Jordan Bastian
@bastianmlb.bsky.social
MLB.com senior reporter covering the Cubs (since 2019). Previously covered Cleveland (2011-18) and Toronto (2005-10). Michigan State alum. Liverpool fan. Runner. Also bastianmlb on Instagram.
ICYMI: Chatted with Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy about Shota Imanaga's return and how much the hamstring setback impacted the pitcher last season.
More here ⤵️
More here ⤵️
Hottovy ‘pumped’ to have Shota back for '26
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November 24, 2025 at 10:10 PM
ICYMI: Chatted with Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy about Shota Imanaga's return and how much the hamstring setback impacted the pitcher last season.
More here ⤵️
More here ⤵️
Cubs name INF Jonathon Long and RHP Jostin Florentino their Minor League player and pitcher of the year for 2025 ⤵️
November 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Cubs name INF Jonathon Long and RHP Jostin Florentino their Minor League player and pitcher of the year for 2025 ⤵️
The Cubs are in agreement with free-agent righty Phil Maton on a two-year deal with a club option for '28, pending physical, per source.
Following @willsammon.bsky.social (first on contract length) and @michael-cerami.bsky.social (first on agreement).
Following @willsammon.bsky.social (first on contract length) and @michael-cerami.bsky.social (first on agreement).
November 22, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The Cubs are in agreement with free-agent righty Phil Maton on a two-year deal with a club option for '28, pending physical, per source.
Following @willsammon.bsky.social (first on contract length) and @michael-cerami.bsky.social (first on agreement).
Following @willsammon.bsky.social (first on contract length) and @michael-cerami.bsky.social (first on agreement).
The Cubs have tendered contracts to Justin Steele and Javier Assad. The salary exchange date is Jan. 8, but Cubs can try to reach deals before that step.
Reese McGuire and Eli Morgan have been non-tendered, and are now free-agents.
Reese McGuire and Eli Morgan have been non-tendered, and are now free-agents.
November 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The Cubs have tendered contracts to Justin Steele and Javier Assad. The salary exchange date is Jan. 8, but Cubs can try to reach deals before that step.
Reese McGuire and Eli Morgan have been non-tendered, and are now free-agents.
Reese McGuire and Eli Morgan have been non-tendered, and are now free-agents.
Cubs have added infielders Pedro Ramirez and James Triantos, as well as lefty Riley Martin, to their 40-man roster. Combined with Shota Imanaga's decision to stay, Chicago's roster has 32 players at the moment.
November 19, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Cubs have added infielders Pedro Ramirez and James Triantos, as well as lefty Riley Martin, to their 40-man roster. Combined with Shota Imanaga's decision to stay, Chicago's roster has 32 players at the moment.
Similar to 2023, when Cubs received a comp pick for Willson Contreras. Chicago received pick No. 68 and drafted RHP Jaxon Wiggins (now Pipeline's No. 3 Cubs prospect and No. 67 on the Top 100).
November 18, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Similar to 2023, when Cubs received a comp pick for Willson Contreras. Chicago received pick No. 68 and drafted RHP Jaxon Wiggins (now Pipeline's No. 3 Cubs prospect and No. 67 on the Top 100).
Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga has accepted the one-year Qualifying Offer ($22.025M) to remain in Chicago for 2026, per multiple sources.
November 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga has accepted the one-year Qualifying Offer ($22.025M) to remain in Chicago for 2026, per multiple sources.
All-Star and Gold Glover Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to suit up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
November 14, 2025 at 3:08 AM
All-Star and Gold Glover Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to suit up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
Will Cubs be involved in international market?
Hoyer: "Yeah. There’s a lot of good players. There’s a lot of good Japanese players coming over, some good Korean players coming over. There’s a number of good American players coming back over. So yeah, I expect to be engaged in those markets."
Hoyer: "Yeah. There’s a lot of good players. There’s a lot of good Japanese players coming over, some good Korean players coming over. There’s a number of good American players coming back over. So yeah, I expect to be engaged in those markets."
November 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Will Cubs be involved in international market?
Hoyer: "Yeah. There’s a lot of good players. There’s a lot of good Japanese players coming over, some good Korean players coming over. There’s a number of good American players coming back over. So yeah, I expect to be engaged in those markets."
Hoyer: "Yeah. There’s a lot of good players. There’s a lot of good Japanese players coming over, some good Korean players coming over. There’s a number of good American players coming back over. So yeah, I expect to be engaged in those markets."
