Sunday, November 09

Welcome back to the Cubs Beat newsletter. Jordan Bastian has covered baseball for MLB.com since 2005, including the Cubs since the 2019 season.

CHICAGO -- The first week following the conclusion of the World Series sets the foundation for the offseason ahead. While the Dodgers were hoisting another trophy and holding a parade, teams like the Cubs were deep into internal discussions about roster construction and potential moves.

That process will continue to gain steam on Monday with the arrival of the annual General Managers’ Meetings in Las Vegas. It is the offseason’s first chance to get representatives from all 30 ballclubs and player agents together to begin dialogue about deals that will (or won’t) play out in the months ahead.

Here are five early storylines to follow for the Cubs during the GM Meetings:

1) Is there a chance Shota Imanaga stays in Chicago?

A series of decisions happened this week that added the 32-year-old Imanaga to the free-agent pool. The Cubs declined a three-year team option in his contract and the pitcher turned down a one-year, $15.25 million player option that was available. Then on Thursday, the Cubs extended Imanaga a one-year qualifying offer ($22.025 million) for ‘26.

Players who received a QO have until Nov. 18 to either accept or decline the one-year deal. While it represents a pay boost for Imanaga, his camp will be able to use the GM Meetings to get an early gauge on what type of multiyear offers might exist elsewhere, or if Chicago might be willing to present a restructured extension.

2) Is a reunion with Kyle Tucker realistic?

While Imanaga’s QO situation is a little more layered, Tucker declining the one-year offer he received looks like a no-brainer for the outfielder. Tucker is arguably the top offensive player on the free-agent market this winter and is likely to command a lucrative long-term deal. By offering Tucker and Imanaga the QO, the Cubs can at least garner Draft-pick compensation if they decline and sign with a new team.

While the Cubs are expected to engage Tucker’s team on the possibility of extending his time in Chicago, the more likely outcome here is that he signs elsewhere. That said, the Cubs will need to begin exploring ways to improve the lineup (with or without Tucker). Alex Bregman and Munetaka Murakami are among the intriguing free-agent fits.

3) How will the Cubs address the rotation?

The Cubs needed to add to their rotation even before the decision to allow Imanaga to reach free agency. One way would be to look to the free-agent market: Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Michael King are among the top options. Japanese star Tatsuya Imai would also be an interesting fit if/when he is posted by the Seibu Lions. The Cubs could also explore trade, especially after looking into arms like Joe Ryan (Twins), Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Edward Cabrera (Marlins) and MacKenzie Gore (Nationals) at the Deadline last summer.

4) How will Chicago rebuild the bullpen?

The bulk of the Cubs’ late-inning group down the stretch last season are no longer in the fold. Andrew Kittredge was traded back to Baltimore, while Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz hit free agency. Targeting big-name relievers via multiyear offers is not the Cubs’ style (last year’s pursuit of Tanner Scott was a rare exception). Expect Chicago’s front-office to continue to look for shorter-term value signings, small trades or reclamation projects to once again build the relief corps.

5) Will Cade Horton win the NL Rookie of the Year Award?

Not only do the GM Meetings begin on Monday, but that is the night the Baseball Writers’ Association America starts rolling out its annual awards. First up are the Rookie of the Year honorees, and Horton is one of the finalists in the National League. He is up against catcher Drake Baldwin (Braves) and infielder Caleb Durbin (Brewers) with the winner announced on MLB Network (6 p.m. CT) on Monday night.

Tucker was named a recipient of a NL Silver Slugger Award on Thursday for his offensive performance this past season. Prior to Tucker, who was the last Cubs outfielder to win a Silver Slugger?

A) Sammy Sosa

B) Cody Bellinger

C) Kyle Schwarber

D) Alfonso Soriano

There are only 104 days until the Cubs play a baseball game again, but who’s counting? Earlier this week, the Spring Training schedule for next year was released, giving fans an early look at what’s in store next preseason. Here are some highlights from the Cubs’ schedule:

Feb. 20: The Cubs host the rival White Sox in the Cactus League opener at Sloan Park.

March 3: Team Italy will take on the Cubs in the build-up to the World Baseball Classic.

March 21: The Spring Breakout will feature Padres prospects vs. Cubs prospects at Sloan Park.

March 23-24: The Yankees visit the Cubs for a pair of exhibitions ahead of the regular season.

Catcher Owen Ayers and righty Koen Moreno -- a pair of prospects from the Cubs’ system taking part in the Arizona Fall League with the Mesa Solar Sox -- have been named to the NL’s Fall Stars roster.

The 24-year-old Ayers (19th round, 2024 Draft) was batting .373 (22-for-59) with three homers, 14 RBIs, a 1.153 OPS and a walk total more than double (21) that of his strikeouts (nine) through 18 games. The 24-year-old Moreno (fifth round, 2020) had a 3.86 ERA with 18 strikeouts and seven walks through 14 innings.

The Fall Stars Game is set for 7 p.m. CT on Sunday at Sloan Park and will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com and the MLB app. Paul Severino will handle play-by-play duties, with former big league pitcher Steven Brault and MLB Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo providing analysis.

A) Sammy Sosa

While Bellinger won a Silver Slugger for the Cubs in 2023, he did so in the utility category. You have to go back to 2002 to find the last Cub to win the award as an outfielder. That season, Sosa picked up his sixth and final Silver Slugger for the North Siders after piling up 49 homers, 103 walks and 122 runs with a .594 SLG and .993 OPS.

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