Paul Niemiec

With roughly a week and change left in April, and roughly 90% of the MLB regular season left to go, it’s time to check in on how the rest of the NL Central is doing. As of 4/21, here are the current standings: Reds: 15-8 Pirates: 13-9 Cubs: 13-9 Cardinals: 13-9 Brewers: 12-9 The Cubs were middling to begin the season, but with the bats propelling them to a series win in Philadelphia, and a sweep of the spiraling Mets over the weekend, they are right back in the thick of things. The only caveat now is the state of the rest of the division, which does not have a team below .500. Even the Cardinals, who were thought to be the bottom dweller this season, have gotten off to a nice start. The technically third-place Cubs are still favorites to win the division, but this season is going to be much more of a gauntlet than originally anticipated, even after Milwaukee and St. Louis made some major subtractions from their rosters over the offseason. Here is a brief look at how the Cubs’ divisional rivals have fared so far. Cubs' NL Central Opponent Check-In Cincinnati Reds The Reds, who made the playoffs last season, are leading the division despite a -3 run differential. Coming off a sweep of the formerly red-hot Minnesota Twins, the team still sits dead last in baseball in wRC+ and batting average. The pitching staff as a whole has a 4.54 xERA, which ranks 24th in the league. Their top two starting pitchers, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, have not thrown a pitch yet, and both have ambiguous injury outlooks at this point. Both should be in the rotation at some point this season, but it is unclear when that will be. Still, the Reds are winning games, although they have not played a team with a current record over .500 besides the Pirates. What’s working: The Reds have exactly two things going right for them on offense: Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart. De La Cruz has already reached 1.0 WAR on the young season, with an .859 OPS, six home runs, and five stolen bases. Stewart is doing even better, with a team-leading .978 OPS, seven home runs, and 19 RBI. The 22-year-old is looking like an early frontrunner for the NL ROY award up to this point in the season. After a few seasons with a revolving door at first base, the Reds look like they have another star at the position, their first since Joey Votto retired. Christian Encarnacion-Strand was traded to Baltimore last week, leaving Stewart with little to no competition for playing time, especially with new/old friend Eugenio Suarez taking over the primary DH role. De La Cruz is one of the most exciting young players in the game, but he needed a dependable bat in the lineup to take some weight off his shoulders, and now it looks like he has that. On the pitching side, they’ve gotten quality work out of former first-round pick Rhett Lowder as well as Chase Burns. In the bullpen, Brock Burke, Conor Phillips, Graham Ashcraft and Sam Moll all have ERAs under 3.00, with Tony Santillan yet to give up a run in his 10 innings pitched. Their number 10 organizational prospect Jose Franco has made his debut in the bullpen, and No. 7 prospect Chase Petty is waiting in the wings. If this group can hold things together on the mound until Lodolo and Greene return, the Reds will suddenly have a deep pitching staff going into the second half of the season. What’s not working: The Reds’ offense and pitching rank toward the bottom of MLB in many statistics, and this is because any player I have not mentioned by name yet is off to a rough start. Here is a list of all the players on the Reds with at least 30 plate appearances that are hitting under .200: Tyler Stephenson, Matt McClain, KeBryan Hayes (hitting .058), T.J. Friedl, Noelvi Marte and Will Benson. Another mind blowing offensive stat for this team so far is that outside of the aforementioned Stewart, De La Cruz, Suarez, and Stephenson (due to fielding), not a single player has a positive WAR. The Reds have hitters who have been exciting before in McClain, Spencer Steer and Nathaniel Lowe, but there is definitely something in the water at Great American Ballpark that is causing such an offensive funk for most of the roster. Granted, there is no way this lineup should be this bad the rest of the season, since it is almost identical to the lineup that got them to the post season a year ago. Pitchers Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer are due for some positive regression at some point as well, since both have proven they are better than an ERA over five. The scary thing here for Cubs fans is that this Reds club has had serious problems on both sides of the ball, and is still 15-8. Once they get going, they might be viewed as the biggest threat to the Cubs in the division. Pittsburgh Pirates: We’ve seen this happen in recent memory, but how real is it this time? The Buccos finished April of 2023 with a 13-9 record before the wheels fell off. This team does have a different vibe to it, however. They have the best pitcher in the world in Paul Skenes. 