Devin Ortiz singled twice, walked, scored a run, and drove-in two more, Kane Kepley tripled, walked twice, and scored a run, and Alexander Ramirez (ex-LAA - post-2025 minor league 6YFA) clubbed a bases-loaded bases-clearing double off the RF fence in the bottom of the 6th to break a close game open, as the Knoxville Smokies (AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) defeated the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants AA affiliate) 9-4 on Field # 5, and Hayden Cantrelle and Karson Simas smacked back-to-back run scoring doubles in the bottom of the 2nd, and Eric Yang (solo shot) and James Triantos Jr (two run dinger) belted home runs in the bottom of the 8th to turn what had been a 3-3 tie between the Iowa Cubs (AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) and the Sacramento River Cats (Giants AAA affiliate) into a 6-3 I-Cubs lead and eventual 6-4 victory on Field # 6, in Cactus League Minor League Spring Training game action Saturday afternoon at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Donovan McIntyre (two-run double), Dakota Jordan (RBI double), and Gavin Kilen (RBI single) drilled back-to-back-to-back run scoring hits in the top of the 7th for the Flying Squirrels in the AA game on Field # 5, and Diego Cartaya smacked a game-tying two-run HR in the top of the 7th for the River Cats in the AAA game on Field # 6.    

The AA game on Field # 5 was extended an extra half inning so that all of the Cubs pitchers scheduled to throw in the game could get their work. 

Simultaneous with the Cactus League games on Fields 5 & 6, pitchers Ronald Lazaro Mena (sometimes listed as Lazaro Ronald Mena), Ariel Ramos, and Julio Valdez (all three just arrived from the Cubs Dominican Academy) threw “live” BP on Field # 3 (Juan Tomas, Juan Cabada, and Ezequiel Pena were among the hitters, with Daniel Campos and Ivan Cespedes -- both of whom made their stateside debuts last September at AZ Instructs -- doing the catching). Mena was signed by the Cubs in August 2025 for a reported $350K bonus (after the conclusion of the DSL season), and was rated the top pitching prospect at the Cubs DSL Academy even though he has yet to pitch in a professional game.      

Here are the abridged box scores from the two Cactus League Minor League games (Cubs players only):  

Josiah Hartshorn collected three hits (including a two-run single), walked, and stole two bases, Eli Lovich (RBI double), Logan Poteet (RBI single), and Jose Escobar (RBI triple) contributed run scoring hits to highlight a three-run 6th, and five pitchers combined to toss a five-hitter with 16 strikeouts, leading the South Bend Cubs (Hi-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) to a 5-1 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (Athletics' Hi-A affiliate) on Field # 5, and Reggie Preciado clubbed a two-run HR over the LF fence in the bottom of the 2nd and Jonathon Long sliced an oppo-field line-drive two-run HR over the RF fence in the bottom of the 5th to help the Knoxville Smokies (Cubs' AA affiliate) defeat the Midland RockHounds (A's AA affiliate) 5-3 on Field # 6, in Cactus League Minor League Spring Training game action Friday afternoon at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.

Justin Riemer (two-run triple) and Gunner Gouldsmith (RBI single) collected run-scoring hits for the RockHounds in a losing cause.

While Knoxville and South Bend were playing games on fields 5 & 6, the Iowa Cubs played an intrasquad "sim" game on Field # 3, and all of the Cubs pitchers who threw in the AA game on Field # 6 are actually assigned to the AAA squad (working group) at Minor League Camp, and all of the Cubs pitchers who threw in the Hi-A game on Field # 5 are actually assigned to the AA squad (working group). 

Also, several position players assigned to the Lo-A Myrtle Beach squad at Minor League Camp were temporarily moved-up to the South Bend or Knoxville squads to replace Smokies and SB Cubs players who traveled with the MLB Cubs to Camelback Ranch (the Cubs - A's Lo-A game between Myrtle Beach and Stockton was canceled). 

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games (Cubs players only):

3/12 UPDATE: 

The Cubs optioned LHP Luke Little, LHP Ryan Rolison, and OF Justin Dean to AAA Iowa, and sent RHP Vince Velasquez, C Ariel Armas, C Casey Opitz, and OF Brett Bateman to Minor League Camp. 

