Cubs re-signed LHP Caleb Thielbar to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with a mutual option for 2027.

He’ll get $4 million next season and then the $500,000 if his mutual option isn’t exercised (and it won’t be). Thielbar, who debuted with the Twins in 2013 and went four straight seasons from 2016-19 without making a major league appearance, will be making his highest salary ever at age 39. He had a 2.64 ERA and 25 holds last season in his first year with the Cubs.

Cubs signed LHP Hoby Milner to a one-year, $3.75 million contract.

Milner heads to the Windy City after spending the previous season with the Rangers where he posted a strong 3.84 ERA — 3.39 FIP — and 58/21 K/BB ratio across 70 1/3 innings over 73 appearances. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw has experienced a noticeable decline in both fastball velocity and strikeout percentage last year, but he should remain an effective middle relief option for Chicago on a short-term pact.

Teams have asked about Nico Hoerner in trade conversations with the Cubs, according to The Athletic.

It seems highly unlikely that the Cubs will trade Hoerner, unless it comes after a move to sign Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette. Matt Shaw would seem to be the odd man out in such a scenario, but the Cubs might then be open to trading Hoerner, who is one year away from free agency, and keeping Shaw in the lineup. Hoerner, 28, had a career-high 114 OPS+ last season and won his second Gold Glove at second base. He could also slot in at shortstop on another team.

Cubs signed RHP Collin Snider to a minor league contract.

Snider busted out in 2024, posting a 1.94 ERA and a 47/13 K/BB in 41 2/3 innings for the Mariners, but he showed up with diminished velocity last spring and struggled for two months before going on the IL with a flexor strain. He resumed pitching in mid-July, but the Mariners never activated him, and he cleared waivers before finishing the season in Triple-A. If his stuff comes back, he could be of a lot of help in the Cubs pen.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said at the Winter Meetings that Justin Steele (elbow) will likely return in the first half of next season.

Counsell elaborated that Steele won’t be ready for Opening Day but believes he’ll make it back to Chicago at some point in the first half. The 30-year-old southpaw made just four starts before undergoing season-ending UCL surgery, not a full Tommy John reconstructive procedure, in April. He was able to resume throwing in late October and figures to be ramping up his throwing program by the time spring training rolls around.

Matthew Boyd said Wednesday that he’ll pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

This probably doesn’t thrill the Cubs, given Boyd’s injury history, but since he did put in a full season last year, there’s nothing the team can do about it. Boyd went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and made his first All-Star team in his first season in Chicago.

Cubs signed INF/OF Scott Kingery to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Kingery heads to the Windy City where he’ll compete for a bench role as a versatile utility specialist in spring training. The 31-year-old former top prospect hit .148 (4-for-27) across 19 games with the Angels this past season. It would be an understatement to call his career trajectory underwhelming considering he inked a six-year extension with the Phillies back in 2018 before ever playing in the majors.

The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney reports that the “Cubs are currently projecting regular playing time for” prospect OF Owen Caissie.

At this point, it feels like Kyle Tucker is a long shot to return to the Cubs, so the team will likely replace him by “reallocating resources to different parts of the roster.” Mooney suggests that Seiya Suzuki will play more right field, and the Cubs will use much of the extra money to bolster their rotation, which means young hitters Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros will get a chance “to develop and improve at the major-league level.” As of now, Caissie, a top 100 prospect, appears to have the upper hand after putting together an .887 OPS in Triple-A over the last two seasons. He has more defensive value than Ballesteros, who is more of a DH right now than a 1B/C, but this may come down to a spring training battle between the two.

Cubs signed RHP Phil Maton to a two-year contract with a club option for 2028.

Jon Heyman reported earlier today that Maton is guaranteed $14.5 million. The 32-year-old posted a career-best 2.79 ERA while throwing 60-plus innings for a fifth straight season in 2025. Also important was that his velocity crept back up; his 90.4 mph average on his fastball is well below average, but it’s two mph better than where he was in 2024. He’ll probably work as a setup man in the Cubs pen.

Cubs selected the contract of 2B James Triantos, LHP Riley Martin and 2B Pedro Ramirez from Triple-A Iowa.

Triantos represents the highest-profile prospect the Cubs needed to guard from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old infielder’s stock has taken a hit over the past year, but he still projects as a viable utility infielder at the highest level.

RHP Shota Imanaga accepted the Cubs’ $22.025 million qualifying offer for 2026.

Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer for 2026.