20-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin has made his debut right after signing an extension. Oneil Cruz finally looks like a key offensive piece, and newly acquired Brandon Lowe is mashing with seven home runs. Last season, Pirates starters finished sixth in ERA, and this season, they are currently second at 2.81. Pitching will be a strength as long as Skenes is healthy, but the question once again will be the perennially suspect offense. What’s working: As previously mentioned, the Pirates have one of the highest-upside, young starting staffs in the game. Interestingly enough, Skenes’ 3.27 ERA is the highest of their five starters. 2025 top prospect Bubba Chandler is the only other starter sporting an ERA above 3.00, as Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft are below 3.00. Cameron Mlodzinski, who has quietly been one of the more consistent arms around since 2023, has a dazzling 1.77 ERA through four starts. Jared Jones threw a live bullpen last week and should be joining the rotation sometime in June. The bullpen quartet of Dennis Santana, Yohan Ramirez, Isaac Mattson, and Gregory Soto have been the bright spots in a bullpen that is more good than great to this point. Hunter Barco, who has pitched briefly in the majors this season before being optioned, is one of their higher ranked prospects and should be up again soon. If the offense, which ranks top 10 in runs scored, batting average, home runs, wRC+, and most other categories, is able to stay consistent enough through 162 games, this team could easily win the division. Outside of Cruz and Lowe, free-agent addition Ryan O’Hearn is hitting .329 with a .960 OPS. With Andrew McCutchen in Texas after his somewhat controversial exit, Bryan Reynolds, having been with the team since 2019, is the veteran leader and is enjoying a nice .809 OPS after his substandard 2025. They’re also getting solid contributions from role players Jake Mangum, Spencer Horwitz, and the Nicks: Gonzales and Yorke. Konnor Griffin is not off to the hottest start at the plate, but he has five hits in his last four games, and could be turning a corner. New veteran DH Marcell Ozuna is also seeing the ball better with a pair of homers in the last week, after starting the season ice cold. What’s not working: This is a hard question for this team, because nearly everything seems to be working. Yes, Griffin hasn’t been great through his first few weeks, but the rest of the lineup is getting the job done. They do need a catcher, as 2021 number one overall pick Henry Davis is looking more and more like a bust. Last season, Davis was usurped by another former top prospect Joey Bart, but now they are hitting both under .200. Their No. 9 prospect Rafael Flores made his debut last season, and could fit into the equation this season, but he is hitting .208 with Triple-A Indianapolis. In fact, none of their top prospects in Triple-A are hitting at all, as Jhostynxon Garcia and Termarr Johnson have averages under .160. The Buccos better hope their group at the MLB level can continue to hit, because there doesn’t seem to be a lot of hope in the upper minors right now. There were questions defensively after Cruz had a terrible opening weekend in center field, and O’Hearn was signed to be a makeshift outfielder, but they have been okay, if not better than anticipated. Overall, the vibes are as good as they’ve been in over a decade at PNC Park, so let’s check back later to see how they’re holding up. St. Louis Cardinals The Cardinals were never supposed to be a main character for the 2026 season. They sold veterans Sonny Gray, Nolan Arenado, and Willson Contreras and were set on rebuilding, as their only “significant” addition was RHP Dustin May. Yet, here they are, tied with the Cubs, albeit with a -10 run differential. Cubs fans know the Redbirds have always found a way to remain competitive, and while this is the weakest roster in the division on paper, that could change quickly if some of the early results prove to be no fluke. What’s working: Former top prospect Jordan Walker leads the NL in home runs with eight and all of baseball in WAR with 1.8. He is hitting .305 with a 1.013 OPS and is finally looking like the offensive force he was projected to be. Still only 24 years old, this looks like the breakout Cardinals fans have been waiting for, and if he ends up being the new offensive face of the team for the next half decade, St. Louis will yet again hold one of the best hitters in baseball. Alec Burleson has seemingly found his home at first base after bouncing around from the infield to outfield over his first few seasons. He is hitting .280 with an .820 OPS with more walks than strikeouts. Former seventh overall pick J.J. Wetherholt made his debut on Opening Day and has a .750 OPS, which is third on the team. The pitching has been a bigger question mark, but they have a few young arms off to hot starts, who are auditioning for their role on the present and future Cardinals staffs. Although he is not striking hitters out, righty Michael McGreevy leads the team with a 2.49 ERA in four starts. Andre Pallante and Matthew Liberatore have been solid contributors as well, and should improve as the season progresses. The real treasure here on the Cards’ pitching staff is closer Riley O’Brien. The 31-year-old righty is building off a breakout 2025, where he pitched to a 2.06 ERA in 48 innings. He hasn’t given up a run this season in 12 1/3 innings and has a K/9 over ten. JoJo Romero has also been serviceable in the back end of the bullpen, with a 2.25 ERA. Likewise, 2021 fifth-round draft pick Gordon Graceffo has an ERA under 1.00 in his 10 2/3 innings pitched. Breakout rookie Matt Svanson was their best reliever last season, but has struggled so far in 2026. If he can reign in the walks (7.6/9), he would go a long way toward improving on their 25th-ranked bullpen xERA. In terms of reinforcements on the prospect lists, slugging outfielder Joshua Baez and pitchers Jurrangelo Cijntje and Quinn Mathews should see regular playing time before the season ends. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar should be back by late May or early June, which will certainly improve the offense as well. What’s not working: The underlying stats for the offense (sixth in WAR, 13th in wRC+, 15th in batting average) show that the Redbirds could produce at least league-average offense throughout the whole year, but the pitching is a different story. They have the worst team K/9 in the game at 6.38, and they’re also in the bottom third in the league in BB/9. Free-agent addition Dustin May has given up 15 earned runs in 19 1/3 innings but has an FIP under four, signaling some positive regression could be looming. Kyle Leahy, on the other hand, has an FIP close to six, and does not at all resemble the guy who was one of their most important starters last season. They’ve also gotten lucky, being 5-0 in extra innings, and 5-0 in one run games. O’Brien deserves credit where it's due, but he is not exactly a proven big league arm. The Cards will need a quick turnaround from veteran Ryne Stanek in order to continue winning close contests. Milwaukee Brewers: The defending NL Central champs started the season hot; they swept the White Sox to open the season and followed that up with series victories against the Rays and Royals. Then, they hit a skid on a road trip to the East, where they lost the second and third games of their series in Boston, and were swept by the Nationals. They had a nice rebound last week, winning both series against the spiraling AL champion Blue Jays and the scrappy, but still meh, Marlins. The offense that carried them last season has been middle of the pack in nearly any category you can name, and the pitching is very average as well. The Brewers started slower last year, and came roaring back, much to the dismay of Cubs fans everywhere. With reigning Manager of the Year Pat Murphy at the controls, and young ace Jacob Misiorowski leading the starting staff, there are still many reasons to bet on the Crew again. What’s working: Misiorowski is leading baseball with 42 strikeouts, which is helping fans forget that former ace Freddy Peralta is on the Mets. Brandon Woodruff is having a nice start to the year as well, in what he is surely hoping is going to be his first fully healthy season in a few years. The veteran pitching on the qualifying offer has a 3.42 ERA in his four starts. Speaking of ERA, Chad Patrick’s is under 1.00 in 19 innings pitched. Kyle Harrison, a former top-100 prospect, seems comfortable in his third organization in under a year. The bullpen hasn’t been nearly as effective, but DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and Grant Anderson have kept the group afloat. Offensively, William Contreras and Bryce Turang are each hitting over .300, with Turang’s .437 OBP leading the NL. Garrett Mitchell has an OPS exceeding .800, and Gary Sanchez is tied with Jake Bauers for the team lead in home runs with five. Jackson Chourio is expected back sometime in May, which will be a much-needed boost to this lineup. What’s not working: The Brewers have a few key contributors not working right now. Christian Yelich just hit the IL and is expected to miss about a month. Andrew Vaughn has been out since Opening Day, and pitchers Quinn Priester, Craig Yoho, and Jared Koenig are all out as well. Injuries are a part of the game, and the Brewers are good at finding replacements, but they need Chourio, Yelich, and Vaughn in the lineup as much as possible because they have some guys who are not hitting. Joey Ortiz is hitting below the Mendoza line, along with Sal Frelick, but with Ortiz, it's looking more and more evident that his ceiling is that of a weak hitter. The Luis Rengifo third baseman strategy is flat out not working, as he is currently worth -0.3 WAR while hitting .167. Too bad their other newly acquired infielder, David Hamilton, is also hitting sub-.200, while top prospects Jett Williams and extension recipient Cooper Pratt are struggling in Triple, so it looks like Rengifo is the answer for the foreseeable future. They’re in need of their bullpen reinforcements too, as prospect Brandon Sproat has given up 13 earned runs and already been moved out of the rotation. The biggest issue in their pen is closer Trevor Megill, who has been brutal to start the season. He has an ERA over 10.00 while giving up eight earned runs, while last season, he gave up 13 earned runs in total. With an offense that is not nearly as potent as it was a season ago, the Brewers can’t afford to be coughing up leads late in games.