3/8 UPDATE: 

The Cubs optioned LHP Riley Martin, RHP Jack Neely, INF Ben Cowles, and INF James Triantos to AAA Iowa and INF Pedro Ramirez to AA Knoxville, and sent NRI RHP Grant Kipp, RHP Connor Noland, RHP Connor Schultz, and RHP Jaxon Wiggins to Minor League Camp.  

3/1 UPDATE: 

The Cubs claimed INF Ben Cowles off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.

To make room for Cowles on the MLB Reserve List (40-man roster), RHP Shelby Miller has been placed on the MLB 60-day IL.

2/26 UPDATE: 

The Cubs extended an NRI to OF Michael Conforto (signed to a minor league contract).

2/18 UPDATE:

INF Ben Cowles has been claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. 

2/17 UPDATE:

The Cubs extended an NRI to RHP Kyle Wright (signed to a minor league contract). 

2/15 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed post-2025 Article XX-B MLB free-agent RHRP Shelby Miller to a two-year $2.5M major contract (so $1.25M AAV). Performance bonuses are included.

Miller had surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow in October, so he will very likely miss the entire 2026 season.

As a post-2025 Article XX-B MLB free-agent, Miller has automatic “no trade” rights through June 15th.

To make room for Miller on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster, INF Ben Cowles has been Designated for Assignment (and if Cowles is ultimately sent outright to the minors, he does NOT have the right to elect free-agency. 

2/3 UPDATE:

The Cubs extended an NRI to RHP Vince Velasquez (signed to a minor league contract).

2026 CUBS SPRING TRAINING ROSTER (last updated 3-12-2026)

2/26 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed post-2025 Article XX-B MLB free-agent OF Michael Conforto to a 2026 minor league contract. 

Because he was an Article XX-B MLB free-agent post-2025, Conforto gets an automatic Opening Day “opt-out,” or May 1st if he does not opt-out on Opening Day, or June 1st if he does not opt out on Opening Day or May 1st.

So there are now 175 players on the Cubs minor league Domestic Reserve List (roster is full).

2/21 UPDATE: 

The Cubs re-signed INF-OF Jaylen Palmer to a 2026 minor league contract. (Palmer was declared a post-2025 Rule 9 minor league 6YFA after spending the 2025 season at AA Knoxville).

2/19 UPDATE:

The Cubs re-signed C-1B Ethan Hearn to a 2026 minor league contract. (Hearn was declared a post-2025 Rule 9 minor league 6YFA after spending seven seasons in the Cubs organization but never getting higher than AA).

2/17 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent RHSP Kyle Wright to a 2026 minor league contract. 

If he were to be selected to the 40 at some point in 2026, Wright is out of minor league options, and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors.

Also, RHRP Shane Marshall has been released. He would have been Rule 5 Draft-eligible post-2026. (RHP Fred Fajardo was also released, but he would not have been eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft until post-2028). 

2/4 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed post-2025 minor league 6YFA C Eric Yang (ex-CIN) to a 2026 minor league contract. 

If he were to be selected to the 40 at some point in 2026, Yang has three minor league options available, but he also has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors (he has been outrighted to the minors previously in his career).

2/3 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent RHRP Gabe Klobosits, RHSP Vince Velasquez, and INF-OF Owen Miller to 2026 minor league contracts. 

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Velasquez has one minor league option remaining, but because he has Article XIX-A player status (he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time) he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent.

If he were to be selected to the 40 at some point in 2026, Miller is out of minor league options, and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors.

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Klobosits has one minor league option available, and he does not have the right to elect free-agency if he were to be sent outright to the minors after being added to the 40.

1/28 UPDATE: 

The Cubs released RHRP Landon Ginn and RHRP Mathew Peters. Both would have been eligible for selection in the 2026 Rule 5 Draft. (RHP Charlie Hurley was also released, but he would not have been Rule 5 Draft eligible until 2027).

1/27 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed post-2025 minor league 6YFA free-agent OF Alexander Ramirez (ex-LAA) to a 2026 minor league contract, and he was assigned to AA Knoxville. 

