Cubs pitching prospect Dominick Reid, a 2025 third-round pick, left his Arizona Fall League start for Mesa before finishing the second inning, exiting with a trainer mid-at-bat. No injury details yet, and the Cubs rarely share minor-league updates. 🩺
Former Cubs pitcher Michael Soroka declined his 2027 option with Arizona and hits free agency after a 9-5, 3.41 ERA season. Meanwhile, Imanaga, Boyd, Suzuki, Happ and Conforto have also gone to market after the Cubs' Wild Card sweep by San Diego. 📉
Hypothetical offseason trade ideas, not real deals: the Cubs could chase Brewers closer Trevor Megill with a young arm like Jaxon Wiggins or Cade Townsend, Reds lefty Nick Lodolo for mid-level talent, and Cardinals' Alec Burleson with Kevin Alcantara as a possible starting point.
Matthew Boyd is a free agent after declining his side of a $15M mutual option and taking a $2M buyout. The lefty posted a 3.91 ERA over 126 2/3 innings in 2026, though his strikeout rate slipped to 18.5%. Cubs keep a short window to bring him back. 🔍
Jim Bowden floats Tyler Stephenson as a possible Cubs fallback if Carson Kelly leaves in free agency, projecting a two-year, $16M deal. Stephenson hit .727 OPS with 2.5 bWAR and has first-base experience. Still speculation, with Kelly reportedly the preference. 🧢
A Sportsnaut column projects the Cubs could trade for Rangers lefty MacKenzie Gore, 27, who is under control through 2027. He posted a 4.58 ERA over 173 innings in 2026. It's speculation, but a thin rotation and a Jed Hoyer pitching focus make the fit plausible. ⚾
Cubs re-signed righty Gabe Klobosits to a new minor league deal. He posted a 3.51 ERA and 26.9% strikeout rate in 33 1/3 innings at Triple-A Iowa, though a 13.8% walk rate and a stint on the injured list kept him off the big club. Depth, re-upped. 🔄
David Peterson, acquired from the Mets in a midseason trade, is now officially a free agent and can sign with any team this winter. His Cubs run ends right after a Wild Card Series sweep by the Padres. Short tenure, quick exit. 🚪
Cubs reportedly interested in Taiwanese reliever Jyun-Yue Tseng, 24, who filed for free agency after a 1.57 ERA and 25 saves for Fubon. Any deal would likely be a minor league pact, and nothing is confirmed. Fastball near 98 mph, 5-foot-8 frame. 🔥
Wrigley's All-Star prep is underway: a $32M+ security overhaul, with the Cubs covering $8M. Bollards, moved light poles and a wider Addison sidewalk are due by April, lockout worries aside. The Friendly Confines is getting fortified for 2027. 🔒
Cubs' 2026 defense set Statcast-era single-season records, with +72 fielding run value and +72 outs above average. Crow-Armstrong, Bregman, Happ, Suzuki and Swanson are Gold Glove contenders, and PCA's game-ending catch in St. Louis tops one highlight list. 🧤
Daniel Palencia's 2027 return to form is pivotal for the Cubs' bullpen, but far from guaranteed. Injuries limited him to 32 appearances this year, and opponents hit .500 against his splitter. A reliable third pitch would help. 🔧
Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd are opting for free agency, leaving the Cubs' rotation barren, and Jed Hoyer says pitching is the offseason priority. John Mallee is staying on staff, and a healthy Daniel Palencia could anchor the 2027 bullpen. 🔧
A ranking of the 25 biggest Cubs killers has Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies at No. 25. He's hit .357/.412/.638 with 12 homers in 49 games against Chicago since 2017, and at 29 he's still adding to the file. 😬
Cubs reportedly have interest in Taiwanese closer Jyun-Yue Tseng, offering a possible minor league deal with a spring training invite, per Taiwan reports. The 24-year-old posted a 1.57 ERA and 25 saves for Fubon in 2026. Nothing is official. ⚾
Carson Kelly reportedly declined his $7.5M option for 2027, taking a $1.5M buyout and hitting free agency. Cubs' primary catcher in 2026 (120 starts) posted a .712 OPS, and .871 against lefties. Miguel Amaya now looks like the lone catcher in the building. 🧢
Cubs missed on Dylan Cease (7 years, $210M with Toronto) and bet on Edward Cabrera instead. Cabrera managed 80 innings with a 5.96 ERA, while Cease posted a 2.40 ERA over 169 innings. The lesson: avoiding big pitcher deals carries its own risk. 🎯
Transaction Alert: C Carson Kelly has elected free agency and is now a free agent. The Chicago Cubs will monitor the situation. 📋
Transaction Alert: LHP Matthew Boyd has elected free agency and is now a free agent. The team will monitor potential opportunities moving forward. 📋
Michael Conforto elected free agency on Oct. 29, ending his run with the Cubs. He hit .240 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 113 games after signing a minor league deal in February. He's now open to any team. 📝
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