With the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings ongoing, rumors are swirling and the Chicago Cubs are at the forefront in a number of cases.
The first day of the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, FL is in the books. Although it was a quiet day on the market, the stove is starting to heat up. A number of names were the focus of these rumors on Monday, including Kazuma Okamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Alex Bregman, Eugenio Suarez, Tatsuya Imai, Kyle Tucker, and Kyle Schwarber. The Cubs, surprisingly, have been mentioned in rumors with a number of those aforementioned names.
Let’s take a deeper look into some of the storylines and how the Cubs are supposedly involved based on the rumors.
Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami
Mar 16, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Yomiuri Giants first baseman Kazuma Okamoto (25) hits a single against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Cubs are (maybe) shockingly in the conversation for third basemen. In addition, the Cubs have a noted reputation with Japanese players with Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga. Now, it appears the Cubs are doing some digging on a pair of Japanese corner infielders in Okamoto and Murakami.
Between the two, both have had spectacular careers in NPB, but Murakami’s upside is his age. The lefty hitter is only 25 years old (will be 26 at the start of next season) and has posted some serious accolades. A long-term contract is appealing given where he is at in his career. As for Okamoto, the right-handed hitter has featured more contact than power and will be 29 years old through the middle of next season.
Story continues below.
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Upside is great, but there are some strikeout concerns with Murakami over the last few years and a notable decline in his power against lesser pitching. Murakami also projects as a first baseman in MLB after playing third in Japan, something the Cubs may not like. As for Okamoto, he’s been a bit more consistent in terms of average and can confidently play both corner infield spots.
However, both seem to be backup plans for the next guy.
Alex Bregman
Sep 25, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (2) throws out Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (not pictured) at first base during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
After striking out on Bregman last offseason, the Cubs are back in the hunt for the former Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox third baseman. Last offseason, the Cubs reportedly offered Bregman a four-year deal around $115 million, but the veteran opted for the much more lucrative deal in Boston. Now, after exercising his opt-out clause, he is back on the market for the highest bidder.
There have been reports indicating the Cubs are serious about Bregman, but Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports that the Cubs are waiting for Boston to pounce on another hitter before pursuing the free agent. He certainly could return to Boston this winter, and the Cubs surely have a price point they want to remain close to in potential negotiations. This feels like a move where they like Matt Shaw, but would love Bregman if the dollars work.
Matt Shaw had a great second half after a rocky start to 2025, but the Cubs could be wise to still upgrade the position. Shaw could work into a utility role of sorts for now, and potentially fill and hole or become a piece of a larger trade later. Despite the incredible late-season stretch at the plate, the Cubs aren’t completely sold with his body of work.
Eugenio Suarez
Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez (28) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning during game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Although mentioned much less than Bregman, the Cubs are linked to noted Cubs killer Eugenio Suarez. The power-hitting third baseman was a reported target for the Cubs at the deadline, but the team ultimately watched him land with the Seattle Mariners.
Suarez would add a pop to the lineup that is lost with the impending departure of Kyle Tucker. Plus, no active hitter outside of the Cubs has hit more home runs at Wrigley Field than Suarez. It feels like a match made in heaven for both sides.
Tatsuya Imai
It took time, but the Cubs have now become one of the teams most associated with interest in Tatsuya Imai. The star Japanese righty would surely be the perfect addition to Cade Horton and the left-handed dominant rotation the Cubs have.
There have been a lot of reports connecting the Cubs to the NPB star, but nothing is super concrete just yet. Imai’s market may move slowly due to the amount of potential suitors, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he doesn’t sign until 2026 with his new MLB club, whether that is the Cubs or not.
Trades?
According to reports from Jesse Rogers on Tuesday, the Cubs are one of three teams that continue to come up in rumors regarding trades. The Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego Padres are all teams considered to be in the market and close to making a trade.
Purely speculating, my guess is that the trade would be for a starting pitcher. We know the Cubs were in on Mackenzie Gore at the trade deadline and Joe Ryan, but the prices were too high. Now that the offseason is here, there may be a world where the price is more manageable in the eyes of the Cubs. Also, don’t be surprised if Matt Shaw is included in one of these deals, igniting the Cubs’ need to dive deeper into the third base market that they’re already dipping their toe into at this point.
Buckle up, the rumors are always fun.