After a brief detour in the Chicago White Sox organization, infielder Benjamin Cowles is back in the Chicago Cubs organization. The Cubs claimed the 25-year-old off of waivers, and their 40-man roster is now a full 40. Any additional moves on that front will require maneuvering.
Cowles, together with reliever Jack Neely, was the return in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade at the deadline in 2024. He struggled upon arriving at Triple-A in 2025, and was ultimately bumped off the 40-man roster in Se...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 5 reads
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths. “Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire. , and other stories for the discerning reader. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Jim Murray, Dizzy Dean HOF*, Bob […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
Today was International Signing Day, the first day of the 2026 cycle for free agent signings. Because most of these players have come to an informal and non-binding agreement with teams long before today, almost all of the major signings will be formalized today. The Cubs are talking a different approach to free agency this […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
It was a foregone conclusion that the Cubs were not going to bring back outfielder Kyle Tucker. For whatever reason, they showed little interest in bringing him back. The Cubs instead pivoted to a major signing of third baseman Alex Bregman, which you know all about by now. But it is a minor surprise that […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 8 reads
Hey, good for Willi Castro!
According to multiple reports, the 28-year-old utility man, acquired by the Cubs at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, is heading to the Colorado Rockies on a very healthy two-year, $12.8 million deal.
Willi Castro to the Rockies
Willi Castro is heading to Colorado, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/4Aw8QNmnro — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 15, 2026
Castro was an All-Star with the Twins in 2024 and had a nice start to the 2025 seaso...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 9 reads
This is a transaction you did not expect to read about. The Cubs have made a waiver claim on infielder Ben Cowles. This transaction fills the 40-man roster, for now. Cowles came to the Cubs, along with Jack Neely, in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade July 30, 2024. Neely pitched in six games for the […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 7 reads
After the Cubs’ trade deadline selloff in 2021, the team was left pretty much bereft of talent. The roster resembled a waiver wire list (and, in fact, quite a few had actually come via waivers). They had lost 10 of 12, including being swept by the White Sox, entering the last of a four-game series […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
For the most part, introducing a newly-signed star free agent is simply about the celebration. It’s a definitive moment – completely with the new jersey and cap – to enjoy that this guy is truly part of the Chicago Cubs. So it was today with Alex Bregman, and I’m ready to contemplate all the permutations of what the 2026 Cubs could and will be with Bregman in the fold.
That said, if you’re lucky, you also get a little bit of insight from these things. Maybe about the player. Maybe about t...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
At the introductory press conference today , Jed Hoyer mentioned off-hand that new Cub Alex Bregman had told him during the signing process that he’d committed to play in the World Baseball Classic and wanted to make sure that was going to be OK with the Cubs. He added, according to Hoyer, that he would come in those days and make sure he was still connecting with the guys in Spring Training. That’s how important that part is to him.
But, of course, it’s also important to represent your n...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
Alex Bregman was signed to a five-year, $175 million deal (with $70 million of that money deferred) by the Cubs this week, officially announced by the team on Wednesday. He made some appearances in town on arriving, attending Blackhawks and Bulls games, and the team introduced him at a press conference at Wrigley Field Thursday […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 12 reads
Having officially been signed by the Chicago Cubs to one of the largest contracts in franchise history, Alex Bregman is being introduced today via press conference at Wrigley Field. He’ll get his new number three jersey, some effusive things will be said, and we’ll all have an opportunity to enjoy a huge moment of the type we seem to only rarely get.
I also tentatively expect we’ll get some thoughts from the front office, not only on the Alex Bregman signing, but also the Edward Cabrera t...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 1 read
With all the infield rumors swirling and the Red Sox third base situation thrown in flux in the aftermath of Alex Bregman signing with the Cubs, Marcello Mayer’s role grows more interesting. He’s never played more than 91 games in a season, but boy does he look the part defensively whether you play him at […]
From Over the Monster
| about 2 months ago
| 3 reads
Get ready for a wave of new Chicago Cubs prospects.
Starting today, Major League Baseball organizations may finally make officially official the deals they’ve wink-wink had in place, in some cases, for years. International amateurs are eligible to sign for a portion of each club’s allotted (and hard-capped) bonus pool, officially becoming professional baseball players.