Hoyer on Imanaga:
"We made a decision not to exercise the club option. He quickly made the decision not to do the player option. And we’ve had pretty consistent dialogue since then. ... We think the world of Shota. He was fantastic in his two years for us. We’re never closing the door on anything."
"We made a decision not to exercise the club option. He quickly made the decision not to do the player option. And we’ve had pretty consistent dialogue since then. ... We think the world of Shota. He was fantastic in his two years for us. We’re never closing the door on anything."
November 12, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Hoyer on Imanaga:
"We made a decision not to exercise the club option. He quickly made the decision not to do the player option. And we’ve had pretty consistent dialogue since then. ... We think the world of Shota. He was fantastic in his two years for us. We’re never closing the door on anything."
"We made a decision not to exercise the club option. He quickly made the decision not to do the player option. And we’ve had pretty consistent dialogue since then. ... We think the world of Shota. He was fantastic in his two years for us. We’re never closing the door on anything."
Hoyer: "We’re in a pretty good position on the position-playing side. On the pitching side, we’re thinner. So I think that’s going to be our focus. And I expect to explore trades. I expect to explore free agency, both at the top of the market, but also looking at Minor League free agency."
November 12, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Hoyer: "We’re in a pretty good position on the position-playing side. On the pitching side, we’re thinner. So I think that’s going to be our focus. And I expect to explore trades. I expect to explore free agency, both at the top of the market, but also looking at Minor League free agency."
Cubs righty Cade Horton finishes second to Braves catcher Drake Baldwin in voting for the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year. Voting breakdown from BBWAA here ⤵️
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Cubs righty Cade Horton finishes second to Braves catcher Drake Baldwin in voting for the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year. Voting breakdown from BBWAA here ⤵️
Cubs pick up the National League’s Gold Glove team award for 2025 ⤵️
November 8, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Cubs pick up the National League’s Gold Glove team award for 2025 ⤵️
For bookkeeping here: this is confirmed via multiple sources now.
Tucker is no-brainer to decline the offer. Imanaga is more interesting. It's a raise over $15.25M option he turned down. Could explore what multiyear deals exist before 11/18 deadline. Only 14 of 144 QOs all-time have been accepted.
Tucker is no-brainer to decline the offer. Imanaga is more interesting. It's a raise over $15.25M option he turned down. Could explore what multiyear deals exist before 11/18 deadline. Only 14 of 144 QOs all-time have been accepted.
The Cubs have extended a one-year Qualifying Offer ($22.025M) to both OF Kyle Tucker and LHP Shota Imanaga, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The move secured Draft-pick compensation in the event that they decline and then sign with a new team.
Deadline to accept/decline is Nov. 18.
Deadline to accept/decline is Nov. 18.
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
For bookkeeping here: this is confirmed via multiple sources now.
Tucker is no-brainer to decline the offer. Imanaga is more interesting. It's a raise over $15.25M option he turned down. Could explore what multiyear deals exist before 11/18 deadline. Only 14 of 144 QOs all-time have been accepted.
Tucker is no-brainer to decline the offer. Imanaga is more interesting. It's a raise over $15.25M option he turned down. Could explore what multiyear deals exist before 11/18 deadline. Only 14 of 144 QOs all-time have been accepted.
The Cubs have extended a one-year Qualifying Offer ($22.025M) to both OF Kyle Tucker and LHP Shota Imanaga, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The move secured Draft-pick compensation in the event that they decline and then sign with a new team.
Deadline to accept/decline is Nov. 18.
Deadline to accept/decline is Nov. 18.
November 6, 2025 at 9:45 PM
The Cubs have extended a one-year Qualifying Offer ($22.025M) to both OF Kyle Tucker and LHP Shota Imanaga, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. The move secured Draft-pick compensation in the event that they decline and then sign with a new team.
Deadline to accept/decline is Nov. 18.
Deadline to accept/decline is Nov. 18.
Cubs prospects C Owen Ayers and RHP Koen Moreno were named to the AFL’s Fall Stars team. The game will be at 7 pm CT on Sunday, aired on MLBN and MLB.com.
November 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Cubs prospects C Owen Ayers and RHP Koen Moreno were named to the AFL’s Fall Stars team. The game will be at 7 pm CT on Sunday, aired on MLBN and MLB.com.
As expected, Justin Turner has become a free-agent. That means the Cubs declined his $10M team option for '26, in favor of the $2M buyout.
November 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
As expected, Justin Turner has become a free-agent. That means the Cubs declined his $10M team option for '26, in favor of the $2M buyout.
