Chicago Cubs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Cubs’ Kevin Alcántara Knows the Power Is There — Now He’s Chasing Something Else

Spring Training is just around the corner for the Chicago Cubs, and everyone is watching the team’s young players. One player to watch this year is outfielder Kevin Alcántara.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Chicago Cubs news and notes — PCA, Shaw, Suzuki

Tom Ricketts is making World Series noises, which ring like endorsing a manager before changing faces. There’s a real spring game tomorrow. Kris Bryant is having a hard time with his chronic pain condition.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB Trade Rumors / February 19

Cubs Hire Dixon Machado As Minor League Manager

The Cubs announced they’ve hired Dixon Machado to manage their Arizona Complex League affiliate. That seemingly brings an end to his playing career after 17 seasons in pro ball.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / February 18

Cubs announce starting pitchers for first 2 spring training games

The Chicago Cubs are just days away from opening Cactus League play against the Chicago White Sox. Friday’s matchup will serve as their first spring training contest of the year, with the Texas Rangers scheduled for the following day.

Justin Verlander News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Live-Ball Era strikeout leaders' quiz

How many of the 36 MLB pitchers with 2,500 or more strikeouts in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920) can you name in five minutes?

The 'Home run leaders by MLB team' quiz

The ''MLB: The Show' cover athletes' quiz

The 'Active 200-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz

Alex Bregman News / Chicago Cubs on SI / February 18

MLB Insiders Poll Reveals Why Alex Bregman Is Such a Key Cubs Signing

Spring Training is upon us, and that means a few different things. While it's an opportunity for players to brush the rust off, it is also a time for new teammates to start building chemistry with one another before Opening Day.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / February 18

Chicago Cubs MLBPA meeting spells doom for the 2027 season

The Chicago Cubs are one of 30 Major League Baseball teams wondering what will happen to the game after this season, as the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) is up in December.

Jameson Taillon News / Chicago Cubs on SI / February 18

Chicago Cubs Announce Starter for Spring Training Opener vs White Sox

Jameson Taillon will be the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs when they open their spring training exhibition slate on Friday against the Chicago White Sox.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / February 18

What is #This, Cubs?

Chicago is finally thawing out after an interminable winter that saw a brutally cold January transition straight to a just as frigid February. While Chicago shows signs of emerging from its long winter slumber pitchers and catchers have already reported to Arizona.

Chicago Cubs News / Cubs Insider / February 18

Cubs Looking to Begin New Stretch of Annual Contention

Certain truisms in life stretch into the world of sports and beyond, one of which is that success breeds desire, and desire breeds sustainability. Following a 92-win season, the Cubs enter the 2026 campaign fresh off spending the second-highest amount of any team on free agency this past offseason.

Javier Assad News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / February 18

2026 Chicago Cubs player profiles: Javier Assad

Today we look at the Cubs’ younger right-handed swingman. The Cubs have restocked the bullpen and added a starter. So far, we’ve covered the starting five and the entire batting/fielding group (as it stands).

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / February 18

Cubs Owner Tom Ricketts Makes Team's Ambitions Loud and Clear

The Chicago Cubs are back in playoff form, claiming their first series win since 2017 and showing they still have championship ambitions nearly a decade after their World Series title.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who have the most to prove in 2026

The new MLB season brings opportunities as players head into their walk years and try to rebound from subpar performances. These 25 players stand out heading into 2026.

Should Red Sox trade for former All-Star infielder?

Mariners getting needed bat in All-Star Brendon Donovan via three-team deal with Cardinals, Rays

Giants CEO calls Dodgers a 'dragon to slay'

Yankees' latest endeavor points to a Jasson Dominguez mistake waiting to happen

Top of Phillies' rotation is elite, but also comes with questions

Owen Caissie News / ChiCitySports / February 18

Chicago Cubs: Owen Caissie on being 'blocked' in Chicago and the Marlins’ more competitive mindset

The Chicago Cubs’ first big move of the offseason made big-time headlines and signaled that the team was serious about competing for a championship in 2026.

Chicago Cubs News / Cubs Insider / February 18

Cubs Announce 2026 Minor League Coaching Staffs

As usual, this one will get the media release treatment… The Chicago Cubs today announced their minor league managers and coaching staffs for the 2026 season.

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

The 'Receiving leaders by NFL season' quiz

The 'NBA All-Star MVPs' quiz

The 'Multiple 20-assist NBA games' quiz

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / February 18

Cubs announce 2026 minor league coaching staffs

Here are the managers and coaching staffs for the Cubs minor league affiliates: Iowa Cubs, Knoxville Smokies, South Bend Cubs, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, the Arizona Complex League Cubs and the team in the Dominican Summer League.

Rob Manfred News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / February 18

Some thoughts about the Cubs, Rob Manfred and local TV rights

Commissioner Rob Manfred has made no secret that he would like to have all 30 MLB teams’ local TV rights to be able to sell to prospective buyers after the 2028 season, along with national rights.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / February 18

This Chicago Cubs pitcher is on Fangraphs Top 100 prospect list

Having some top-tier prospects in the organization is something the Chicago Cubs are used to. Whether it be being able to use the prospect capital to be reinforcements for the major-league club or trading prospects to get MLB talent, the Cubs have the depth to do either.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / February 18

Way Too Early Predictions of the 2026 NL Central Standings

It had been a quiet offseason for the Chicago Cubs until the last month. Now, the Cubs have an additional arm for their pitching staff with a trade for Edward Cabrera, and have arguably one of the best all-around third basemen in the league in Alex Bregman.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / February 18

Chicago Cubs history unpacked — February 18

So long, Harry, and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / February 19

Cubs' Ian Happ, Jameson Taillon speak on untimely Tony Clark resignation

The Chicago Cubs, along with teams across Major League Baseball, are grappling with the unexpected resignation of MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / February 17

Ian Happ on Matt Shaw’s Glove Gaffe: 'The Guy Hasn’t Played a Lot of Outfield’

Matt Shaw was displaced in the offseason after the Chicago Cubs committed to a five-year deal to have Alex Bregman play third base. Shaw is now trying his hand at being a utility player.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB Trade Rumors / February 17

Happ, Suzuki: No Recent Extension Talks With Cubs

It’s common for baseball teams to spend the winter focusing on new acquisitions and then pivot to extensions during spring training. Nothing seems urgent with a couple of Cubs, as outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki both tell Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times that they have not yet heard from the club on the extension front.