The injured list keeps getting longer for the Chicago Cubs. The focus over the past few weeks has been the starting rotation—mainly the news that righthander Cade Horton will be out for the remainder of the season. The impact of an injury to a pitcher like Horton, who was on his way to being one of the top young starters in the game, is massive for the Cubs, who lack a true ace. Now, the bullpen is being ripped apart, too, by a series of injuries over the last week or so. Free-agent additions Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey are both on the 15-day IL, and so is Ethan Roberts. On Wednesday, we found out that Porter Hodge will be joining Cade Horton on the injured list for the rest of the season, due to UCL surgery. Though the jury was out on how much Hodge could actually be counted on this season, losing him for the season in mid-April will present the Cubs with another depth-related challenge. After a breakout rookie season in 2024 wherein the 23-year-old posted a 1.88 ERA (2.75 FIP) with a WHIP under 0.90 in 43 innings pitched, he was set to be one of the team’s high-leverage relievers last year. In fact, before the 2025 season started, the armchair general managers in the Cubs subreddit were debating on whether the Ryan Pressly trade made sense, suggesting Hodge should be the answer in the ninth inning. Even though walks were probably always going to be a point of concern, the 6-foot-4 righty boasted a fastball that could touch the upper 90s, and a wipeout slider that made the 2019 13th-round pick a potential weapon for a bullpen lacking a shutdown option. Relief pitching was a strength for the Cubs in 2025, with the bullpen finishing 11th in baseball with an ERA of 3.78. However, Hodge was a surprising non-factor, as he dealt with various injuries, pitching 33 innings in the majors with a ghastly 6.27 ERA. He still missed bats, as evident by his near 11 K/9, but he was hit around otherwise, giving up nine home runs in that small sample. Injuries aside, his fastball and slider velocity were a tick up from 2024, giving Cubs fans hope that Hodge could still overpower hitters, and would eventually work his way back into the pen. He had not yet thrown a pitch in 2026 before we got the news of this latest injury, which will certainly cost him not only 2026, but some of the 2027 season, too. The good news is that he's still pre-arbitration, so he remains a long-term option, but the club hanging onto him is no guarantee. The Cubs have one of the hardest bullpens to project, based on their affinity for making plenty of low-risk signings, so there is a non-zero chance that we have seen Hodge for the last time as a Cub. Moving forward, the Cubs are going to have to find more serviceable right-handed relief options. With all the injuries that have unfolded already, the Cubs are carrying a whopping five lefties in their bullpen: Caleb Thielbar and Hoby Milner have been around since Opening Day, but now, Luke Little is back, along with Ryan Rolison and rookie Riley Martin. Ben Brown has been a nice revelation as a full-time reliever so far, closer Daniel Palencia has not allowed an earned run, and Colin Rea has carried over the effectiveness from last season. Now with Rea needing to join the rotation, another right-handed relief option is gone. Jacob Webb is active, but his ERA is north of 5.00, and the only other righty on the 40-man roster is Gavin Hollowell and his negative career WAR. He's hurt, too, though less severely; he just hit the 7-day IL for Iowa. The 9-9 Cubs can sit tight and hope this lefty-heavy group can hold their own until Maton, Harvey and Roberts are back, but the chase for the NL Central crown is looking a lot tougher with the way Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have opened their seasons. The Cubs will be shopping for relievers come July, but they might need new faces in this group before then. The problem is, they don't have a ton of promising options. As for prospects, Jaxon Wiggins might be up at some point this summer, but his services could be needed in the thinned-out rotation. Their next-best pitching prospect is 19-year-old Kaleb Wing, the club’s No. 12 prospect, according to mlb.com. There is one interesting option who sits on their top 30 prospect list: 26-year-old Grant Kipp, who has thrown 8 1/3 scoreless innings to open the season with Knoxville. He is not an overpowering arm, but what he’s done so far has worked. What’s wrong with riding the hot hand? Out west in Des Moines, there’s not a whole lot to be excited about from righties. There is a 30-year-old, 6-foot-8 