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Cubs 2025 Free Agents, Trade Targets, Offseason Guide After NLDS Loss
The Chicago Cubs looked like one of the elite teams in the National League and a serious World Series contender for much of the 2025 season, but ultimately fell short of a title push in their first trip to the playoffs since 2020.
However, there is reason to believe they can be right back in the postseason in 2026 with some roster tinkering this offseason.
The biggest immediate question is whether Kyle Tucker will return in free agency, though rising prospect Owen Caissie and designated hitter Seiya Suzuki give the club a pair of in-house replacement candidates if he does walk.
The focus could instead be on landing an impact starting pitcher to join a rotation that finished eighth in the majors with a 3.83 ERA but lacked a bona fide ace, with Matthew Boyd earning an All-Star nod before falling off in the second half and rookie Cade Horton coming on strong down the stretch before landing on the injured list.
Rebuilding a bullpen set to lose multiple free agents and shoring up the bench unit are also items on the offseason to-do list, and there is enough returning talent that the front office should be aggressive in pursuing potential upgrades for another playoff push in 2026.
Free Agents
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OF Kyle Tucker (28): Turned in another terrific season, despite missing time to injury in the second half, posting a 143 OPS+ with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, 25 steals and 4.5 WAR in 136 games. Expected to be the most sought after player on the market this winter and could get a contract north of $400 million.
RP Brad Keller (30): Earned a roster spot on a minor league deal during spring training and ended up being one of the team's most reliable relievers, posting a 2.07 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 with 25 holds in 68 appearances. His age and pristine 2.94 FIP make him a candidate for a multi-year deal.
RP Caleb Thielbar (38): Longtime Twins reliever signed a modest one-year, $2.75 million deal last offseason and tied for the team lead with 25 holds while posting a 2.64 ERA over 67 appearances. Age will limit him to another one-year deal, but solid underlying metrics back up his surface-level numbers.
RP Drew Pomeranz (36): Pitched in the big leagues for the first time since 2021 after he was acquired from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations in April. Made 26 appearances before allowing his first earned run of the season, en route to a 2.17 ERA and 10.3 K/9 in 57 games.
UT Willi Castro (28): A useful utility player who was an All-Star in 2024 and had a 104 OPS+ in 344 plate appearances prior to being acquired from the Twins at the deadline. Hit just .170/.245/.240 in 110 plate appearances with the Cubs and will likely be able to find more playing time elsewhere.
RP Taylor Rogers (34): A former All-Star with two 30-save seasons during his time with the Twins, now a veteran lefty middle reliever. Had a 3.38 ERA in 57 appearances on the year, but struggled to a 5.09 ERA in 17 games with the Cubs after he was acquired at the deadline.
SP/RP Mike Soroka (28): Pitched well enough in the Nationals rotation to be a trade chip at the deadline, but lasted just two innings in his first start with the Cubs before landing on the injured list with a shoulder strain. Finished with a 4.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 95 strikeouts in 89.2 innings, and could get something similar to the one-year, $9 million deal he inked last winter.
1B Carlos Santana (39): Scrapheap pickup for the stretch run after he was released by the Guardians, went 2-for-19 in limited action with the Cubs. Good chance he's headed for retirement, but might be able to catch on somewhere on a minor league deal.
RP Ryan Brasier (38): Acquired from the Dodgers in an offseason trade and posted a 4.50 ERA in 28 appearances before suffering a groin strain on Aug. 21 that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Will likely need to earn his spot with a minor league deal.
Contract Option Decisions
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SP Shota Imanaga (Club Extension Option): Imanaga has a uniquely structured contract that allows the Cubs to exercise an option this winter that triggers a three-year, $57 million extension through 2028. If they decline, it becomes a $16 million player option for 2026, but it should be a no-brainer to bring him back at that price.
RP Andrew Kittredge (Club Option): Kittredge has a $9 million club option for next season that stands a good chance of being exercised, considering Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Caleb Thielbar are all set to depart in free agency. The 35-year-old had a 3.32 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13.3 K/9 with five saves and eight holds in 23 games after he was acquired from the Orioles at the deadline.
SP Colin Rea (Player Option): Rea finished second on the Cubs roster in innings pitched this season, going 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 159.1 frames. He should be able to do better than his $6 million player option on the open market, especially if he's not guaranteed a spot in the 2026 rotation once Justin Steele returns to action.
1B Justin Turner (Mutual Option): A good veteran presence in the clubhouse who hit .276/.330/.429 in 109 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, the club will almost certainly decline its end of a $10 million mutual option.
Biggest Needs
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Starting Pitcher: Cade Horton will return next year looking to build off a breakthrough rookie campaign, while Jameson Taillon ($18 million) and Matthew Boyd ($17 million) each have one year remaining on their contracts. Barring a surprise decision to decline their extension option on Shota Imanaga, he will also return to the rotation. That leaves one open spot to fill, at least until Justin Steele returns from elbow surgery and assuming Colin Rea declines his player option. This is where the Cubs could really look to make a splash.
