Cubs Free Agents: Who Stays and Who Goes?

The Chicago Cubs have a multitude of impending free agents that will require decisions as they begin shaping their roster for 2027. Each potential departure creates a question about how to replace that player’s production, while every reunion represents a commitment of money and a roster spot.

Evaluating who should return requires more than just a season stat line. Recent performance does matter, but so do age, health, cost, and the role that would be available next season. A player can have a productive season and still be a difficult fit in the future. Another could be worth keeping around despite shaky results.

There is also a difference between identifying a player worth bringing back and predicting whether a deal will happen. The Cubs’ interest is only one part of the equation, with players weighing their opportunities elsewhere.

With those factors in mind, here’s a look at Chicago’s upcoming free agents, which reunions make sense and which players are more likely to move on.

Seiya Suzuki

2026 Stats: 143 G, .270/.368/.473, 26 HR, 86 RBI, 134 wRC+, 4.5 fWAR

Out of all of the impending free agents in Chicago, none may be harder to replace than Seiya Suzuki. He had another fantastic season in 2026, slashing .270/.368/.473 with a career-high 4.5 fWAR. This mirrored his endless consistency since joining the Cubs.

In each of the last four seasons he has recorded at least 20 home runs, 70 RBI, and a 125 OPS+. The only other players to do the same over that span are Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper. As if that constant production wasn’t good enough, he took a massive leap defensively this year.

Prior to 2026, Suzuki had never once finished a season with a positive Fielding Run Value. Then this year, he posted a +7 FRV. This, along with 14 Defensive Runs Saved, +4 Outs Above Average, and an elite throwing arm helped earn his way to being a finalist to win a Gold Glove.

The value that he brings to the table is extremely hard to replace, though early reports suggest the Cubs may not be willing to go all out to keep him. According to Patrick Mooney from The Athletic, it’s “unlikely that the Cubs will get into a bidding war for Suzuki’s services, let alone win one.”

Pitching should be a priority for the Cubs this winter, but retaining Suzuki should remain high on their list. His consistent offensive production and improved defense would leave a significant hole if he departs. A reunion would require a substantial investment, but Chicago should make a serious effort to keep him rather than enter the winter needing to replace another productive everyday player.

Verdict: Stay

Clay Holmes (Player option)

2026 Stats: 18 G, 101.1 IP, 3.29 ERA, 6.93 K/9, 3.73 BB/9, 3.63 FIP, 1.8 fWAR

Entering the offseason, Clay Holmes has a decision to make. He has a player option, though he is widely expected to opt out and hit the free agent market, a move that makes sense for him.

Over the last two seasons, Holmes has transitioned into a starting role and found a lot of success. Over the last two seasons as a starter, he’s posted a 3.44 ERA over 267 innings pitched. That production will almost certainly earn him more in free agency than his $12 million player option for 2027.

Given that, all signs point towards him hitting free agency, and he remains a perfect fit for the Cubs. They acquired him at the deadline this year, and while he wasn’t perfect, one specific trait makes him an ideal target: his ground ball rate.

Holmes has an elite ability to generate groundballs, and the Cubs infield has an elite ability to turn ground balls into outs. His 57.6% groundball rate is third highest among pitchers with at least 200 innings over the last two seasons, while the Cubs infield has three players with Gold Gloves.

He’s not perfect, and we saw him struggle a bit down the stretch, but if Jed Hoyer is serious about fixing the pitching staff this offseason, Clay Holmes would be an excellent player to retain.

Verdict: Stay

David Peterson

2026 Stats: 32 G, 148.1 IP, 4.79 ERA, 8.31 K/9, 3.94 BB/9, 3.96 FIP, 1.7 fWAR

After a shaky start to his Cubs career, David Peterson found his stride and dominated down the stretch. Over his final 14 games of the year, he had a 2.66 ERA and was huge for the Cubs.

Similar to Holmes, Peterson keeps the ball on the ground at an elite rate. He showcased this with a 53.3% ground ball rate over that final 14 game span while also inducing strikeouts and weak contact.

He is still just 31 years old and has a solid record of health, spending just two stints on the injured list since 2020. After a season that saw injuries to multiple top rotation arms, this should be something that Chicago values.

Relative to other starters on the market, Peterson may be the best bang for your buck option for the Cubs. His profile fits, the production was great, and he can give them consistency. Getting him back would be a huge win.

Verdict: Stay

Ian Happ

2026 Stats: 156 G, .218/.326/.412, 24 HR, 68 RBI, 107 wRC+, 2.6 fWAR

The first real controversial player on this list is Ian Happ. While he has had a great tenure with the Cubs, many fans are in favor of letting him walk this offseason. Their grievances are not completely unwarranted, but let’s start with the good.

In his career, Happ has finished zero seasons with a below average wRC+. Additionally, he has played at least 145 games in five consecutive seasons with 20 or more home runs in four of them. He has also won a Gold Glove in four straight seasons and is a finalist again this year.

So, why do people not want him back? Well, there are a few reasons.