A. Ramirez has never been on an MLB 40-man roster.  

1/26 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent LHP Charlie Barnes, RHRP Tyler Beede, OF Dylan Carlson, OF Chas McCormick, and INF Karson Simas to 2026 minor league contracts. 

Although he otherwise does not qualify as an Article XX-B player, Barnes spent four seasons in KBO (2022-25), so he may have contractual Article XX-B rights (TBD) if he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026. 

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, McCormick has two minor league options remaining, and he would have the right to elect free-agency if he is added to the MLB 40-man roster and then is subsequently sent outright to the minors. However, if he is selected to the 40, McCormick will accrue five years of MLB Service Time and attain Article XIX-A player status if he spends at least 11 days on an MLB 26-man active list roster, at which point he cannot be optioned or outrighted to the minors without he consent. 

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Carlson has two minor league options remaining, but because he has Article XIX-A player status (he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time) he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent. 

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Beede is out of minor league options, and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors. 

Simas was a minor league 6YFA post-2025 (ex-BOS), and he has never been on an MLB 40-man roster.

1/24 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed RHRP Yacksell Rios to a 2026 minor league contract.

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Rios is out of minor league options, and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors.

1/23 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent RHRP Trent Thornton and second-contract FA RHRP Tyler Ras (ex-HOU) to 2026 minor league contracts.

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Thornton is out of minor league options, and he cannot be sent outright to the minors without his consent.

Ras has never been on an MLB 40-man roster. He was assigned to the ACL Cubs roster.

1/10 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent RHRP Corbin Martin to a 2026 minor league contract.

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Martin is out of minor league options and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors. 

1/7 UPDATE: 

The Cubs traded OF Owen Caissie, minor league INF Cristian Hernandez, and minor league 3B-1B Edgardo de Leon to the Miami Marlins for RHSP Edward Cabrera. 

C. Hernandez is eligible for selection in the 2026 Rule 5 Draft. (He was also eligible for selection in the Major League Phase of the 2025 Rule 5 Draft, but was not selected).

12/31 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent C Christian Bethancourt to a 2026 minor league contract.

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Bethancourt is out of minor league options, and he cannot be sent outright to the minors without his consent.

12/26 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed free-agent RHRP Jeff Brigham to a 2026 minor league contract. 

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Brigham is out of minor league options and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors.

12/12 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed free-agent RHRP Collin Snider to a 2026 minor league contract. 

If he were to be selected to the MLB 40-man roster at some point in 2026, Snider is out of minor league options and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is subsequently outrighted back to minors.

12/11 UPDATE:

The Cubs released LHRP Burl Carraway and RHRP Wil Jensen, a day after they went unselected in the AAA Phase of the 2025 Rule 5 Draft.

Both were eligible to be MLB Rule 9 minor league 6YFA post-2026. 

ORIGINAL POST:

As thing stand right now (2/26)…

62 Cubs minor leaguers are eligible for selection in the 2026 MLB Rule 5 Draft, and 36 Cubs minor leaguers (34 post-2026 6YFA and three second-contract players) are eligible to be declared MLB Rule 9 minor league free-agents at 5 PM Eastern on the 5th day after the final game of the 2026 World Series (or at 5 PM Eastern on October 15th if the World Series is cancelled).

Back in the day (and it wasn't too far back, either), Minor League Spring Training would begin in March, about three weeks after the start of MLB Spring Training.

2/21 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed NDFA SS Alex Madera (U. of North Carolina) to a minor league contract. 

2/19 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed NDFA LHP Jackson Brockett (U. of Nebraska) to a minor league contract.

12/1 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed NDFA RHP Sam Mettert (St. John's University) to a minor league contract.

7/25 UPDATE: 

The Cubs signed NDFA RHP Braylon Myers (U. of Alabama) and INF Jose Silva (International Baseball Academy - Fajardo, PR / MLB Draft League) to minor league contracts. (Silva will be assigned to the Cubs Catcher Conversion Program in Mesa). 

Silva played for Frederick in the MLB Draft League prior to signing with Cubs. 

