The Chicago Cubs have wrapped up their arbitration season by tendering contracts to left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Javier Assad for 2026, while non-tendered catcher Reese McGuire and reliever Eli Morgan are now free agents.
Both Steele and Assad were dealing with significant injury issues last season, but the two pitchers still demonstrated flashes of promise when they took the mound. Steele, in particular, is on track to make a quick return from his April elbow surgery, and he's expected to be a key member of the Cubs' rotation come next season.
Assad, who missed most of his 2025 campaign due to consecutive oblique strains, still managed to post a respectable 3.65 ERA in eight appearances, showcasing his versatility as both a starting and relief pitcher. With their contracts now on the table, the Cubs need to agree to terms with Steele and Assad before the January deadline or risk heading into an arbitration hearing.
Meanwhile, McGuire's free agency was all but inevitable given his limited role behind starters Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly. In 44 major-league appearances, McGuire hit nine home runs and posted a .688 OPS, making him an attractive option for teams seeking to bolster their catching depth.
Morgan, on the other hand, struggled in his limited postseason stint with the Cubs, allowing 10 runs in seven relief outings before landing on the injured list with an inflamed ulnar nerve. The move to non-tender Morgan is a cost-cutting measure as the Cubs look to trim their payroll and focus on more promising prospects.
Both Steele and Assad were dealing with significant injury issues last season, but the two pitchers still demonstrated flashes of promise when they took the mound. Steele, in particular, is on track to make a quick return from his April elbow surgery, and he's expected to be a key member of the Cubs' rotation come next season.
Assad, who missed most of his 2025 campaign due to consecutive oblique strains, still managed to post a respectable 3.65 ERA in eight appearances, showcasing his versatility as both a starting and relief pitcher. With their contracts now on the table, the Cubs need to agree to terms with Steele and Assad before the January deadline or risk heading into an arbitration hearing.
Meanwhile, McGuire's free agency was all but inevitable given his limited role behind starters Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly. In 44 major-league appearances, McGuire hit nine home runs and posted a .688 OPS, making him an attractive option for teams seeking to bolster their catching depth.
Morgan, on the other hand, struggled in his limited postseason stint with the Cubs, allowing 10 runs in seven relief outings before landing on the injured list with an inflamed ulnar nerve. The move to non-tender Morgan is a cost-cutting measure as the Cubs look to trim their payroll and focus on more promising prospects.
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, I mean he had a solid season with 9 homers in 44 games 
. He's definitely worth picking up by another team, maybe they can give him the chance to be more than just a backup catcher? 
, but it's cool that the Cubs aren't worried about breaking the bank on him anymore 
. Still gotta root for those two pitchers to bounce back from their injuries and make a strong impression in 2026 
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, especially since they're only dealing with minor injury issues this time around 
. Now if the Cubs can just get these guys signed before the January deadline 
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. I mean, .688 OPS? That guy can mash! He's definitely worth something more than being a free agent. I'm not sure what happened to his game plan, but he was crushing in 2024 before things took a turn for the worse.
. It's like the Cubs are just going through the motions with their reliever corps. They need someone who can consistently bring the heat and stay healthy.
! Those guys showed some serious stuff last season, even if they were dealing with injuries. And now that Steele's on track to make a quick return... watch out Cubs' rotation!
. They've got some talent, but it seems like they're not giving them enough time to develop.
. I mean, those guys were dealing with injuries last season and still managed to put up decent numbers... it's not like they're gonna be lights out or anything 
️. And yeah, McGuire is a nice piece to have around, but he was always gonna be a free agent waiting to happen 
. The Cubs are just setting themselves up for another mediocre season if you ask me 
. On the bright side, at least they're trimming their payroll to make room for some real prospects... that's gotta count for something 
Are they prioritizing cost-cutting over competitive advantage? 
And what about Morgan's non-tendered status? Is that just a case of letting younger prospects shine or a reflection of the team's overall roster evaluation? 
I'm not saying they're making mistakes, but these moves have got me wondering if the Cubs are setting themselves up for long-term success... or just trying to stay competitive in the short term? 
The Cubs are trying to rebuild without breaking the bank, huh? I think they're making a smart move by letting McGwire and Morgan go - it's tough for these guys to bounce back from injuries and prove themselves all over again. Meanwhile, Steele and Assad are looking like the real deal! 
If they can get them locked down, that's going to give the Cubs some serious depth in their rotation. What do you think about the Cubs' strategy this offseason?