The Cubs’ offseason was eclipsed by the White Sox earlier this week, when the South Siders signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal and held a press conference to introduce their newest member.
It was the splashiest move from either Chicago team this winter, inserting a difference-making into the White Sox’ young lineup.
Meanwhile, the Cubs’ moves – other than declining Shota Imanaga’s club options and then signing him to a one-year qualifying offer – have addressed the sparse bullpen and bench.
Some of the contrast between the two teams’ offseason work so far has to do with their respective positions in their competitive cycles. The White Sox simply have more areas where they can upgrade.
A lot of the difference has to do with the timing of the markets. Murakami’s posting window, as he moves from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB, created a deadline for his signing.
The reliever market moved early this offseason, and the Cubs reacted accordingly. Whereas starting pitching, the area where the Cubs have the biggest opportunity to improve, has percolated more slowly.
“We’re not totally in control of some of those elements,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at the winter meetings earlier this month. “We were definitely operating with a lot of energy and a lot of focus. But I can’t say it’s going to result in anything before Christmas. It might, it might not.”
The Cubs haven’t been inactive, but they haven’t improved their roster from last year, or even made up for right fielder Kyle Tucker hitting free agency.
It’s true that it isn’t important when such moves happens this offseason. But if the Cubs hope to make a deeper postseason run this year, it’s vital that they do happen.
So, with New Years coming up, here are some resolutions for the Cubs in service of that goal.
Add a frontline starter
Adding a frontline starter is not a new aim for the Cubs. They famously judged the price to be too steep for at the trade deadline this year – as did the rest of the league, apparently, as the marquee starting pitchers with multiple years of control stayed put.
The Cubs saw firsthand, however, just how important quality starting pitching depth can be in the postseason.
Notable starting pitching signings this offseason include Dylan Cease’s seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays; Michael King’s three-year, $75 million contract with the Padres; and Merrill Kelly’s two-year, $40 million deal with the Diamondbacks
That leaves options available, including one pitcher who is on a tight deadline. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai’s posting window closes on Jan. 2.
If the Cubs decide to go the trade route instead, the Nationals’ McKenzie Gore and the Marlins’ Edward Cabrera are among the starting pitchers who have received general trade buzz.
Extend at least one current player
The Cubs keep touting their financial flexibility beyond 2026, with most of their long-term deals lined up to end after this season. But the flip-side is, having that many expiring contracts means a lot of uncertainty.
Extensions are one way to address that kind of sharp drop-off.
Of the players facing free agency after next season, second baseman Nico Hoener is the youngest. He’ll be in the final year of the three-year extension he signed in 2023. The 28-year-old had the best season of his career in 2025. He was the runner-up for the NL batting title and collected his second gold glove.
Outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are also on expiring contracts and have only played for the Cubs in their MLB careers.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon, Imanaga, left-hander Matthew Boyd (2027 mutual option), and catcher Carson Kelly (2027 mutual option) could also become free agents after this season.
Outside of that category, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong could be a strong extension candidate. The Cubs and Crow-Armstrong’s camp engaged in extension talks last spring but did not settle on terms. Crow-Armstrong, a 2025 All-Star and Gold Glover, is a cornerstone player for the Cubs. He’s under club control through 2030.
Win the division
“You try to get into the playoffs, absolutely,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said at winter meetings earlier this month. “But winning the division gives you that little extra advantage that is obviously still a goal.”
Four out of the six division winners every year get first-round byes. And that gives them valuable time to line up their pitching for the division series and beyond.
The Cubs (92-70) didn’t claim that advantage this year, dropping to the first NL wild-card spot as the Brewers (97-65) put together the best record in the majors.
So, the Cubs have a gap to close. Though the Brewers aren’t expected to make sweeping changes this offseason, they’ve won the division each of the last three seasons. And they improved their record each year, even when they lost key players.