7/22 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) RHP Henry Cone (Abilene Christian) and RHP Aidan Moffett (U. of Texas / MLB Draft League) to 2025 minor league contracts.

Moffett pitcher for West Virginia in the MLB Draft League prior to signing with Cubs. 

7/14 ORIGINAL POST:

CUBS 2025 MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (RULE 4 DRAFT) PICKS

The Cubs haven't announced their 2026 Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees (NRI) yet, but there is a formula clubs use when compiling their Spring Training rosters.

There are exceptions, but generally the first week or two of Spring Training clubs want 36 pitchers (broken up into three groups of 12 each), at least eight catchers (including two staff bullpen catchers), and three players for each of the other seven defensive positions.  

So, as things stand right now (subject to maybe one or two still TBD roster tweaks in the coming days)…

PROSPECT PROMOTION INITIATIVE (PPI) BONUS DRAFT PICK

IFA SIGNED BY CUBS IN 2026 ISP:

last updated 1-15-2025

* bats or throws left
# bats both

NOTE: Age listed is player's age the date he signed

SIGNED 1/15:
# Franyel Almanzar, SS (age 16 - 5'10 160) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - $600K bonus 
D'Alessandro Barile, SS (age 16 - 5'11 170) - VENEZUELA 
Jose Avendano, P (age 17 - 5'11 180) - VENEZUELA
* Xavier Cadiz, SS (age 16 - 5'8 167) - VENEZUELA
Anderson Carias, P (age 16 - 6'1 164) - VENEZUELA
Yadier Concepcion, P (age 16 - 6'0 150) - PANAMA
Luis Diaz, OF (age 16 - 6'0 178) - COLOMBIA
Johan Geraldo, SS (age 16 - 6'1 164) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - $600K bonus
Luis German, SS (age 16 - 5'10 163) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
# Eduardo Gonzalez, SS (age 17 - 5'10 187) - VENEZUELA - $800K bonus
Samir Guerrero, SS (age 17 - 5'10 156) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Diego Hernandez, SS (age 16 - 5'9 155) - VENEZUELA
Santiago Lopez, P (age 16 - 5'10 187) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Jhosued Marcano, P (age 16 - 5'11 202) - VENEZUELA
# Jaims Martinez, SS (age 17 - 5'10 150) - CUBA - $900K bonus
Luis Martinez, P (age 19 - ?'?? - 135) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Marcos Mateo, SS (age 17 - 5'10 161 ) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Giancarlos Mendoza, SS (age 17 - 5'10 163) - VENEZUELA
Albert Moreno, OF (age 17 - 5'11 175) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Yadier Munoz, SS (age 17 - 5'10 155) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - $1.2M bonus
Enrique Oropeza, OF (age 17 - 6'2 186) - VENEZUELA
Yamel Pinto, P (age 17 - 5'10 171) - VENEZUELA
Luciano Prince, P (age 16 - 6'1 178) - VENEZUELA
* Yanfri Serrano, OF (age 16 - 6'0 183) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - $800K bonus
* Jose Serva, P (age 17 - 5'10 160) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
* Esau Taveras, SS (age 16 - 6'0 145) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
# Luis Thomas, SS (age 17 - 6'0 146) - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Kotaro Tsunematsu, OF (age 22 - 6'0 201) - JAPAN (Keio University)

INTERNATIONAL SIGNING PERIOD (ISP) 

The "International Signing Period" (ISP) extends from January 15th through December 15th. No international player can be signed during the period of time extending from December 16th through January 14th. 
NOTE: Prior to the 2021 ISP, the ISP began on July 2nd and extended through June 15th of the following year, but the 2019-20 ISP (only) was extended until 5 PM (Eastern) on October 15, 2020, and no international player could be signed during the period of time beginning at 5 PM Eastern on October 15, 2020, through January 14, 2021.     