First, he has real issues with left-handed pitching. In 2026, he batted .145 with a 36.1% strikeout rate against them. He also had a general uptick in swing and miss and strikeouts, both rising over five percentage points from 2025. He is now 32, around the age when Statcast aging curves suggest bat speed begins to decline more noticeably, adding another concern to his worsening contact numbers.

However, Happ remains productive against right-handed pitching and could provide value in a role that limits his exposure to lefties. The Cubs should consider bringing him back on a contract that reflects that usage and the concerns about his declining contact rate. If another team offers a larger commitment and an everyday role, Chicago should be willing to move on.

Verdict: Go

Shota Imanaga

2026 Stats: 32 G, 174.1 IP, 3.77 ERA, 8.98 K/9, 1.91 BB/9, 4.47 FIP, 1.8 fWAR

During his tenure with the Cubs, Shota Imanaga has gone through extreme highs and lows. In his rookie season he posted a 2.91 ERA and 3.1 fWAR. It appeared that Chicago may have found a front of the rotation arm.

Then in 2025, he began really getting hurt by the home run ball. He had the second highest home runs allowed per nine innings which carried into the postseason where he had an 8.10 ERA. However, most of this damage came after he returned from a hamstring injury. Over that final 17 game stretch, he surrendered 24 home runs and had a 4.99 FIP.

He was able to bounce back in 2026 with a 3.77 ERA, and while the home runs remained an issue, he was very solid. Zooming out on his career to this point, he’s had a sub-4.00 ERA in every season and thrown an average of over 160 innings per season.

Availability and general solid production is something that the Cubs can continue to use. Imanaga is a strong middle to back of the rotation starter, and if that is his true role in 2027, a reunion could make sense.

Verdict: Stay

Matthew Boyd (Mutual option)

2026 Stats: 22 G, 126.2 IP, 3.91 ERA, 6.82 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, 4.21 FIP, 1.6 fWAR

Unlike most players on this list, Matthew Boyd may avoid the free agent market. He has a $15 million mutual option that could interest the Cubs.

Boyd was just okay in 2026. He had a 3.91 ERA and dealt with a couple of injuries that kept him off the mound over the first few months of the season. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for him as he’d dealt with plenty of injuries throughout his career.

He will be 36 years old next season, and the health history is concerning. With Boyd continuing to age, that concern can only continue to grow. With the price of starting pitching in today’s game, it wouldn’t be shocking if both parties agree, though it may be in the Cubs’ best interest to let him walk.

Verdict: Go

Kevin Gausman

2026 Stats: 32 G, 177.2 IP, 4.51 ERA, 9.32 K/9, 2.38 BB/9, 3.74 FIP, 3.1 fWAR

It was a down year for Kevin Gausman and his run with the Cubs after the deadline was shaky. During his nine starts with Chicago, he had a 4.83 ERA and seemed to have trouble finding his stride. There were some awesome games mixed in, but overall, not enough to stand out.

Gausman is another guy who is almost always healthy. Since 2016, he has only failed to eclipse 30 starts in a full season one time. He has a fantastic track record of both regular and postseason success which is exactly why the Cubs acquired him.

Still, there is doubt around him returning to Chicago. Since the deadline fans have speculated that he could end up right back in Toronto, and after a rough time with the Cubs, that could make sense.

Relative to the other options, his profile doesn’t pair as well with the Cubs roster. Nothing can be ruled out, but I just don’t see Gausman being a priority and anticipate that he will sign elsewhere.

Verdict: Go

Michael Conforto

2026 Stats: 113 G, .240/.331/.469, 15 HR, 45 RBI, 119 wRC+, 0.8 fWAR

The Cubs and Michael Conforto agreed to a deal on February 26th, very late in the offseason. He had a tough run in 2025, batting just .199 with -0.6 fWAR and his chances of contributing in 2026 looked slim.

Conforto quickly beat the odds. He got off to a hot start and earned himself more consistent at-bats, ending the season with an .800 OPS and 15 home runs. It was almost strictly a platoon role in which he thrived.

Heading into 2027, that production would be amazing to have back on the bench. Obviously, not certain that he’ll replicate that production, but after what we saw this year, it’s hard to argue against bringing him back to Chicago.

Verdict: Stay

Tyrone Taylor

2026 Stats: 97 G, .279/.325/.502, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 127 wRC+,1.5 fWAR

The Cubs added Tyrone Taylor at the deadline to serve in a platoon role with Ian Happ. He tore up left-handed pitching this year and thrived in Chicago.

Post-deadline he batted .351 with a 146 wRC+ and provided some versatility in the outfield. He was able to cover center field and give Pete Crow-Armstrong some days off his feet as well as play a consistently solid left field.

Most of his at-bats came against lefties this year and he dominated them, though that is not in line with his career numbers. He’s been about average throughout his career, and while it may have been flukey this year, it could’ve also been a focused role that he found success in.