The Cubs could have kept Imanaga for $57 million over three years, but they decided against that. It was kind of surprising they offered him the QO afterwards, but having him back for one year doesn’t seem like a bad thing. It just complicates the idea of making a run at Dylan Cease, Michael King or another top starter. As is, the Cubs’ rotation consists of Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton and Imanaga, with Colin Rea likely filling in until Justin Steele returns from elbow surgery.

Cubs agreed to terms with RHP Colin Rea on a one-year contract with a club option for 2027.

Rea is guaranteed $6.5 million and will make $13 million if the option is exercised. Much like last season, Rea will probably go into the spring penciled in as a middle reliever. However, he wound up making 27 starts and just five relief appearances in 2025, amassing a 3.95 ERA in the process.

According to MLBTR’s Steve Adams, the Cubs and Colin Rea are in agreement on a new deal for 2026 that includes a club option for 2027.

The Cubs had a $6 million option to keep Rea for 2026, but the new deal will guarantee him $6.5 million and will be worth $13 million if the Cubs end up exercising the option for 2027. Rea, 35, went 11-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 27 starts and five relief appearances for the Cubs last season.

Caleb Horton, Drake Baldwin and Caleb Durbin were named finalists for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Horton enters as the heavy favorite after emerging as one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers in the second half, posting a dazzling 1.03 ERA across 61 1/3 innings over 12 starts. Baldwin would be a worthy choice in most years after cementing himself as Atlanta’s catcher of both the present and future during an impressive full-season debut, slugging 19 homers across 124 games. Durbin’s inclusion comes as a mild surprise over unheralded Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile, who posted an .845 OPS with 35 extra-base hits over 91 contests. Nationals center fielder Dylan Crews and Dodgers starer-turned-postseason closer Roki Sasaki entered the year as preseason favorites, but both missed most of the campaign due to injury. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 10.

Pete Crow-Armstrong claimed his first Gold Glove in balloting results announced Sunday.

Crow-Armstong (center field), Ian Happ (left field) and Nico Hoerner (second base) made it three Gold Glove winners for the Cubs. Also chosen were Logan Webb (pitcher), Patrick Bailey (catcher), Matt Olson (first base), Ke’Bryan Hayes (third base), Masyn Winn (shortstop), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field) and Javier Sanoja (utilityman). Those seem like all of the right choices for the most part, though we’re once again seeing there’s just no reason for there to be a utilityman Gold Glove handed out every year.

Cubs INF prospect Cole Mathis went 2-for-4 with two walks, a home run, and five RBI in Arizona Fall League action on Tuesday.

The 54th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Mathis tore his ACL at the end of the 2024 season and only played in 29 games in High-A this season. However, the 22-year-old has looked good in Arizona, going 12-for-33 (.364) with two home runs, 14 RBI, and a 7/6/ K/BB ratio in 10 games. He was a two-way player in college, but will play either corner infield spot as he rises through the Cubs’ minor league system.

Justin Steele, who had his UCL repaired in April, resumed throwing on Monday.

Steele, a 2023 All-Star, was limited to just four starts this year before needing his ligament fixed up. He probably won’t be ready for Opening Day, but since it wasn’t a full Tommy John, he should be ready to go at some point during the first half of 2026, maybe even the first couple of months.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Dodgers are expected to pursue Kyle Tucker in free agency this winter.

It’s not a surprise, as Tucker is one of — if not the — top overall option available on the open market this winter. The Dodgers consider their outfield to be an area of need, at least relative to their completely stacked roster, so the two sides linking up would seem to make a great deal of sense. If the 28-year-old outfielder is serious about winning, joining a team that has been to two straight World Series while winning at least one of them, seems like a tremendous opportunity.

Kevin Alcantara underwent sports hernia surgery on Thursday.

Alcantara should be ready to go in the spring. The Cubs used up their third option year on Alcantara this season, but they’ll probably be awarded a fourth since he received only very limited action prior to 2022. If Kyle Tucker walks, the Cubs could leave a lineup spot open for Alcantara, Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros to battle for in the spring. Alcantara would likely be the underdog there, though.

Cade Horton would have been on the Cubs’ NLCS roster had the team advanced, POBO Jed Hoyer said Wednesday.

Good to know. Horton was trying to make it back from a rib fracture suffered during his Sept. 23 start. The Rookie of the Year candidate might have been a difference maker in the NLDS against the Brewers. He’s a certainty for the Cubs’ 2026 rotation, which also figures to include Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga (assuming that his option is picked up) and, eventually, Justin Steele.