Any individual who is age 17 or older, has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, resides outside the U. S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and has not been enrolled in a high school or college in the U. S., Canada, or Puerto Rico within the previous year, is considered to be an "International Free-Agent" (IFA) and can be signed during the ISP. Also, any individual age 16 who turns 17 prior to September 1st is eligible to sign.   
NOTE: Prior to 2023, an IFA could be “Signed for Future Service” (first year of the contract is the following season) beginning on his 16th birthday if he turned 16 during the period of time beginning on July 2nd and extending through August 31st. (Beginning in 2023, an IFA can longer be ‘Signed for Future Service"). 

1/15 UPDATE: 

The Cubs claimed INF Ben Cowles off waivers from the White Sox.

So the Cubs MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) is now full.

Cowles is a pre-arbitration player, he has two minor league options remaining, and he cannot elect free-agency if he were to be sent outright to the minors at some point.

Also, because he did not accrue any MLB Service Time in 2025, Cowles can be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) - EVEN IF HE IS INJURED - up until 15 days prior to MLB Opening Day.

1/14 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed Article XX-B MLB free-agent 3B Alex Bregman to a five-year $175M contract ($70M is deferred). 

Bregman also received a full “no trade” for the length of the contract.

1/13 UPDATE:

The Cubs claimed OF Justin Dean off waivers from the San Francisco Giants. 

Dean is a pre-arbitration / auto-renewal player. 

While Dean has three minor league options remaining and he does not have the right to elect free-agency if he is sent outright to the minors, he is an MLB Rule 9 player so he cannot be sent outright to the minors until Outright Assignment Waivers are secured - AND - he has either signed a 2026 Major League contract or had his 2025 contract unilaterally renewed by the club on March 1st (see NOTE below).

NOTE: An unsigned player who is not eligible to be an Article XIX-A or Article XX-D minor league free-agent if outrighted but who would have been an MLB Rule 9 minor league free-agent (either a Six-Year FA or Second-Contract FA) if the player had been on a minor league reserve list at 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series cannot be sent outright to the minors after 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series unless and until either the player signs a Major League contract for the following season, has his previous season's contract unilaterally and automatically renewed by the club on March 1st, or agrees (in advance) to sign a minor league contract for the following season (if the Outright Assignment is contemplated prior to a Major League contract being tendered).

1/7 UPDATE: 

The Cubs acquired RHSP Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins in exchange for OF Owen Caissie, minor league INF Cristian Hernandez, and minor league 3B-1B Edgardo de Leon. 

Also, the Cubs claimed LHRP Ryan Rolison off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.(He is a pre-arbitration / auto-renewal player).   

Rolison has two minor league options available (he received retroactive credit for full MLB seasons in both 2022 & 2023 as the result of a shoulder injury that required surgery and a lengthy rehab period, so his optional assignments in 2022 and 2023 were voided).    

Rolison has been outrighted previously in his career (post-2023), so he has the right to elect free-agency if he is outrighted again (he can elect free-agency immediately after being outrighted and forfeit what remains of his salary, or he can accept the outright assignment, continue to be paid, and defer election of free-agency until after the conclusion of the MLB regular season).

12/31 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed Article XX-B MLB free-agent RHRP Hunter Harvey to a one-year $5M contract plus am $8M mutual option for 2027 (or $1M buy-out / severance if option is not exercised), so $6M AAV. $1.5M in potential performance bonuses are also included in the deal ($125K each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games, $250K each for 55 and 60 games, and $125K each for 25, 30, 35, and 40 GF).

As is the case with all Article XX-B MLB free-agents who sign after 23:59 on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series, Harvey will get a full "no trade" through June 15th. Harvey can waive this right, but if he does he can be traded only for cash and / or player contracts with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000 (an amount equivalent to the MLB waiver price).

Harvey does have one minor league option available, but because he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent.

12/23 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed non-tendered free-agent RHRP Jacob Webb to a one-year $1.5M contract, with a $2.5M club option for 2027. $500K in potential annual performance bonuses are also included in the deal ($125K each for 35, 45, 55, and 65 games). 

Webb has no minor league options left, and because he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time he cannot be sent outright to the minors without his consent. 

12/18 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed free-agent 1B Tyler Austin to a $1.25M one-year contract.

Austin spent the last five seasons (2020-24) with the Yokohama BayStars in NPB (Japanese major league).