Multiple Relievers: With Brad Keller (68 games), Caleb Thielbar (67 games), Drew Pomeranz (57 games), Ryan Brasier (28 games) and Taylor Rogers (17 games) all departing in free agency, the Cubs have a lot of work to do rebuilding their bullpen around breakout closer Daniel Palencia and veteran Andrew Kittredge, assuming they exercise his club option.
Bench Depth: Veterans Justin Turner and Willi Castro occupied two spots on the Cubs bench down the stretch and will depart in free agency, while the team didn't really use a fourth outfielder since Seiya Suzuki was the primary designated hitter. They definitely have backup catcher covered with Reese McGuire, Miguel Amaya and Moises Ballesteros all returning behind Carson Kelly, but could otherwise look for all new faces on the bench.
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Free Agent Targets
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Expect the Cubs to be active players at the top of the starting pitching market, which includes Ranger Suárez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, Framber Valdez, Brandon Woodruff, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
The fact that Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd both come off the books after 2026 could help pave the way for a back-loaded, long-term deal for one of those top-tier arms.
Upgrading the bullpen will be a much more involved process, and while they don't necessarily need to splurge on an expensive closer with Daniel Palencia looking the part, they would be wise to add at least one or two proven late-inning options alongside several low-cost fliers similar to their approach last offseason.
Michael Kopech, Kyle Finnegan, Seranthony Domínguez, Gregory Soto, Phil Maton, Danny Coulombe and Luke Weaver are among the names to keep an eye on, while guys like Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagán and Kenley Jansen might prefer a landing spot where they are guaranteed an opportunity to close games.
Finally, looking at the bench candidates, Wilmer Flores is a lefty masher who could be a great fit as a platoon partner for Michael Busch at first base, while Jose Iglesias, Luis Rengifo, Amed Rosario and Miguel Rojas are candidates to fill a utility infield spot. Buying low on someone like Lane Thomas or Hunter Renfroe makes sense if Kyle Tucker walks and they decide to go in-house to address right field.
Trade Targets
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If the Cubs make a major trade, it will be to land a controllable starting pitcher, pulling from their prospect depth to add a piece who can help improve the top of the rotation in 2026.
Who could potentially be available this winter?
After their trade deadline fire sale, two obvious potential targets are Pablo López and Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins. López has two years and $43.5 million remaining on his contract, while Ryan has two years of arbitration control remaining after earning $3 million in 2025.
Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) and Mitch Keller (Pirates) will likely be at the center of trade rumors again this offseason after both heard their names mentioned frequently leading up to the July trade deadline.
Left-hander MacKenzie Gore (Nationals) was seemingly at the top of the club's trade deadline wish list, and he also comes with two years of arbitration control, so profiles as a similar target to Ryan in terms of what it will likely take to acquire him.
There's a good chance all five of those pitchers will be playing elsewhere in 2026, it's just a matter of how seriously the Cubs dive into the trade market.
Projected 2025 Opening Day Roster
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Starting Lineup
C Cason Kelly
1B Michael Busch
2B Nico Hoerner
3B Matt Shaw
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ian Happ
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
RF Owen Caissie (R)
DH Seiya Suzuki
Bench
C Miguel Amaya
1B/DH Wilmer Flores
IF Amed Rosario
OF Lane Thomas
If the Cubs are unable to re-sign Kyle Tucker, there's a good chance they will either opt for a spring position battle between prospects Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcántara, or simply return Seiya Suzuki to the everyday right field job, despite his defensive shortcomings.
That leaves the bench as the most likely area to address on the position player side of things. A right-handed hitting platoon partner for first baseman Michael Busch to fill the Justin Turner role, a backup infielder who provides versatility and a buy-low outfielder to compete with the youngsters for playing time are the boxes they could logically look to check.
Starting Rotation
RHP Joe Ryan
RHP Cade Horton
LHP Shota Imanaga
RHP Jameson Taillon
LHP Matthew Boyd (L)
Bullpen
LHP Jordan Wicks
RHP Javier Assad
LHP Luke Little (R)
RHP Porter Hodge
LHP Danny Coulombe
RHP Michael Kopech
RHP Andrew Kittredge
RHP Daniel Palencia
If the Cubs are going to make a splash this offseason, it's going to be for an upgrade in the starting rotation, and ideally one who can fit at the front of the staff. They could try to get by until Justin Steele returns with one of their unproven young arms, but they also have the trade chips to make a blockbuster deal.
The bullpen is losing a lot of veteran talent, and they will likely take a similar approach to last offseason when they cast a wide net and signed multiple veterans to minor league deals.
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