Cubs player development director Jason Kanzler is reportedly a finalist for the Mariners' managerial job, with an in-person interview this week. Joe Espada is the other finalist. Kanzler has no managing experience, so Espada may hold the edge. 🔍
Cubs enter the offseason with arguably MLB's best position player core (Bregman, Hoerner, Crow-Armstrong, Swanson locked in), so the focus is rebuilding the pitching staff. Holmes is expected to opt out, and Suzuki, Happ and Imanaga hit free agency. ⚾
Astros released ex-Cubs outfielder Nelson Velázquez, 27, who is expected to pursue a chance in Asia. He hit .188/.257/.406 with six homers in 2026 and struck out over 33% of the time, the same issue that kept him from sticking in Chicago. ⚾
Seiya Suzuki's best MLB season (.270/.368/.473, 26 HR, 86 RBI, 131 OPS+) leads into free agency, and Jim Bowden projects five years, $120M, naming only Toronto and Philadelphia as fits. The Cubs aren't on the list, and their luxury-tax payroll looms. 💰
Seiya Suzuki heads to free agency after his best season (.270/.368/.473, 26 HR, 131 OPS+). Jim Bowden projects a five-year, $120M deal, but lists only the Blue Jays and Phillies as top fits, not the Cubs. Reunion looks like a long shot. 📉
White Sox are parting ways with TV voice John Schriffen and starting a nationwide search. That could revive speculation about Cubs radio voice Zach Zaidman leaving, a move some fans would welcome as Pat Hughes, 72 in May, calls fewer games. 📻
Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer links the Cubs to Rangers ace Jacob deGrom, a trade idea only. Gausman, Holmes and Imanaga are all expected to leave, so Jed Hoyer needs arms. deGrom's no-trade clause and $37M for 2027 complicate it. 🎯
The Red Sox are reportedly "big fans" of free-agent outfielder Seiya Suzuki, and Craig Breslow, who was in the Cubs' front office when Suzuki signed in 2022, now runs Boston's baseball operations. 🔎 With the Blue Jays also expected to pursue him, Chicago faces a pricey bidding war.
Pete Crow-Armstrong headlines the Cubs' awards push: a 45-homer, 41-steal season puts him in the NL MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger mix. Chicago has five Gold Glove contenders and five All-MLB Team nominees. 🏆
Speculation only: if the Cubs re-sign Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya could become a trade chip. Reds, Giants, Pirates and Yankees are floated as fits, with Owen Ayers possibly sliding into the backup role. Pitching needs drive the idea.
Cubs history, Oct. 28: Happy birthday, Esmailin Caridad. In 2016, Game 3 of the World Series was the first at Wrigley Field in 71 years. Cleveland won 1-0 on Coco Crisp's pinch-hit RBI single, and Cody Allen struck out Ben Zobrist to end it. 🔙
Could the Cubs trade for Steven Kwan? BCB floats him as a possible target, since Ian Happ and/or Seiya Suzuki may leave in free agency and the corner outfield needs help. Speculation only, but the market is thin. 🤔
Cubs catching prospect Miguel Useche went from indie ball to the Arizona Fall League. In 89 games across South Bend and Double-A Knoxville, he hit .281/.372/.468 with 13 homers and a 122 wRC+. Undrafted, unbothered. 🧢
Tatsuya Imai's Astros deal looks like a dodge for the Cubs: he posted a 4.93 ERA and 6.0 BB/9 over 76 2/3 innings, lost his rotation spot and was scarcely trusted by Joe Espada. With Chicago's pitching needs still pressing, the miss stings less. 🎯
Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler is reportedly one of two Mariners managerial finalists, alongside ex-Astros skipper Joe Espada. Both interview in person this week, and Seattle reportedly wants a pick by week's end. 🔍
Brewers lead the World Series 3-0 and could clinch tonight, but the Cubs' takeaway is that they still have big holes to fill. The NL Central rival's run looks well-timed, though the Cubs should be the division's class. Offseason work awaits. ⏳
Shota Imanaga could reportedly draw interest from other clubs in free agency. Jim Bowden floats the Astros and Giants as fits, plus a Cubs reunion, and projects three years, $69M. The lefty went 11-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 2026, and the split-finger is still elite. ⚾
Jim Bowden ranks Seiya Suzuki No. 6 among this winter's free agents, projecting five years, $120M, with Toronto and Philadelphia as fits. Toronto looks like the favorite, and with pitching a bigger need, a Cubs reunion looks unlikely. 🧳
Cubs are reportedly linked to Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan as a possible Seiya Suzuki replacement if Suzuki isn't re-signed. FanSided floated Chicago as a landing spot, pairing Kwan with Pete Crow-Armstrong for elite outfield defense. Speculation only. 🧤
Hitting coach John Mallee withdrew from the Mets' opening and is staying with the Cubs, so Counsell's 2027 staff looks familiar. Steven Kwan trade chatter cooled: Guardians' Chris Antonetti expects Kwan to be a big part of Cleveland's 2027 team. 🔒
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