Chicago Cubs Could Consider Making Huge $125 Million Offseason Splash
The Chicago Cubs could be a team to watch for a projected $125 million splash during the MLB offseason.
Apr 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) smiles before a game between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.
In This Story
The Chicago Cubs head into the MLB offseason with quite a few needs at the top of their priority list. After being bounced out of the NLDS by the Milwaukee Brewers, there are some clear areas that Jed Hoyer and the front office will need to improve.
Obviously, the first thing on the offseason priority list is figuring out what to do with Kyle Tucker. Could the Cubs bring him back? Will he leave the team to sign elsewhere?
Once that question is answered, Chicago will be able to figure out what to do next.
At this point in time, it seems more likely that Tucker will not be back with the Cubs in 2026. That could change, but he’s going to command a lot of money and Chicago might not be willing to pay him what he’s looking to receive.
Should he leave, the Cubs could opt to spend big on a free agent or two.
Adding more starting pitching could be a priority this offseason. How about pursuing a top-tier starter like Dylan Cease?
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has predicted that Cease will sign a five-year, $125 million contract in free agency. That is a pretty penny, but Chicago might be open to the idea.
Throughout the course of the 2025 MLB season with the San Diego Padres, Cease made 32 starts. He compiled an 8-12 record to go along with a 4.55 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, a 3.0 K/BB ratio, and he completed 168 innings of work.
Cease is currently 29 years old. If the Cubs were to sign him to a four or five-year deal, he could be a valuable piece of the rotation for years to come.
Expect to hear a lot of rumors surrounding Chicago as the offseason gets underway. Hoyer and the franchise leadership haven’t shown a lot of aggressiveness in recent years. After being so close to making a run at a World Series appearance, the Cubs might just be willing to spend a bit more this time around.
It will be interesting to see what Chicago chooses to do this offseason. Cease could be a very intriguing option for the franchise to fill an obvious issue that the Cubs had in 2025.
Yankees predicted to reunite with $80M MVP, World Series champion, 2-time All-Star veteran
The New York Yankees just got some good news during what has been a difficult stretch since the end of the season. This year, the Yankees simply didn’t have it, and their struggles became glaringly obvious during the playoffs. However, there was finally a positive development regarding Aaron Judge’s injury status.
“If Judge had required Tommy John surgery or some other significant elbow operation, that would have had lingering impacts into the 2026 season, though it seems Judge will be expected to be a full-time outfielder again next year. That should allow the Yankees to go into 2026 planning on having Judge in right and Stanton in the DH slot,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald wrote.
On the downside, versatile veteran Cody Bellinger is expected to opt out of his contract, officially sending him into free agency.
“As expected, New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger plans to opt out of his contract and become a free agent next month, a source told ESPN. Bellinger, 30, has a $25 million player option for next season. After a rebound season in his first year in pinstripes, he presumably will receive widespread interest in free agency -- it should yield a lucrative multi-year contract,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.
The good news for the Yankees is that Bellinger returning on a new deal remains a strong possibility.
“The trade to the Bronx was maybe the best thing to happen to Bellinger, with the slugger hitting 29 home runs and slashing .272/.334/.480 with an .813 OPS. His 5.0 bWAR was the best he’s posted since his MVP season in 2019. He’ll almost surely opt out of his contract to become a free agent where teams will pursue the 30-year-old, but a reunion with the Yankees should remain in play,” FanSided’s Robert Murray wrote.
Re-signing Bellinger would be a major win for the Yankees. He’s proven to be a valuable, versatile player who brings both production and leadership to the clubhouse.
Bellinger is also one of the game’s most selfless and underrated stars. A reunion in the Bronx would be a move that makes sense for both sides.