reliever named Gabe Klobotsits, who has a 2.08 ERA. Former top prospect turned journeyman Vince Velazquez is trying to make the majors for the first time since 2023 and has the fourth-lowest WHIP on the team (1.05), trailing Paul Campbell, Zac Leigh, and, you guessed it, Gabe Klobosits. The cupboard is bare. Free agency is just as grim, but maybe they can pry Jorge Lopez away from the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican league. Flamethrower Michael Kopech is still out there, but he’s coming off a season wherein he only pitched 11 innings due to injuries and still isn’t healthy. Guys are hitting the waiver wire all the time, and the Cubs shouldn’t be doomed once some of these arms start coming back, but the Hodge injury is a huge blow to their right-handed bullpen depth, something that could be foreseen as an issue this whole season. If there is one silver lining to playing the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers over their next three series, it is that those lineups are built around their stud lefty hitters, giving the lefty-heavy bullpen a bit of an advantage. They will need to figure out what to do when they head to San Diego at the end of the month and face off against Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts.

It isn’t even halfway through April, and the Chicago Cubs’ pitching depth is already noticeably depleted. We got the news last week that the Cubs would be without sophomore starter Cade Horton for the rest of the season, due to a UCL injury. That came after the team placed Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd on the 15-day IL with a biceps strain. Before the season, the Cubs had some of the better rotation depth in baseball. Horton and Boyd were set to lead the rotation, with Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Edward Cabrera to follow. Swingman extraordinaire Colin Rea was in the bullpen, but could easily slot into the rotation. The underrated, dependable Javier Assad was stashed in Triple-A, along with top prospect Jaxon Wiggins. Oh, and their ace lefty, Justin Steele, would be showing up midseason. Now, what looked like a deep group has thinned out substantially, and there might be a need for outside reinforcement. It's not just Boyd and Horton. Top offseason relief additions Phil Maton and Hunter Harvey are already on the shelf. Jordan Wicks and Porter Hodge have been sidelined since February. Wiggins has a sore arm. Even some of the way-down-the-list guys in Iowa are out of commission. Well, there is one right-handed pitcher who posted 2.1 bWAR last season and remains unsigned: veteran starter Lucas Giolito. Last season with Boston, he pitched to a 3.41 ERA in 145 innings, but with a more worrisome 4.17 FIP and fanGraphs xERA of 5.01, signaling his good results were a bit better than his actual performance. His 19.7% strikeout rate was his lowest since 2018, before he turned the corner and became a mid-rotation workhorse for the White Sox. Last season marked his return to the mound after a second Tommy John surgery that cost him 2024. Due to that injury, and his age (31), there is more than enough reason to believe that Giolito can be better in 2026—but also enough uncertainty hanging over him to keep his market tepid. So why has he not been signed? There seems to be a pretty large disconnect between what Giolito thinks he's worth and what teams are comfortable paying him. He turned down a $19-million option with the Red Sox, certainly thinking he could secure a longer-term pact. Now that the season has begun, that gamble is looking more and more foolish by the week, especially considering the lack of success for pitchers who sign after Opening Day. No projections have him pitching to an ERA better than 4.50 for 2026, so he's not headed for a multi-year payday or anything. It seems unlikely, though, that he'll play for less than an eight-figure (prorated) salary. Robert Murray of FanSided said the Cubs are “most likely” to move forward with their internal options instead of pursuing Giolito, but if his price tag comes down, then the Cubs should seriously consider the addition. At this point in his career, he's not exactly a sexy addition to the front half of a rotation, but he could provide competitive innings. Imanaga looks great this year so far, but he had injury issues a season ago. Boyd and Cabrera have each spent an unfortunately large portion of their careers on the IL, and Steele is returning from a serious injury that cost him nearly all of last season. This need already feels pressing, and it's likely to get worse, not better. Though