With spring training just around the corner, the Chicago Cubs are gearing up for what could be their most promising season in years. After a 92-win campaign that ended just one game shy of the NLCS, the front office didn’t sit back.
Jed Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins went to work-and the results speak for themselves. This winter, the Cubs didn’t just make moves; they made a statement.
Let’s start with the headliners: Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera. Bregman’s $35 million-per-year deal isn’t just the largest annual salary in franchise history-it’s a signal.
For a team that’s been criticized in recent years for holding back on big spending, this is a return to form. The Cubs are acting like a team with championship aspirations again.
And Bregman? He brings a veteran presence, postseason experience, and a bat that can change games.
It’s the most impactful signing the Cubs have made since the days of Jon Lester and Jason Heyward.
Then there’s Cabrera, a high-upside arm who adds depth and electricity to a rotation that already showed promise last season. His addition gives the Cubs more than just another starter-it gives them another potential difference-maker on the mound.
But Hoyer didn’t stop there. The bullpen, which saw several key arms hit free agency-including Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz, and Caleb Thielbar-has been retooled with a mix of savvy veteran signings and upside plays.
Thielbar is back in the fold, and the Cubs added Hunter Harvey, Hoby Milner, Phil Maton, and Jacob Webb to the mix. It’s a group that may not have a household name, but it’s built with depth and versatility in mind-two traits that defined last year’s late-season push.
The bench, too, looks significantly stronger. Tyler Austin returns stateside after a stint in Japan and brings some pop to the roster.
Young talents like Miguel Amaya, Kevin Alcantara, and Matt Shaw round out a group that offers more flexibility and upside than last year’s version. That depth could prove crucial for new manager Craig Counsell, who’s known for maximizing matchups and keeping his lineup fresh across the grind of a 162-game season.
And while the closer role might still be a question mark, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t the most complete offseason of Hoyer’s tenure. From top-end talent to roster depth, the Cubs checked nearly every box.
Even national voices are taking notice. ESPN’s Jeff Passan named the Cubs one of the biggest winners of the offseason, placing them alongside the Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates, White Sox, and Dodgers. And perhaps just as sweet for Cubs fans-he called out the rival Brewers as a team still needing to make a significant move.
For the first time in a while, the Cubs are entering spring training not just with hope, but with expectations. The pieces are in place.
The payroll is at an all-time high. And the North Side is buzzing again.
The chase for a division crown-and more-is officially on.