Bregman now slated to cover the hot corner on the North Side of Chicago, Shaw could be shifted to the bench early in the season. In 2025, Shaw logged 124 games at third base and added four at the kystone. With Nico Hoerner locked in as the everyday second baseman, Shaw will likely take on a super-utility role, which will hurt his short-term fantasy value. In his debut campaign, the former 13th overall pick posted a disappointing .226/.295/.394 line with 13 home runs nd 17 stolen bases. Given this signing, Shaw is only worth targeting late in drafts in 15+ team formats for the time being.

Following the Cubs' signing of third baseman Alex Bregman, the New York Yankees have already expressed interest in trading for second baseman Nico Hoerner and have reached out to begin preliminary discussions. Bregman's signing with the Cubs does create a bit of a logjam in their infield, as top prospect Matt Shaw will likely revert to a super-utility role. However, if the Cubs were to move Hoerner, who is in the final year of his contract, Shaw could become the everyday second baseman. The Yankees are expected to rely on Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the keystone this season, but could shift him to the hot corner if they were to acquire Hoerner from the Cubs. While he does not possess much power upside, Hoerner posted an elite .297 AVG with 29 stolen bases last season. Hoerner would likely slot in as the everyday leadoff hitter in New York and could see his run total push for a career high, batting in front of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

The Boston Red Sox offered third baseman Alex Bregman a five-year, $165 million contract before he opted to sign with the Cubs on Saturday evening. The Cubs were able to narrowly win the bidding war for the longtime Astro, inking him to a five-year $175 million contract. Bregman spent the 2025 campaign with the Red Sox and expressed interest in returning to Boston on a long-term deal. In his lone season with Boston, Bregman posted a .273/.360/.462 slash line with 18 home runs and 28 doubles. He generated a .337 xwOBA and showed an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 10.3% rate and striking out at a 14.1% clip. With Bregman out of the picture, managers should expect the Red Sox to give young infielder Marcelo Mayer the slight edge for the starting third base job in Spring Training.

The Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Beede pitched briefly in Triple-A with the Minnesota Twins last season. He was released by the organization after posting an 8.00 ERA. 2.33 WHIP, and a 7/9 K/BB ratio across seven games. Beede hasn't pitched in the MLB since the 2024 season with the Cleveland Guardians. He registered an 8.36 ERA in 13 appearances with them. The 32-year-old is a former first-round pick who has never been able to put it together at the big league level. He'll likely serve as organizational depth and head to Triple-A Iowa to begin 2026.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs have signed free agent third baseman Alex Bregman to a massive five-year contract worth $175 million. Bregman was one of the top free-agent infielders still available on the open market, alongside shortstop Bo Bichette. Bregman spent the 2025 campaign with Boston after playing with the Houston Astros for the first nine seasons of his MLB career. With Boston, Bregman remained a productive hitter, posting a strong .273/.360/.462 slash line with 28 doubles and 18 home runs across 114 contests. Under the hood, he generated a 71st-percentile .337 xwOBA and continued to show an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 10.3% rate and striking out at a 14.1% rate. With the Cubs, Bregman figures to serve as the everyday third baseman, which will likely shift former top prospect Matt Shaw into a utility role in the infield, as Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Michael Busch are expected to remain everyday players. Bregman carries top-10 upside at the third base position in all formats as he moves to Chicago.