I know that the big league moves draw most of the attention - and, for good reason, since they are designed to generate most of the big league impact - but I have been very pleased by the Chicago Cubs' front office continuing to supplement deeper within the organization throughout December and January. Plenty of reclamation pitching signings, as always, and a number of more development-inclined pitcher signings, too.
After missing the 2023 WBC, Seiya Suzuki will play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/Zyc7CL8tuy - Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) January 26, 2026 Suzuki missed the 2023 WBC due to an oblique injury, but he is healthy and available this time around. Team Japan honored Suzuki during the last tournament, even hanging his jersey in the dugout. When they won, the team brought his jersey onto the field so he could be part of the celebration.
As I await the coming of NFL playoff games and try to find more work that doesn't suck (or at least helps pay bills), I ponder the news bits that have come along recently. I don't think any of the starters are supplanted barring Spring Training mishaps, whether in the lineup or the pitching rotation. However, the recent signing of Chas McCormick and the random lurking of a Dylan Carlson around Cubs camp
Relief pitcher Daniel Palencia will pitch for Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, his agency announced Tuesday. Palencia had an interesting year with the Cubs. He recorded 22 saves during the regular season, but his usage changed drastically in the playoffs. Instead of remaining in the bullpen until the ninth inning, Craig Counsell used him earlier in games.
Ríos is a 32-year-old righty who has logged parts of six seasons in the majors. The Puerto Rico native got the majority of his work early in his career as a member of the Phillies. He saw more limited action with the Pirates, Mariners, Red Sox and Athletics between 2019-23. Ríos has spent the last two seasons in the Mets organization without getting a look at the MLB level.
The Cubs have completely rebuilt their bullpen after saying goodbye to 2025 stalwarts Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz, adding Maton, Hunter and Milner. But their biggest addition comes at third base, where Bregman takes over for Matt Shaw. Shaw showed promise in the second half as a rookie, but he's not Bregman, who brings leadership and championship experience to the mix to go along with his hitting prowess.
Beede, 33 in May, has had a uniquely winding career but is not coming off a good year. He signed a minor league deal with the Twins in April of 2025. He made seven appearances for Triple-A St. Paul but allowed eight earned runs in nine innings via 12 hits and nine walks while striking out seven opponents. He was released in June and then landed a deal with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.
The Cubs were able to avoid arbitration hearings with all of their eligible players this season, reaching agreements with Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, and Javier Assad. Assad was the last to be reported, but both sides reached a deal before the day ended. Maddie Lee of the Sun-Times was first to report that Assad will earn $1.8 million in 2026, which is just $100,000 less than MLB Trade Rumors projected. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com also reported that Assad's deal includes a team option for the 2027 season.
Arbitration filing deadline: Today is a big day on MLB's offseason calendar, as Thursday marks the deadline for teams and players to exchange figures ahead of salary arbitration. Most of those cases will end in the two parties settling on a salary to avoid arbitration, but any team that still has unsigned players after today will be scheduled for a hearing in front of a three-person arbitration panel.
Someone must have smeared Gorilla Glue on all the seats in the Cubs' office building, because it appears all the execs have remained on their asses for the last several days. While I'm sure Jed Hoyer and his crew are indeed putting in work, they've got little to show for it beyond a handful of relievers and a returning expat bench bat.
The Cubs have very few players under contract past 2026 and 2027, which means the next few winters could be quite busy. Just a few years ago, the team had one of the best farm systems in baseball. Those players are now reaching the major leagues, which could prove to be pivotal as Jed Hoyer looks to construct the next great Cubs team.
As first reported by ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have re-signed lefty reliever Caleb Thielbar. The southpaw pitched well over 58 innings across 67 appearances, posting a 2.64 ERA and striking out four times as many batters as he walked. Thielbar also did a very good job of keeping the ball in the park, surrendering only five home runs all season.
