Cubs Set Their Sights on Free Agency with Ambitious Trade Goals
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the Chicago Cubs are preparing to make significant moves in free agency, determined to solidify their roster for the 2026 season. With management emphasizing that bolstering the pitching staff is their top priority, the team is poised to explore promising signings that could reshape their competitive landscape for the upcoming season and beyond.
Targeting Sandy Alcantara for a Blockbuster Trade
A key storyline emerging from recent discussions is the Cubs’ potential interest in acquiring Sandy Alcantara, the ace pitcher of the Miami Marlins. During a November 25 segment on Marquee Sports Network, Bruce Levine highlighted Alcantara as a prime trade target, noting, “So I’m looking for a big trade for a guy that’s making $17 million in 2026, possibly $21 million in 2027. That’s Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.”
Levine expressed enthusiasm over Alcantara’s resurgence at the end of the previous season, suggesting that pairing him with young star Cade Horton could form a formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation. “Putting him and Horton as your one and two, and having three veterans backing that up, to me, that’s a championship-caliber rotation,” he added. Alcantara, who captured the Cy Young Award in 2022, demonstrated his elite capabilities once more as the season concluded, making a trade for him an intriguing possibility.
Dylan Cease Off the Market
In the midst of the Cubs’ pursuit of pitching talent, they were also linked to Dylan Cease, who many considered a fitting addition to their roster. However, those hopes were dashed when Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Cease had signed a lucrative seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. This development has left the Cubs searching for other viable options to enhance their pitching staff.
Tatsuya Imai’s Unconventional Preferences
As the Cubs navigate the free agency landscape, they may encounter challenges with certain targets. Tatsuya Imai, a promising pitcher, has expressed a surprising reluctance to join a team like the Cubs, citing a desire to avoid fellow Japanese players. “If there were a Japanese player, they’d be able to tell me anything I asked, right? But that’s not what I’m looking forward to. I’d rather experience a sense of survival, or, when faced with cultural differences, how do I overcome them on my own? That’s one of the things I enjoy,” Imai mentioned, revealing his unique perspective on the transition to Major League Baseball.
Cubs Stars Benefit from Pre-Arbitration Bonuses
In positive news for the franchise, three Cubs players recently earned substantial bonuses from the MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool, recognizing their contributions to the team’s efforts last season. These financial rewards not only reflect the players’ on-field performances but also enhance the organizational morale as the Cubs gear up for the challenges ahead.
As the Cubs dive into this free agency frenzy, all eyes will be on their strategic moves, particularly regarding potential trades and signings that could redefine the team’s trajectory in the coming years.