Austin has no minor league options left, and he has the right to elect free-agency if he is sent outright to the minors.

Because he played in a foreign major league prior to signing with the Cubs, Austin can (with the consent of the club and the player) be given contractual Article XIX-A and Article XX-B rights, meaning he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent (Article XIX-A) and he can be an Article XX-B major league free-agent when his contract expires post-2026. However, it is not clear whether or not Austin has these contractual rights (still TBD). 

12/17 UPDATE:

The Cubs re-signed Article XX-B MLB free-agent LHRP Caleb Thielbar to a one-year $4M contract, with a $6M mutual option for 2027 (or a $500K severance / buy-out if option is not exercised). $750K in potential annual performance bonuses are also included in the deal ($125K each for 50 and 55 games, and $250K each for 60 and 65 games).

As is the case with all Article XX-B MLB free-agents who sign after 23:59 on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series, Thielbar will get a full “no trade” through June 15th. He can waive this right, but if he does he can be traded only for cash and / or player contracts with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000 (an amount equivalent to the MLB waiver price).

Thielbar does have one minor league option available, but because he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent. 

12/16 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed Article XX-B MLB free-agent LHRP Hoby Milner to a one year $3.75M contract. $250K in potential performance bonuses are also included in the deal (bonuses probably relate to getting maybe $125K if he pitches in a certain number of games, and another $125K if he pitches in a certain number of games above the first number).

As is the case with all Article XX-B MLB free-agents who sign after 23:59 on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series, Milner will get a full “no trade” through June 15th. He can waive this right, but if he does he can be traded only for cash and / or player contracts with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000 (an amount equivalent to the MLB waiver price).

Milner does have one minor league option available, but because he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent. 

11/25 UPDATE:

The Cubs signed Article XX-B MLB free-agent RHRP Phil Maton to a two year $14.5M contract ($5.5M in 2026 and $6M in 2027, plus a third year $8.5M club option in 2028 or a $3M buy-out - so $7.25M AAV). Performance bonuses are also included in the deal ($125K each for 40 and 50 games in 2026-27, and $250K each for 40 and 50 games in 2028, and a $250K assignment bonus to be paid the acquiring club if he is traded).

As is the case with all Article XX-B MLB free-agents who sign after 23:59 on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series, Maton will get a full “no trade” through June 15th. He can waive this right, but if he does he can be traded only for cash and / or player contracts with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000 (an amount equivalent to the MLB waiver price).

Maton does have one minor league option available, but because he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent. 

11/18 UPDATE:

Article XX-B MLB free-agent LHP Shota Imanaga accepted the Article XX-B Qualifying Offer extended by the Cubs on 11/6.

As such Imanaga will be paid a $22.025M salary in 2026 and will be eligible to be an Article XX-B MLB free-agent again post-2026, albeit without being eligible to receive another QO.

By accepting the QO Imanaga also receives a full "no trade" right though June 15th, but if he waives this right he can be traded only for cash and/or player contracts with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000. 

11/6 UPDATE:

The Cubs reinstated LHP Justin Steele from the MLB 60-day IL.

The Cubs declined the club option portion of the 2026 mutual option on 1B-3B Justin Turner, so Turner is an Article XX-B MLB free-agent.

The Cubs also declined their 2026 club option on RHP Colin Rea making him an Article XX-B MLB free-agent, and then re-signed him to a 2026 MLB contract with a club option for 2027.

In addition, the Cubs extended an Article XX-B Qualifying Offer to free-agent LHP Shota Imanaga and OF Kyle Tucker. The players have until November 18th to decide whether to accept or decline the QO.

There are now 28 players on the Cubs MLB Reserve List (40-man roster), so twelve slots are open. 

11/4 UPDATE:

The Cubs traded RHRP Andrew Kittredge to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.

Also, the Cubs declined their 2026-28 club option on LHSP Shota Imanaga, and then Imanaga declined his 2026 player option. So Imanaga is an Article XX-B free-agent. 

11/1 ORIGINAL POST:

The post-2025 MLB off-season officially begins at 9 AM tomorrow (Sunday 11/2 - the day after the final game of the 2025 World Series), at which time the following will occur: