The Cubs Offseason Is Already Off To a Bad Start: Here’s Why
The MLB offseason just started, but the Cubs’ offseason is already off to a bad start. Now you might be saying “You’re just overreacting. The offseason just started. It can’t possibly be that bad.” But by the end of this article, you (yes, you) will be feeling sorry for Cubs fans at how bad this offseason is already going. This will be broken down into three main points going from least important (but trust me, the least important is pretty important) to most important.
#3: Mike (probably) ain’t comin’ back
Shōta Imanaga (Mike Imanaga II) is gone. The Cubs didn’t pick up his remaining contract (three-years, $57 million), and that triggered an option for Shōta (1 year, $15 million), but he also declined. The Cubs DID offer him a QO, but I don’t think he’ll accept. I’d give it a 60/40 chance. (60% he doesn’t accept, and 40% he does.) I get that he didn’t have his best season, but he’s always going to be a top 3 pitcher in the rotation. Even if he comes back, I’d almost rather him leave because $22.05 million is (in my opinion) a little much for Shōta. Why would you decline the club option in the first place? It makes no sense. Plus, it might come back to bite the Cubs if he accepts the Qualifying Offer. If he does accept the Qualifying Offer, then the Cubs’ payroll will be more handicapped. This situation was not handled well. Don’t you also want to have a team that appeals to Japanese players? I felt like they really had a chance to do that with Suzuki, and Shōta, but I guess that blew up. Maybe they are saving up for a big free agent, but I very highly doubt it.
#2: Our best reliever got...TRADED?!?!?!?
The Cubs acquired Andrew Kittredge at the deadline from the Orioles, and he was arguably our best reliever. He had a sub 1.00 WHIP, and a sub 3.50 ERA (3.40 ERA). He also pitched 5 games in the playoffs, and he was excellent. Per MLBTR, his 30.8% strikeout rate and 5.3% walk rate each were in the 92nd percentile of all pitchers in 2025, his (almost) 50% (49.2%) groundball rate was far above average, and his 41.6% chase rate was the BEST of ANY PITCHER in baseball. But now they’ve traded him back to the Orioles for cash considerations. So essentially, the Cubs gave up a prospect in the trade at the deadline (Wilfri De La Cruz) to get a few bucks after the season ended?!?! He was getting $10 million a year which, I get is not super cheap, but then you had an option to pick him up for $1 million LESS ($9 million). Again: Maybe they are saving up for a big free agent, but I very highly doubt it.
#1: The Cam scam
For the first time in a while, the best free agent in the 2025-2026 MLB offseason, was on the Cubs right before he became a free agent. This was the Cubs’ chance to keep a superstar on the team. Kyle Tucker was acquired from the Astros for Cam Smith (and more)…in the 2024-2025 MLB offseason. And the Cubs had ALL season to get an extension done, but here we are. (The Cubs just offered him a QO, but he won’t accept. The upside is that they can get a draft pick if they don’t re-sign him.) The problem is that the Cubs are about to lose Kyle Tucker. They paid a hefty price, and they only get him for one year. At this point, I would give the Cubs re-signing Kyle Tucker only a 10%. They had him at a bargain, and they were the only team that could negotiate with him, but they fumbled that opprotunity. I would guess that Kyle gets something close to 10 years, and $400 million dollars. For the last time: Maybe they are saving up for a big free agent, but I very highly doubt it. To add to the (almost) .270 AVG, and .464 SLG, he just won a silver slugger award.
If this is not the offseason to go all in, then I don’t know when you would. After almost beating the Brewers in the NLDS, there is no way they can have a quiet offseason. They need to make some big moves, and if they don’t, oh boy. They are going to hear it from Cubs fans.
