As far as Suzuki goes, I just have a feeling that after 2026, Cubs, if they don't trade him at deadline, they will let him go over offering him ARB for 2027 and at age 32, he may want to go back and finish playing in Japan for a couple seasons.
As of now, as far as position players goes, theyll have team control of for 2027.
Amaya, Ballesteros, Busch, Shaw, PCA
Swanson 28 mil and Kelly 1.5 mil are the only position players under contract for 2027, along with Boyd 2 mil as the only other player under contract. So as of now, theyll need 2B, LF, and RF for 2027
They can potentially spend more on ARB players, projected now at 139 mil, than contracted players for 2027..
I think it very possible as of now, that they extend Hoerner, hope Caissie an answer for an OF spot, and look to add from outside for the other OF spot.
2026 if they don't make changes this offseason, will be Shaw make or break year for 3B and also for finding out if Ballesteros and Caissie are future pieces or at least be given the opportunity to play everyday in 2027.