If Happ returns, bringing back Taylor makes too much sense. With that, you’ll have a strong platoon between two guys who defend well. Bringing back Taylor isn’t a must, but it may still be in the Cubs’ best interest.

Verdict: Stay

Colin Rea (Club option)

2026 Stats: 34 G, 137.0 IP, 4.34 ERA, 6.64 K/9, 3.09 BB/9, 4.80 FIP, 0.4 fWAR

When the Cubs signed Colin Rea heading into the 2025 season, it appeared he’d be a long reliever who made the occasional spot start. Since then, he’s pitched 296.1 innings which is the third most by a Cub over that span.

Rea really stepped up when the Cubs needed him, and even after he struggled at times in 2026, he was still very valuable. Both the rotation and bullpen have had their fair share of struggles, and he played a role in stabilizing each of them.

*The price on the club option is $7.5 million with a $1 million buyout. This price is about right based on his production and could make sense for next season.

He is not the only Cubs long reliever who could hit free agency this winter, as Aaron Civale will too. Keeping both of them may be unrealistic, but the Cubs should try to bring back at least one of them. They have very different backgrounds, and have both been solid, though Colin Rea could be the safer of the two.

Verdict: Stay

Aaron Civale

2026 Stats: 34 G, 111.1 IP, 4.20 ERA, 7.36 K/9, 2.83 BB/9, 4.64 FIP, 0.8 fWAR

Neither of the last two seasons have begun with Civale pitching on the North Side, though oddly enough both of them ended with him on the Cubs. In 2025 they claimed him off waivers and in 2026 they picked him up after the Athletics designated him for assignment.

His struggles in each season halted once he arrived in Chicago. With the Cubs in the last two years, he pitched to a 1.81 ERA over 49.2 innings.

The production was very good, though his numbers elsewhere leave a bit of question in his game. If the Cubs are confident that he will produce for them again, they could choose him over Rea. However, keeping him and letting Rea walk may create too much risk. Long relievers are important roles, and I’m not sure Aaron Civale is the best remaining option.

Verdict: Go

Caleb Thielbar (Mutual option)

2026 Stats: 58 G, 50.0 IP, 4.86 ERA, 10.80 K/9, 3.24 BB/9, 4.70 FIP, -0.2 fWAR

No pitcher has appeared in more games for the Cubs than Caleb Thielbar over the last two seasons. He’s come into relief 125 times and been a big piece for them. He was fantastic in 2025, though the same can’t quite be said for 2026.

This year he had a 4.86 ERA and 4.70 FIP. It was far from perfect and the home run ball was a real issue. At this stage in his career the odds of a bounce back are trending in the wrong direction.

There is a mutual option in place for the 2027 season placed at $6 million. With him coming off a tough season and almost 40 years old now, this price may be steep for the Cubs. As good as he was, it’s hard to imagine him back next season.

Verdict: Go

Hunter Harvey (Mutual option)

2026 Stats: 4 G, 4.0 IP, 6.75 ERA, 9.00 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 8.35 FIP, -0.2 fWAR

There was some excitement surrounding Hunter Harvey when the Cubs signed him this offseason. Chicago had been lacking velocity and Harvey has just that. The concern was his long history of injuries, and that fear came to life very early.

Harvey was placed on the injured list on April 12th and did not return to the mound all season. There wasn’t much clarity on the issue, as he originally was said to have right triceps inflammation and that’s just about all we heard of him.

He does have a mutual option set at $8 million, but after what happened this year, odds are the Cubs move on from him.

Verdict: Go

Trent Thornton

2026 Stats: 48 G, 48.1 IP, 3.35 ERA, 5.77 K/9, 3.17 BB/9, 5.21 FIP, -0.5 fWAR

One of the Cubs’ more consistent pitchers this season was Trent Thornton. He was brought in on a minor league deal and ended up making the team on May 6th.

He posted a 3.35 ERA over 48.1 innings, covering both high and low leverage situations. The issue is that the underlying numbers are pretty scary. His FIP finished at 5.21, with factors like low strikeout rate and high walk rate as main factors.

His season was also ended by an injury in early September. While his production was strong, the profile under the hood makes him a risk. There’s a chance he returns to Chicago, though a minor league deal may once again be in his future. The odds of a major league deal with the Cubs just aren’t high.

Verdict: Go

Tyler Austin

2026 Stats: Did not play

After signing with the Cubs, Tyler Austin was set to return to MLB after spending a few seasons in Japan playing professionally. This, however, would not come to fruition.

Surgery on his right knee back in March ended up holding him out for the entire season. There isn’t much clarity on what exactly his timeline is, but after not seeing live action for a whole year, it would make sense that he will not return, on a major league deal, that is.

The Cubs have several worthwhile reunion candidates, but bringing everyone back would leave little room to reshape the roster. Suzuki, Holmes, and Peterson should be priorities, while the complementary pieces require more consideration of cost and role.

Chicago can retain productive players and still make meaningful changes, but those decisions need to leave enough flexibility to improve a pitching staff that remains the central question entering 2027.

Verdict: Go