Although this period runs through December 15, most of the top prospects will sign today. Moreover, the Chicago Cubs...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 2 reads
Over the weekend, the Chicago Cubs made a free-agent splash that they haven’t made in some time when they signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal. It is the largest contract by average annual value in the Cubs’ history, and the third-largest in terms of total value, behind the eight-year deal […]
From Brew Crew Ball
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
I understand that the Cubs and the Giants are or have been ‘engaged’. I wish them long happy lives together. But I don’t think Nico Hoerner will be the ring-bearer. The idea has mileage because reputable people have talked about it, but the season was pretty silly before the meetings. I doubt Jeff Passan or […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 8 reads
It’s Wednesday evening here at BCB After Dark: the hippest hot spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. It’s good to see you. Everyone is welcome here. Come in out of the cold. We can check your coat for you. The hostess can seat you now. Bring your own beverage. […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
Former Atlanta Braves infielder Vidal Bruján was claimed off waivers today by the Minnesota Twins. He had been designated for assignment by the Braves on January 8, 2026. Atlanta claimed Bruján, 27, off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on August 8, 2025, just days after he’d been claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. He […]
From Talking Chop
| about 2 months ago
| 13 reads
It was about as big a weekend in Chicago sports as any of us have experienced since 2016. With all due respect to four playoff teams the Cubs have had since 2016 and the 2020-21 White Sox, they didn’t quite ignite the same frenzy in Chicagoland we saw on Saturday. First the Bears came back […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 7 reads
It won’t get the headlines of a major trade or free agent signing, but maneuvering within the Chicago Cubs’ front office is nevertheless very important. Every year in the offseason we see movement, sometimes departures, sometimes outside hires, often promotions, and this year, Tyler Zombro getting the bump to VP of Pitching isn’t the only move.
The Cubs have also announced that Garrett Chiado has been promoted to Assistant General Manager, joining Jared Banner and Ehsan Bokhari as the AGM...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
You know we’re getting closer to baseball when Spring Training report dates are made official by Major League Baseball and its teams. Cubs pitchers and catchers have an official report date of Wednesday, Feb. 11 — that’s just four weeks from now! The first full squad workout is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 16. Cubs position […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
Eric Sogard, who played one year for the Cubs as a spare-part infielder, was the last of three position players who pitched in a 10-0 loss to the Braves in Atlanta, April 28, 2021. We’ve looked at the others the last two days — Anthony Rizzo and Matt Duffy. Sogard entered to throw the bottom […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 3 reads
Another day, another discussion of Nico Hoerner trade rumors. I’m going to do this one a little differently than the last couple , because I want to make sure I’m getting the entire range of my thoughts on this subject out there. I have gone to great lengths for weeks to articulate why I believe the Cubs obviously have to listen on Hoerner, and also why the size of trade it would require is simply unlikely to happen. But I think I’ve still left a lot unsaid.
First, though, let me share th...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 3 reads
It’s done. The Chicago Cubs have signed third baseman Alex Bregman. Officially official, and he’s on the 40-man roster, which now stands at 39.
Bregman, 31, reportedly gets five years and $175 million, with deferrals that kick that annual rate down to about $30 million for luxury tax purposes. It is one of the largest deals in team history, however you “count” it, and means so very many things for the organization in the short-term and long-term.
Bregman will wear number 3 for the Cu...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 4 reads
All of us heard about the Cubs’ signing of Alex Bregman Saturday evening — right about the time the Bears were mounting their tremendous comeback win over the Packers. It was a great day for Chicago sports. This morning, the Cubs announced the signing of Bregman by press release. It contained the following information that […]
From Bleed Cubbie Blue
| about 2 months ago
| 7 reads
We are under a month from pitchers and catchers officially reporting to Spring Training, though obviously many guys have been there for a long time getting in their work …
Very good to see these lefties throwing:
A pair of southpaws getting in their throwing under the AZ sun in Cubs camp today. @J_Steele21 @Luke_L23 #Cubs pic.twitter.com/fI6Rzd8kgY — Rich Biesterfeld (@biest22) January 13, 2026
Justin Steele is rehabbing his elbow surgery, and our hopes are that he c...
From Bleacher Nation | Chicago Sports News, Rumors, and a Reasonable Level of Obsession
| about 2 months ago
| 3 reads