The Chicago Cubs, like all other 29 teams, are given a specific dollar amount each year to spend on International Free Agents. During the signing period, teams can allocate as much as they want on specific prospects, typically teenagers who they project could develop into good ball players.
On Thursday, December 4, the front office felt the need to acquire more money in that pool. They accomplished this by trading minor league pitcher Nico Zeglin to the Houston Astros in exchange for more funds.
MLB: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs
MLB: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs Apr 4, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Jed Hoyer President of the Chicago Cubs prepares to throw balls to fans before a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Zeglin, who will be 26 throughout the 2026 season, has pitched just one year in the Cubs organization. That came in 2024, when he threw 66 innings at the A level, posting a 0.95 ERA and striking out 90 batters. Before that, he pitched collegiately for Gonzaga and Long Beach State from 2021–2023, then had a stint in independent ball before joining Chicago. Due to injury, he did not pitch in 2025.
The strikeout numbers from Zeglin certainly are eye popping, which is perhaps why the Astros elected to trade for him. Furthermore, Keith Law at The Athletic deemed Zeglin to have a 70-grade changeup. With 80 being the highest score on the grading scale, there are real reasons to believe that Zeglin could emerge into a big league pitcher someday.
For the Cubs, the hope is that moving Zeglin for international bonus pool money doesn’t come back to bite them. With an elite secondary pitch, he could breakout in Houston, leaving Chicago wishing they’d held on a little longer. For now, though, the Cubs are betting that the added flexibility in the international market outweighs that risk.