Chicago Cubs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Insider Confirms $160 Million Free Agent Starter Remains On Cubs Radar

While the MLB hot stove has been relatively quiet over the holidays, it has already started picking up steam in the new year. This began when Tatsuya Imai signed a three-year, $54 million contract (with $63 million possible based on incentives) with the Houston Astros on January 1, one day before his posting period ended.

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The Quiz of the Day

The eighth day of Cubsmas: Eight home runs on the Fourth of July

On the first day of Cubsmas My true love gave to me An Anthony Rizzo retirement for the ages, On the second day of Cubsmas My true love gave to me A $2

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / January 1

Chicago Cubs have checked in on premier free agent during 2025 free agency

The Chicago Cubs have been swimming in the deep end in terms of premier free agents, but have yet to sign a massive name. They have been rumored to be in contact with a handful of them, but none have officially signed a contract to join the Cubs for the 2026 season.

MLB News / ChiCitySports / January 1

Chicago Cubs target is off the board; Imai signs cheapo deal with Houston Astros

The Chicago Cubs must now employ a plan B when it comes to starting pitching as one of their reported top offseason targets has come off the board. According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, Japanese starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai has just signed with the Houston Astros.

Philadelphia Phillies News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

How many of the most prolific power hitters in baseball today can you name in 5 minutes?

The 'Last 40-home-run season by MLB team' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The '50-home-run MLB seasons' quiz

MLB News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / January 1

Tatsuya Imai has signed with the Astros. What’s next for the Cubs?

News item: So, okay, the guy who could have really helped the Cubs rotation isn’t available anymore. And here’s the money for Tatsuya Imai: Yes, the Cubs could easily have afforded that.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The 25 most memorable sports plays of 2025

When it comes to unforgettable plays within the 2025 sports calendar, this was truly a special year. Here's our rankings of the 25 best.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / January 1

What if the Chicago Cubs don’t land their free agent targets?

The Chicago Cubs got pretty far last season, even with second-half offensive inconsistencies and a late-season starting rotation seemingly held together by grit, resolve, and character.

Jed Hoyer News / Chicago Cubs on SI / January 1

Cubs 2026 Rotation Now That Tatsuya Imai Has Signed With The Astros

Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs have had their names on the suitors 'list for free agent Tatsuya Imai since the very beginning. The organization was clear that they wanted to add depth to their starting rotation this offseason, but they failed to win the bidding war as he will not be on the Cubs roster come opening day.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / January 1

Happy New Year 2026!

Happy New Year to you from all of us at BCB. Here’s the full image from above: Here’s my wish for you to have a happy, healthy 2025, and also a wish for the Chicago Cubs to have a successful season and hopefully return to the postseason.

Nico Hoerner News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / January 1

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Bregman, Busch, Hoerner, Imai, Rizzo.

Happy New Year! The rumor mills are churning. Headlines claim that the Cubs are about to or have already signed JT Realmuto, Nolan Arenado, Walker Buehler, Bo Bichette, and of course Kyle Tucker will re-up.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / January 1

Cubs Predicted To Land Tatsuya Imai As Posting Deadline Nears

Free agent pitcher Tatsuya Imai made several interesting comments during a recent interview he did with a Japanese outlet. "It seems that there aren't

Pete Crow-Armstrong News / ChiCitySports / December 31

Cubs’ seemingly imminent contract extension should concern Chicago fans

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong finally broke out this past season, smashing 31 home runs while playing otherworldly defense en route to his first All-Star appearance and a Gold Glove.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 31

The seventh day of Cubsmas: Seven walk-off wins

On the first day of Cubsmas My true love gave to me An Anthony Rizzo retirement for the ages, On the second day of Cubsmas My true love gave to me A $2

Alex Bregman News / ChiCitySports / December 31

Cubs’ Alex Bregman chances land distressing update thanks to failed trade attempt

The Chicago Cubs have been tabbed as one of the top potential destinations for third baseman Alex Bregman, but it’s now looking more and more like Bregman will ultimately sign elsewhere.

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The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

The 'CFP appearances' quiz

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

The 'Most NFL pass completions' quiz

Chicago Cubs News / Cubs Insider / December 31

Cubs’ Extension Options Plentiful

The Cubs have very few players under contract past 2026 and 2027, which means the next few winters could be quite busy. Just a few years ago, the team had one of the best farm systems in baseball.

Hunter Harvey News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 31

Cubs land veteran reliever in free agency for $6 million

The Chicago Cubs added another piece to their bullpen by signing veteran right-hander Hunter Harvey to a one-year deal worth $6 million, with up to $1.5 million available in incentives.

Tommy La Stella News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 31

Cubs position player pitchers: Tommy La Stella

Tommy La Stella is the third Cubs position player who pitched in a single game in 2018, and I did these sort of out of order, alphabetically instead of in the order they appeared.

MLB News / ChiCitySports / December 31

Big Chicago Cubs-St.Louis Cardinals trade is not so far-fetched anymore

A Chicago Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals trade for Nolan Arenado, as of a few days ago, still seemed laughably ridiculous. Well, it’s not so laughable anymore.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / December 31

Cubs linked to intriguing but cheap move for two-time World Series champion

The Chicago Cubs have not been all that active this offseason, and it is beginning to wear thin on the fan base. Sure, we have heard the Cubs connected to big names like Tatsuya Imai and Alex Bregman, but nothing has happened just yet.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / December 31

Cubs’ Potential Next Big Thing In Outfield Set To Debut In Minor Leagues

One can’t argue with the outfielders the Chicago Cubs have acquired and developed lately. Pete-Crow Armstrong has MVP-level talent. The Cubs didn’t draft him, but were smart enough to get him from the New York Mets in the Javier Baez trade.

Colin Rea News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 31

The 10 most-read BCB articles of 2025

The year 2026 begins at midnight tonight, local time. As such, it’s a good time to look back and see what brought you, the BCB reader, to the site most often during 2025.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / December 31

Chicago Cubs receive strong grade for 2025 regular season and offseason

The Chicago Cubs were able to showcase their talents throughout 2025, finishing as one of the NL Wild Card teams with a 92-70 record and making the playoffs for the first time since the COVID-shortened season.

Chicago Cubs News / Viral Sports News / December 31

Chicago Cubs Land Massive Prediction That Could Alter Their Future

As the MLB offseason heats up, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees appear to be the primary teams vying for the services of standout international free agent Tatsuya Imai, a right-handed starter transitioning from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Kyle Tucker News / Viral Sports News / December 28

Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Tucker Dream Might Not Be Dead Yet

When the Chicago Cubs pulled off a major trade with the Houston Astros last offseason, acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker in exchange for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith, most analysts viewed it as a short-term move.

Christian Bethancourt News / Total Apex Sports / December 24

Chicago Cubs Bring Back Veteran Catcher

The Chicago Cubs brought back a familiar face Monday when they announced that they are signing Christian Bethancourt to a minor-league deal. Bethancourt, 34, was with the Cubs in the latter half of the 2024 season.