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.

PLAYER OPTION SALARY
Shota Imanaga (SP, 32) Mutual Option
Andrew Kittredge (RP, 35) $9M club option ($1M buyout)
Colin Rea (RP, 35) $6M club option ($750k buyout
Justin Turner (3B, 40) $10M mutual option ($2M buyout)

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.

PLAYER PROJ. ARB SALARY
Justin Steele (SP, 30) $6.75M
Javier Assad (RP, 28) $2M
Reese McGuire (C, 31) $2M
Eli Morgan (RP, 30) $1.25M

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.

PLAYER CBT SALARY
Dansby Swanson (SS, 32) $25.2M
Ian Happ (OF, 31) $20.3M
Jameson Taillon (SP, 34) $17M
Seiya Suzuki (OF, 31) $17M
Matthew Boyd (SP, 35) $14.5M
Nico Hoerner (2B, 29) $11.6M
Carson Kelly (C, 31) $5.75M

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.

Spotrac's 2026 MLB Offseason Previews