The vibe around Wrigley Field just shifted. Honestly, if you’d told a Cubs fan two years ago that the front office would drop $175 million on a single player while simultaneously raiding the Marlins for a high-ceiling arm, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the Billy Goat Tavern. But here we are in January 2026, and the Cubs news and trade rumors cycle is spinning faster than a Shota Imanaga fastball.
Jed Hoyer isn't just "pivoting" or "retooling" anymore. He’s pushing chips into the middle of the table. The signing of Alex Bregman to a five-year deal is the kind of seismic event that changes the gravity of a division. It’s not just about the bat—though a guy who just put up nearly 8 WAR is a nice perk—it’s about the signal it sends to the rest of the NL Central.
The Cubs won 92 games in 2025. They were a whisker away from an NLCS appearance. Now, they're acting like a big-market team again.
The Bregman Effect and the Infield Logjam
Let's get real about the Alex Bregman signing. When Jeff Passan broke the news on January 10—right in the middle of a Bears-Packers game, because of course—it felt like a turning point. Bregman chose Chicago over a return to Boston, and his introductory press conference at Wrigley this past Thursday made one thing clear: he’s here for a third ring. He’s even wearing No. 3 to remind everyone.
But his arrival creates a fascinating, if slightly chaotic, situation for manager Craig Counsell. Before Bregman put pen to paper, the infield was basically set. You had Michael Busch at first, Nico Hoerner at second, Dansby Swanson at short, and the phenom Matt Shaw at third.
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Now? Someone is the odd man out.
There is a lot of talk about Matt Shaw potentially moving to the outfield. Jed Hoyer basically confirmed as much during the presser, mentioning that Shaw’s athleticism makes him a candidate to roam the grass. It’s a smart way to keep a premium bat in the lineup without sacrificing defense elsewhere. However, the trade market is sniffing around. Teams are calling about Nico Hoerner. They’re calling about Shaw. When you have too much talent in the dirt, other GMs start smelling blood in the water.
Sorting Through the Latest Cubs News and Trade Rumors
The hottest Cubs news and trade rumors right now involve the pitching staff. The trade for Edward Cabrera was a "statement" move. By sending Owen Caissie—a legitimate top prospect—to Miami, the Cubs signaled they value immediate, high-octane starting pitching over "maybe" years down the road. Cabrera joins a rotation that already features Shota Imanaga, who recently accepted his qualifying offer of $22 million to stay in Chicago.
But is Hoyer done? Probably not.
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While the "big fish" like Bregman are in the boat, the rumblings about Tarik Skubal won't go away. The Tigers and Skubal are currently $13 million apart in arbitration. That is a massive gap. If Detroit decides the relationship is fractured or the price is too high, the Cubs have the prospect capital to make a play. Imagine a rotation fronted by Imanaga, Cabrera, and Skubal. That’s not just a playoff rotation; that’s a "win the World Series" rotation.
The Bullpen Overhaul Nobody is Talking About
While everyone is staring at the Bregman contract, the Cubs have quietly built a flamethrowing factory in the pen. They've spent real money here, which is a departure from the "scrap heap" strategy of years past.
- Phil Maton: 2 years, $14.5 million.
- Hunter Harvey: 1 year, $6 million.
- Hoby Milner: $3.75 million.
- Caleb Thielbar: Back on a $4.5 million deal.
It’s a deep group. It’s a group designed to protect leads in October. If you're looking for a reason why the 2026 Cubs might actually surpass the 2016 squad in regular-season dominance, look at the depth. They aren't relying on one or two arms to carry the load; they’ve got six or seven guys who can realistically shut the door.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Current Roster
The biggest misconception right now is that the Cubs are "trading Nico Hoerner." Honestly, it’s unlikely. Hoerner is the heartbeat of the defense and one of the best contact hitters in a league that is increasingly obsessed with the "three true outcomes."
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Moving Hoerner would be a lateral move at best, even if it clears space for Shaw. The real trade chip to watch is the 40-man roster fringe. The Cubs just claimed Ben Cowles off waivers from the White Sox. Why? Depth. In the modern MLB, you don't just need a 26-man roster; you need a 45-man roster that can cycle through the season.
Also, don't sleep on Tyler Austin. He's coming back from Japan on a $1.25 million deal. Most fans haven't seen him play in years, but he was a monster for the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars. He's the perfect "low-risk, high-reward" bench bat that Craig Counsell loves to deploy in high-leverage pinch-hitting spots.
Key Takeaways for the 2026 Season
The North Side is no longer in a "build" phase. We are officially in the "win" phase.
If you're following the Cubs news and trade rumors, keep an eye on the back end of the rotation and the potential for one more veteran outfielder. With Kyle Tucker signing with the Dodgers (a move that still stings for many in Chicago), there is a gap in the grass that Matt Shaw might not be able to fill alone.
Actionable Insights for Cubs Fans:
- Watch the Waiver Wire: The 40-man roster is currently full. Any further additions will require a corresponding move, which means a trade or a DFA is looming.
- Monitor Matt Shaw's Spring Training Reps: If he's taking 50% of his fly balls in the outfield in Mesa, you know the Bregman/Hoerner/Swanson infield is locked in.
- Keep an Eye on the Tigers: The Tarik Skubal arbitration situation is the most important "non-Cubs" story for Cubs fans to follow right now.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be the most anticipated year at 1060 West Addison in a decade. The pieces are there. The money is spent. Now, it's just about the 162-game grind.