The Cubs added star power in the Kyle Tucker trade, but otherwise made modest additions despite several other big swings.
Major League Signings
- Matthew Boyd, SP: two years, $29MM. Includes $15MM mutual option for 2027 with a $2MM buyout
- Carson Kelly, C: two years, $11.5MM. Includes $7.5MM mutual option for 2027 with a $1.5MM buyout
- Justin Turner, 1B/DH: one year, $6MM. Includes a $10MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
- Colin Rea, SP/RP: one year, $5MM. Includes $6MM club option with a $750K buyout
- Caleb Thielbar, RP: one year, $2.75MM
- Jon Berti, 3B/2B: one year, $2MM
2025 spending: $33.25MM
Total spending: $56.25MM
Option Decisions
- Cody Bellinger, RF/CF/1B: exercised $27.5MM player option for 2025
- Club declined $10MM mutual option with LHP Drew Smyly
Trades and Claims
- Claimed RP Rob Zastryzny off waivers from Brewers. Zastryzny was later outrighted, elected free agency, and signed with the Yankees.
- Acquired RP Eli Morgan from Guardians for OF Alfonsin Rosario
- Acquired C Matt Thaiss from Angels for cash considerations
- Selected 3B/SS Gage Workman from Tigers in Rule 5 draft
- Acquired RF Kyle Tucker from Astros for IF Isaac Paredes, P Hayden Wesneski, and 3B Cam Smith
- Acquired cash from White Sox for C Matt Thaiss
- Acquired P Cody Poteet from Yankees for OF/1B Cody Bellinger and $5MM
- Acquired IF Vidal Brujan from Marlins for 1B Matt Mervis
- Acquired RP Matt Festa from Rangers for cash considerations. Festa was later outrighted, elected free agency, and signed with the Rangers.
- Acquired cash considerations from Mariners for IF Miles Mastrobuoni
- Acquired cash considerations from Yankees for P Michael Arias
- Acquired RP Ryan Pressly and $5.5MM from Astros for SP Juan Bello
- Acquired cash from Orioles for IF Luis Vazquez
- Acquired RP Ryan Brasier and cash considerations from Dodgers for a player to be named later or cash
- Acquired cash considerations from Mets for OF Alexander Canario
Notable Minor League Signings
- Trevor Richards, Reese McGuire, Brad Keller, Nicky Lopez, Chris Flexen, Travis Jankowski, Phil Bickford, Ben Heller, Yency Almonte
Extensions
- None
Notable Losses
- Paredes, Wesneski, Smith, Adbert Alzolay, Patrick Wisdom, Drew Smyly, Nick Madrigal, Mike Tauchman
Much like the previous winter with Marcus Stroman, this Cubs offseason kicked off with a pivotal player option decision that would affect their financial flexibility. This time, Cody Bellinger elected to take the $27.5MM owed to him in 2025 in lieu of a $2.5MM buyout, which also preserves a $25MM option on 2026 with a $5MM buyout. Bellinger's decision was not surprising, as he's now positioned himself to decline the '26 option having collected a total of $32.5MM for '25.
The Athletic's Patrick Mooney suggested a couple of times early in the offseason that the Cubs were seeking a starting pitcher who "could be trusted in a playoff game." Nonetheless, it wasn't long before Mooney's colleague Sahadev Sharma wrote that "the top tier of the starting pitching market has been ruled out" for the club. Blake Snell, Max Fried, and Corbin Burnes would go on to sign contracts ranging from $182-218MM (though some included deferred money), and the Cubs were seemingly never a factor on them due to what I assume are philosophical objections to five-plus year commitments to thirty-something-aged free agent starters.
Instead, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer made a pre-Winter Meetings strike for 34-year-old southpaw Matthew Boyd. Boyd was available on a two-year contract because of his age and injury history. After totaling 355 2/3 innings for the 2018-19 Tigers, Boyd has not reached 80 innings in a season since.
