Chicago Cubs Interested In Zac Gallen, Miguel Andujar

[Matthew Lenz]

Over the weekend, Chicago Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins suggested that the franchise is willing to surpass the competitive balance tax threshold and pay luxury tax in the 2026 season, given the team's status as a contender. While it was initially thought that it would impact a potential return in a Matt Shaw or Nico Hoerner deal, recent reports suggest that the Cubs may not be done in free agency.

While on 670 The Score, Bruce Levine reported that talks between the Cubs and Zac Gallen are (still) "ongoing". It was erroneously reported over a month ago that the two sides had agreed to a deal. Additionally, Jon Heyman of the NY Post is reporting that the Cubs are one of many teams interested in utility man Miguel Andujar.

For a dive into Gallen, be sure to check out our own Matthew Trueblood's analysis from early December. We at Diamond Centric predict that Gallen will sign a four-year, $74 million deal.

On the other hand, Andujar is a new name in the fold. At 31 years old, Andujar is coming off his best season with a .822 OPS (125 wRC+) and 10 home runs. With the Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds, he played a little bit in each of the corner infield and corner outfield spots. The need for Andujar is questionable as the team is flush with versatile depth after acquiring Alex Bregman, Tyler Austin, and Justin Dean this offseason. However, Andujar would represent an upgrade over the latter two names.

Do you think the Cubs should sign either or both players? Let us know in the comments!

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[Bertz]

Andujar is completely straightforward.  The team is obviously fielding calls on Hoerner and Shaw and you have to have backup plan(s) ready in the case something comes together.  He's a 3B, just barely, so he'd in essence back up each of Swanson/Hoerner/Bregman.  You wouldn't feel comfortable with him getting extended time on the infield in case of an injury, but he could cover the 20-25 games those three would collectively miss over the course of an IL-free season.

Gallen's more curious.  I assume Gallen would essentially be "traded" for Taillon.  Is Jed being uncharacteristically agressive given the team's spot on the win curve?  Is this about heading off next winter's roster cliff?  Is Jed simply chasing a good deal?  Is this all BS being put out there because Boras' back is up against the wall?  I suspect it's the Boras desperation thing with a splash of Jed always being down for a good deal.  But regardless this is one of those times where you're glad to have a cold and dispassionate front office.

[Rcal10]

45 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Andujar is completely straightforward.  The team is obviously fielding calls on Hoerner and Shaw and you have to have backup plan(s) ready in the case something comes together.  He's a 3B, just barely, so he'd in essence back up each of Swanson/Hoerner/Bregman.  You wouldn't feel comfortable with him getting extended time on the infield in case of an injury, but he could cover the 20-25 games those three would collectively miss over the course of an IL-free season.

Gallen's more curious.  I assume Gallen would essentially be "traded" for Taillon.  Is Jed being uncharacteristically agressive given the team's spot on the win curve?  Is this about heading off next winter's roster cliff?  Is Jed simply chasing a good deal?  Is this all BS being put out there because Boras' back is up against the wall?  I suspect it's the Boras desperation thing with a splash of Jed always being down for a good deal.  But regardless this is one of those times where you're glad to have a cold and dispassionate front office.

How does Andujar back up Swanson or Hoerner when he can barely play 3rd? I think he takes Austin’s place, if anything. Which is why I am not sure of their interest. He would back up at 1st, play a little left and right field and be a right handed DH. 

[Bertz]

28 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

How does Andujar back up Swanson or Hoerner when he can barely play 3rd? I think he takes Austin’s place, if anything. Which is why I am not sure of their interest. He would back up at 1st, play a little left and right field and be a right handed DH. 

Alex Bregman can play 2B

[Rcal10]

30 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Alex Bregman can play 2B

He has played 9 games at 2nd in his major league career. And with the Red Sox having issues at 2nd and Devers on the team, Bregman didn’t play second. I doubt he would now. IMO if Andujar is signed he takes Austin’s place.

[Banks-Williams]

Cubs need someone like Brendan Donovan.  

They lost their utility man Willi Castro to the Rockies for $12 million.  The Cubs team needs a versatile player who can enable full time rotations in the infield and outfield. Otherwise Mr. Counsell will ruin his regulars in the July and August heat like he did in 2025. 

[PackLandVA]

^^^ I believe that's why they're trying Bote, errr, Shaw in the OF.

[Banks-Williams]

Hawkins made a huge mistake signing Bregman.  He blew out the Cubs’ budget when there was no need to replace Shaw.  Did Hawkins not watch the 2025 season games?  Shaw did a phenomenal jobs fielding at 3rd. His a gold glover for sure.  
 

Hawkins could have got Brendan Donovan — who would have been the perfect fit for the Cubs — but he spent all the Cubs money on a guy who is past his prime and hasn’t had great stats since the cheating years.  If Hawkins would have spent just $100k getting Shaw to stop the left foot movement, he’d have gotten a young all-star for a fraction of the Bregman dollars and could have had Donovan and a great reliever like Keller to boot.

Frankly I have no idea why Hawkins has that job.

[Gjfificifjdej]

5 minutes ago, Banks-Williams said:

Hawkins made a huge mistake signing Bregman.  He blew out the Cubs’ budget when there was no need to replace Shaw.  Did Hawkins not watch the 2025 season games?  Shaw did a phenomenal jobs fielding at 3rd. His a gold glover for sure.  
 

Hawkins could have got Brendan Donovan — who would have been the perfect fit for the Cubs — but he spent all the Cubs money on a guy who is past his prime and hasn’t had great stats since the cheating years.  If Hawkins would have spent just $100k getting Shaw to stop the left foot movement, he’d have gotten a young all-star for a fraction of the Bregman dollars and could have had Donovan and a great reliever like Keller to boot.

Frankly I have no idea why Hawkins has that job.

Yeah pack it up big dawg wtf is this

[Rcal10]

33 minutes ago, Gjfificifjdej said:

Yeah pack it up big dawg wtf is this

It is just his annual rant on Bregman. We get it, he doesn’t like Bregman because he cheated.