Brad Keller is interested in re-signing with the Cubs, reports The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney.

Keller will have plenty of suitors and a healthy market this offseason after blossoming into a dominant high-leverage arm for the Cubs this past season, compiling a sparkling 2.07 ERA and 75/22 K/BB ratio across 69 2/3 innings over 68 appearances. The 30-year-old impending free agent, who made some mechanical tweaks this past season to unlock some additional velocity, will have plenty of fantasy appeal in drafts next spring, especially if he ends up back in Chicago to compete with Daniel Palencia for save chances or winds up elsewhere with a clear path to a ninth-inning role.

Kyle Tucker said he’s not sure if he will re-sign with the Cubs this offseason.

“We’ll see,” said Tucker when asked about potentially staying in Chicago following Saturday’s season-ending loss to the Brewers in the NLDS. The impending free agent wrapped up his Cubs debut slashing .266/.377/.464 with 91 runs scored, 22 homers, 73 RBI and 25 stolen bases over 136 games. He played through a hairline fracture in his right hand after being diagnosed with the injury back in June, which played a significant role in his second-half slump at the plate. It makes sense for the 28-year-old corner outfielder to test the open market since he’ll be one of the offseason’s most coveted free agents despite a bit of a checkered injury history the past two seasons. He’ll be an early-round selection in all fantasy drafts next spring regardless of where he ends up.

Colin Rea allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings as the Cubs’ bulk guy in Game 5 against the Brewers.

Rea got the call over Shota Imanaga, which was something the Cubs kind of signaled by going with the lefty opener in Drew Pomeranz; it wouldn’t have made much sense to follow a left-hander with another southpaw. Rea pitched scoreless second and third innings before giving up a homer to Andrew Vaughn with two outs in the fourth. He stayed in after that and gave up two singles and a walk to load the bases, but Daniel Palencia bailed him out at that point.

Dansby Swanson went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and committed an error at shortstop in the Game 5 loss to the Brewers.

Swanson wound up 2-for-17 with no RBI and nine strikeouts in the NLDS and 4-for-26 with one RBI and 15 strikeouts between his two postseason series this year. That’s a tough way to end another fine season in which he went 20/20 for the first time and finished with a 105 OPS+ that’s several points better than his career mark of 96.

The Cubs are sticking with the same lineups they used in Games 3 & 4 in Saturday’s NLDS finale against the Brewers.

The Cubs have made only two lineup changes all series, dropping Ian Happ from third to fifth after Game 1 and initially using Justin Turner over Michael Busch against a left-handed opener in Game 3. Tonight’s lineup: Busch (1B), Nico Hoerner (2B), Kyle Tucker (DH), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Happ (LF), Carson Kelly (C), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Dansby Swanson (SS) and Matt Shaw (3B).

Drew Pomeranz will start Game 5 of the NLDS against the Cubs.

Pomeranz gets the nod to open Saturday night’s series-deciding matchup in Milwaukee. The 36-year-old lefty has yet to allow a run in five innings this postseason and will face the top of the Brewers lineup to kick off an all-hands-on-deck scramble for the Cubs as they try to come all the way back to win the best-of-five series after dropping the first two contests.

Ian Happ launched a three-run homer to lead the Cubs to a 6-0 win over the Brewers in Game 4 of the NLDS.

Happ snapped out of a prolonged postseason slump with a no-doubter to right field against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta with two outs in the opening frame to give the Cubs an early advantage. He had been 4-for-36 against Peralta in his career prior to the round-tripper. It was one of the biggest moments of his career and set the tone for a potential series-turning victory as Chicago forces a winner-take-all Game 5 showdown on Saturday in Milwaukee after dropping the first two contests of the best-of-five series.

Kyle Tucker went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two walks in Thursday’s Game 4 win over the Brewers.

Tucker’s first big fly of the postseason came off Brewers reliever Robert Gasser and gave Chicago a commanding five-run advantage in the late stages of the contest. The 28-year-old fantasy force has notched back-to-back multi-hit efforts after reaching base safely in four of his five plate appearances in this one.

Matthew Boyd tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in Thursday’s Game 4 victory over the Brewers.

It was a remarkable bounce-back performance from Boyd, who managed to work into the fifth inning of a do-or-die affair for the Cubs after allowing just two runs in the opening contest of the best-of-five series. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw struck out six and allowed just two hits and three walks in this one as he and four relievers — Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar — combined on a three-hit shutout at Wrigley Field to keep Chicago’s postseason hopes alive.