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Since you mentioned how the CUbs aquired Festa and then outrighted him, you might want to mention that Rob Zastryzny was outrighted and eventually rejected his assignment to Iowa and was granted Free Agency and is no longer with the team just like Festa.
Good catch, I have updated that.
Also, I added a bit of original reporting: the NPV of Scott’s Dodgers deal according to the union is $61,678,119.
Now that the “greatest MLB manager in history” is no longer the highest paid manager, he will whine/complain that he isn’t respected anymore. Cub fans, you’re sooooo screwed.
Offensive Production:
The acquisition of Kyle Tucker is a major upgrade, significantly boosting their offensive capabilities. This move demonstrates a strong commitment to improving their lineup. This area would receive an A grade.
Pitching Staff:
The Cubs have made moves to reinforce their pitching staff, including adding Ryan Pressly to the bullpen and adding depth to the rotation. However, there are still some questions about the consistency of the rotation. This area would likely receive a B+ grade.
Defensive Stability:
The cubs have a solid defensive core. Players like Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner provide excellent defense. This area would receive an A- grade.
Team Depth:
The Cubs have made moves to add depth to the bench, and to the pitching staff. This will help them navigate the long baseball season. This area would receive a B+ grade.
Overall Evaluation:
The Cubs’ offseason was very productive, with the acquisition of Kyle Tucker being a standout move. Overall, they would likely receive a grade in the A- to B+ range.
A realistic win projection for the Cubs would be in the 85-92 win range.
That’s…a lot of work!! They added a whole lotta talent.
I gave the Cubs an overall “C” grade, a “B” for Jed Hoyer and a “D” for Tom Ricketts. :-/
A
Added a star impact player in Tucker. Only cost them a prospect, a very promising bat but might be 1b. In Houston he might be able to be a LF. Paredes bat is much better fit in Houston.
They added all around. Active. I like the effort.
At this point, with limited data, it’s hard to see this as being anything but a loss for the Cubs, unless they win the WS. 3 years of Paredes, 5 years of Wesnewski, who might be a #4/5 SP, and 6 years of Smith, who might be the Astros starting 3B as early as this year?
I think Matt Shaw needs to be added to the equation. The Cubs certainly cleared third base for him.
He is going to Japan. I don’t expect much but a few singles to the right side to move runners up is good for their team
If they win the world series it’s one of the greatest trades in history. All they need to do is make playoffs for it to be a win. Or simply have attendance surpass 3m and it’s alright.
You don’t worry about someone who might be a back end starter when you can just sign a Heaney Quintana for 5m. Houston could be able to get more out of Wesnewski. Paredes should be good in Houston but in Chicago just a guy. Only major loss is Smith but if you think he is a 1b it’s not as big.
Wesneski has been nothing but unreliable. And he had plenty of opportunity to step into the rotation and flat out couldn’t cut it.
The Bregman pursuit was a huge waste of time. Matt Shaw will be the Cubs 3b for the next 6 years at least and hopefully beyond. The team as constructed should win 86-90 games and win the NL Central by 4-5 games over the Reds. The rest of the division will be below .500. Tucker may end up loving the Wrigley Field experience so much he decides to stay after testing free agency, if not ONKC is ready to step into the spotlight. Happ and Suzuki both have NTC so they aren’t going anywhere without consent, but the eventual long term outfield may be Alcantara, PCA and Caissie.
Must have posted that poll after Happy Hour.. If you think this off season was a success you must be high.
They are better at a lower cost. So in Tom’s eyes it was successful
And jankowski just signed with white sox? Why did hoyer even bother? All he did was take up space from those young talented players hoyer often speaks highly but yet they remain blocked in the minors. When hoyer and tucker pack their bags after this year, maybe the youngsters will get their opportunities then. In meantime hang in there- better days ahead!
Yes. Better days ahead with Jed and Kyle departing and cheap Tom still printing money but refusing to spend it like most of the other big market owners.
The Big Apple has Steve Cohen and the Steinbrenner family while Chicago has to settle for the Tom and Jerry show.