From rotation stalwarts to star outfielders, Chicago faces a roster overhaul. Discover which veterans are testing the market and whose options might signal a North Side departure.
The Chicago Cubs have a busy offseason ahead.
After getting swept in the National League Wild Card Round, all eyes will be on what the front office does to improve the team this offseason. But first, the Cubs have to decide which players they want back.
The North Siders have a long list of players heading to free agency. Here is a list of every Cubs player set to hit free agency.
Pitchers
- Kevin Gausman
- Shota Imanaga
- David Peterson
- Aaron Civale
The Cubs have four pitchers for sure hitting free agency. Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, and Aaron Civale are all free agents after the World Series. With Gausman, Imanaga, and Peterson all free agents, the Cubs are in a tough spot.
Likely Declining Option
- Matthew Boyd
- Clay Holmes
- Colin Rea
- Hunter Harvey
- Caleb Thielbar
The Cubs have five pitchers who have options heading into the offseason. There’s a strong chance that all five pitchers will hit free agency.
Boyd has a $15 million mutual option that will almost certainly not get picked up. Most of the time, mutual options don’t get picked up. So, Boyd is likely headed toward free agency after spending two seasons in Chicago.
Thielbar and Harvey also have mutual options. Thielbar has a $6 million option for 2027, while Harvey has an $8 million option. However, neither will return after a poor year for Thielbar and an injury-riddled campaign for Harvey.
Then, the last two are Rea and Holmes. Rea has a $7.5 million club option, while Holmes has a $12 million player option. The Cubs could decide to bring back Rea on that $7.5 million option, but there’s a slim chance that Holmes picks up his $12 million option.
Position Players
- Ian Happ
- Seiya Suzuki
- Tyrone Taylor
- Michael Conforto
The Cubs will lose more than half of their outfielders next year. Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Tyrone Taylor, and Michael Conforto will all be free agents. The two biggest names on this list are obviously Happ and Suzuki.
It remains to be seen what the Cubs will do with their outfield next season. However, there’s a strong possibility that Suzuki won’t be back after Patrick Mooney’s report a few days ago.
Likely Declining Option
- Carson Kelly
Carson Kelly has a mutual option for the 2027 season. After making $5.5 million in 2025 and $5.25 million in 2026, Kelly’s mutual option is set at $7.5 million for next year. However, that likely won’t get picked up.