Cubs have reached a one-year agreement with righty Colin Rea for $6.5M in '26, plus a team option for '27, per source. MLBTR's Steve Adams was first with the deal.
Rea, 35, was second in innings (159.1) for Cubs last year. Had a 1.93 ERA in his last 4 outings, 3.95 ERA overall.
Rea, 35, was second in innings (159.1) for Cubs last year. Had a 1.93 ERA in his last 4 outings, 3.95 ERA overall.
November 6, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Cubs have reached a one-year agreement with righty Colin Rea for $6.5M in '26, plus a team option for '27, per source. MLBTR's Steve Adams was first with the deal.
Rea, 35, was second in innings (159.1) for Cubs last year. Had a 1.93 ERA in his last 4 outings, 3.95 ERA overall.
Rea, 35, was second in innings (159.1) for Cubs last year. Had a 1.93 ERA in his last 4 outings, 3.95 ERA overall.
Cubs announce that they have traded veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Orioles for cash considerations. There is a $9M team option for '26 in Kittredge's contract.
Chicago acquired Kittredge from Baltimore for prospect Wilfri De La Cruz at the Deadline this past season.
Chicago acquired Kittredge from Baltimore for prospect Wilfri De La Cruz at the Deadline this past season.
November 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Cubs announce that they have traded veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Orioles for cash considerations. There is a $9M team option for '26 in Kittredge's contract.
Chicago acquired Kittredge from Baltimore for prospect Wilfri De La Cruz at the Deadline this past season.
Chicago acquired Kittredge from Baltimore for prospect Wilfri De La Cruz at the Deadline this past season.
Can confirm this news as well, via source. If the Cubs extend a QO to Imanaga by Thursday's deadline, it would secure Draft-pick compensation if he declines and then signs with a new team.
Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have declined the 3-year option on lefty Shota Imanaga, who subsequently declined a 1-year, $15.25M option for 2026. That makes Imanaga a free-agent.
Cubs still have ability to offer him a 1-year, Qualifying Offer ($22.025M).
Cubs still have ability to offer him a 1-year, Qualifying Offer ($22.025M).
November 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Can confirm this news as well, via source. If the Cubs extend a QO to Imanaga by Thursday's deadline, it would secure Draft-pick compensation if he declines and then signs with a new team.
Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have declined the 3-year option on lefty Shota Imanaga, who subsequently declined a 1-year, $15.25M option for 2026. That makes Imanaga a free-agent.
Cubs still have ability to offer him a 1-year, Qualifying Offer ($22.025M).
Cubs still have ability to offer him a 1-year, Qualifying Offer ($22.025M).
November 4, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have declined the 3-year option on lefty Shota Imanaga, who subsequently declined a 1-year, $15.25M option for 2026. That makes Imanaga a free-agent.
Cubs still have ability to offer him a 1-year, Qualifying Offer ($22.025M).
Cubs still have ability to offer him a 1-year, Qualifying Offer ($22.025M).
Righty Cade Horton is a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year, along with catcher Drake Baldwin of the Braves and infielder Caleb Durbin of the Brewers. Winner will be announced on Nov. 10 on MLBN.
Last Cubs' ROY was Kris Bryant (2015). Last pitcher: Kerry Wood in '98.
Last Cubs' ROY was Kris Bryant (2015). Last pitcher: Kerry Wood in '98.
November 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Righty Cade Horton is a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year, along with catcher Drake Baldwin of the Braves and infielder Caleb Durbin of the Brewers. Winner will be announced on Nov. 10 on MLBN.
Last Cubs' ROY was Kris Bryant (2015). Last pitcher: Kerry Wood in '98.
Last Cubs' ROY was Kris Bryant (2015). Last pitcher: Kerry Wood in '98.
And no surprise here: Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong picks up his first career Gold Glove Award for his defensive work this past season. Set a Statcast-era record with 19 five-star catches.
November 3, 2025 at 2:14 AM
And no surprise here: Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong picks up his first career Gold Glove Award for his defensive work this past season. Set a Statcast-era record with 19 five-star catches.
Ian Happ was already the 1st Cubs outfielder to win 3 Gold Glove Awards -- he now has a 4th for his trophy case. Happ is the only NL left fielder to win 4 in a row since the award went position-specific for outfielders in 2011.
November 3, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Ian Happ was already the 1st Cubs outfielder to win 3 Gold Glove Awards -- he now has a 4th for his trophy case. Happ is the only NL left fielder to win 4 in a row since the award went position-specific for outfielders in 2011.