The Cubs’ 92 win season was their highest total in 8 seasons, but not enough to secure the NL Central away from Milwaukee, whom they eventually lost the NLDS to as well. All said, it was a big step forward for a franchise that has been reeling since turning a World Series winning roster over after 2017, and the front office doesn’t appear to be ready to back down any time soon.

A Bright Spot
The bats are alive. Resurgent seasons from Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Michael Busch, plus a breakout most-of-season from 24-year-old Pete Crow-Armstrong factored into a +144 run differential for the Cubs in 2025. All are on the books for 2026.

A Big Concern
The Cubs have been patchworking together a bullpen for the better part of 3 seasons, and probably don’t have a lot of confidence in what remains for 2026 currently speaking. Will they spend a bulk of their offense going after MLB-ready arms?

Related Links
2026 Cubs Financials
MLB Offseason Guides

Pending Free Agents

Despite a calf injury and a bit of a production freeze down the stretch, Tucker still projects to be the big fish this winter, and is likely priced out of Chicago’s reach with a large-market bidding war. Bringing back a few arms at under-value pricing will certainly help, but the Cubs have a roster ready to compete without working too hard right now.




PLAYER
MARKET VALUE




Kyle Tucker (RF, 28)
$40M


Aaron Civale (SP, 30)
$15M


Willi Castro (INF, 28)
$11M


Carlos Santana (1B, 39)
$6M


Caleb Thielbar (RP, 38)
$5.4M


Michael Soroka (RP, 28)
$3.6M


Taylor Rogers (RP, 34)
$3.5M


Drew Pomeranz (RP, 36)
$2.2M


Brad Keller (SP, 30)
$1.75M


Ryan Brasier (RP, 38)
$1.5M

Option Decisions

Imanaga’s option situation is a bit messy (but probably shouldn’t be). The Cubs have the ability to fully guarantee the next 3 years, $57.75M right now, no questions asked. If they decline to do that, Imanaga gains a $15M player option for 2026. If he declines that, he’ll be allowed to test free agency. Keeping a potential top of the rotation starter at under $20M per year seems a no-brainer.

Arbitration-Eligibility

Steele is returning from UCL surgery and could rejoin the rotation out of camp. Assad should be competing for a back of the rotation spot once the dust settles. Morgan and McGuire could be non-tender candidates.

Guaranteed Salary

This time last year, there was talk about attempting to trade more than a few of these names. This time around the organization seems to have a strong core of veteran contracts on the books for the foreseeable future.

Team Tax Projections

The Cubs stayed about $14M under the tax threshold last season according to our data, and they enter the 2026 league year with a CBT projection near $171M. There’s room to exercise options, re-sign a few free agents, add a few new ones as well.