Chicago Cubs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Tatsuya Imai’s Candid Free Agency Admission Creates Ideal Cubs Opportunity

The Chicago Cubs have been linked to star Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai for much of this offseason. On December 17, MLB reporter Francys Romero asserted that the two finalists to sign Imai (who posted a 1.92 ERA in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league last season) are the Cubs and the New York Yankees.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Cubs position player pitchers: Ian Happ

I touched on this appearance briefly in yesterday’s post in this series, about Victor Caratini. Ian Happ’s lone pitching appearance in the major leagues came in a game where Joe Maddon used three position players to finish up after the Cubs were hopelessly behind.

Javier Assad News / ChiCitySports / December 30

Top Cubs player could surprisingly be on the chopping block

The Chicago Cubs definitely need an ace in their starting rotation, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have excessive dept in their pitching staff. The Cubs are actually pretty loaded with good arms, so much so that someone will probably have to be the odd man out in 2026, especially if Chicago adds a big-name pitcher this winter.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 30

In memoriam: Remembering the Cubs we lost in 2025

At year’s end, it’s a good time to reflect and remember those who passed away throughout the year. In the baseball world in general: Hall of Famer Dave Parker and notables Rich Dauer, Mike Greenwell and Chet Lemon, and, of course, Hall of Fame Frick Award winner Bob Uecker.

Kyle Schwarber 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

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / December 30

MLB Insiders Give High Praise To Top Cubs Pitching Prospect

The Chicago Cubs have had an exceptional farm system throughout the years, as evidenced by Matt Shaw, Ian Happ, and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who all started their professional careers in Chicago.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The stars were out in full force during the 2025 World Series. From Max Scherzer in Toronto to Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and of course, Shohei Ohtani, in Los Angeles, there was no shortage of the game's best under the brightest lights.

Phillies star 1B Bryce Harper takes a swipe at president Dave Dombrowski

Mets' continued pursuit of Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman faces one major obstacle

LF Tyler Soderstrom agrees to record contract extension with Athletics

25 MLB stars you probably didn't realize began their career with another team

The worst MLB teams from the 2000s

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 30

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Harvey, Hodge

At the rate we’re going, we’ll be down to one or two articles next issue. I doubt that’d be unusual — but I’ll have to put in a full day to find them. The click-baitery and hired bushwah have gotten SO bad.

Matt Shaw News / ChiCitySports / December 30

Cubs urged to trade Matt Shaw for major pitching upgrade

The Chicago Cubs have remained quiet during the MLB offseason thus far. Jed Hoyer and company have been mentioned in quite a few big rumors, but the team has not been able to make any high-impact additions just yet.

Nico Hoerner News / Chicago Cubs on SI / December 29

Nico Hoerner Responds To Cubs Trade Rumors With Surprising Honesty

One of the more surprising aspects of the Chicago Cubs' offseason is that beloved second baseman Nico Hoerner's name has come up in trade discussions.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / December 29

Cubs facing serious ‘complications’ in pursuit of prized free agent

The Chicago Cubs have yet to make any significant moves this offseason, and fans are understandably getting frustrated. But could the Cubs make a splash in the coming days?

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / December 29

Cubs linked to ‘final’ offseason move that will cause Chicago fans to revolt

The Chicago Cubs have yet to do much of anything this offseason, and most Cubs fans probably aren’t too surprised by their lack of activity. Chicago has been linked to multiple big names in free agency, such as pitcher Tatsuya Imai and third baseman Alex Bregman, but as of now, it doesn’t appear that anything is close on that front for the Cubs.

Anthony Rizzo News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 29

The fifth day of Cubsmas: A five game winning streak

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

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.

Kyle Tucker News / Sport Relay / December 29

Potential Landing Spots for Kyle Tucker

As the offseason progresses into the new year, free agent Kyle Tucker has yet to sign a contract. The veteran outfielder is coming off his fourth straight All-Star season, where he recorded 133 hits, 22 home runs and 73 RBI.

MLB News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 29

Cubs position player pitchers: Victor Caratini

Cubs backup catcher Victor Caratini pitched four times for the team, twice each in 2018 and 2019. I’m doing these in chronological order, then alphabetically, so Caratini is the first of three (!) Cubs position players who pitched in an 18-5 loss to the Cardinals July 20, 2018.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most NFL pass completions' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The 'NFL rookie QBs to win a playoff game' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

Hunter Harvey News / ChiCitySports / December 29

Why did the Chicago Cubs spend $6 million on 'black cat' bad-luck Hunter Harvey?

The Chicago Cubs finally went out and got the hard-throwing power pitcher their bullpen needed. Unfortunately, they waited until all of the high-end closer-capable relievers had already been snatched off the market.

Owen Caissie News / Chicago Cubs on SI / December 29

Why Young Cubs Slugging Option Is Prepared For Breakout Season In 2026

Much of the buzz late in the 2025 season was focused on outfielder Owen Caissie. The Chicago Cubs called up their No. 1 prospect and gave him some play in the outfield.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 29

The 5 best Cubs games of 2025

It is, I suppose, a testament to the 2025 Cubs season that all five of these games — plus one of the two “honorable mention” games — were in the season’s first half.

Michael Busch News / Chicago Cubs on SI / December 29

Cubs Slugger Michael Busch’s Power Knew No Limits During 2025 Season

Michael Busch has emerged as one of the Chicago Cubs’ most powerful players since he arrived before the 2024 season. The former Los Angeles Dodgers prospect has been steady at first base for Chicago, with a pair of seasons in which he flashed a consistent slash line and showed of the power at the plate.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / December 29