Giolito was mostly healthy last season, he was scratched in the postseason due to more elbow troubles, so there is still an injury risk here. But who else can the Cubs turn to? It's (probably) too early in the season for the trade market to take shape, and the remaining free agents not named Giolito include Nestor Cortes, Jon Gray, old friend Marcus Stroman, Alex Cobb and Frankie Montas. Giolito is younger and coming off a better season than all five of those other pitchers, so for the right price, he is really the only legitimate option who can slide into a rotation in the next month—if, indeed, even he can. As of today, the Cubs are 7-8, good for last place in the NL Central. The main focus has been an anemic offense. It's too early to start waiving the red flags with that group, which is just getting up to speed, but it's not too early to explore pitching depth in a depleted rotation. Last year, the Cubs' chief rivals found Quinn Priester in a seemingly desperate April trade to patch holes in their own rotation. The Cubs don't have the Brewers' organizational depth or acuity in moves like those, though, so they have to more seriously consider an expensive alternative.

The Chicago Cubs wrapped up their second home series of the season earlier this week, taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels. This early season bout between interleague non-rivals has two points of trivial significance. The first being that the Angels were the Cubs’ opening series of the 2016 season, although that one was in Anaheim. Ten years later, the Cubs are back in a competitive window and have taken advantage of perennially rebuilding Angels squad to jump start 2026. The second point, one that I will be diving into here, has to do with the Angels’ DH: old friend Jorge Soler. The Cuban outfielder and designated hitter defected from Cuba in 2011 and made his debut for the Cubs as a 22-year-old in 2014. He was one of the first prospects called up that would eventually lead them to the 2016 World Series. He was also part of a massive trade following the 2016 season; just over a month after the championship was won, Soler was traded to the Kansas City Royals for their two-time All Star closer Wade Davis, who was hand-picked to replace Aroldis Chapman. At the time, Davis was coming off a year where he transitioned into being a full-time closer, saving 27 games and posting an elite-level ERA of 1.87. Though Davis was a one-year rental, the Cubs needed a proven, high-leverage arm at the back end of the bullpen to properly defend their title. Davis ended up being worth every penny during his lone season in Chicago. He saved 32 games with a 2.30 ERA, struck out 79 hitters in under 60 innings pitched, and made his third consecutive All-Star team. Most notably, he carried the team on his back for 2 1/3 innings to close out game 5 of the NLDS versus the Nationals. After the season, he signed a three-year contract with the Rockies, where he pitched about as well as you’d imagine for a Colorado reliever not named Brian Fuentes. Although the Cubs did not repeat as World Series champs in 2017, that season represents the last time the Cubs had a closer with 30 saves. It has been eight campaigns and counting that the Cubs have been looking for an anchor in the ninth inning. To give them credit, they signed frequently injured flamethrower Brandon Morrow to replace Davis, and he did save 22 games while battling injuries in 2018. In 2019, Craig Kimbrel came aboard in what would eventually become the last major free agent splash orchestrated by Theo Epstein. Kimbrel’s 23 saves in 2021 before his deadline trade to the White Sox represents the highest of any Cubs’ closer since Davis in 2017. His 3.22 ERA with the Cubs from 2019-2021 was a far cry from his time in Atlanta and Boston, but he’s still the only player to lead the Cubs in saves for more than one year since the Hector Rondon days. His tenure remains somewhat forgettable since it happened during the span that we saw the championship core eventually disband, but he was at least a reliable ninth-inning fireman. After Kimbrel was traded and the Epstein era officially ended, we began to see the Jed Hoyer bargain-bin bullpen approach, which is still alive today. After the 2021 roster blow up, it did not make sense to pay for any difference-making relievers. Then. 37-year-old David Robertson joined the bullpen in 2022, saving 14 games, which lead the team, before being traded to the Phillies. That started the Cubs trend of bringing in a few different veterans with closing experience and hoping one of them can hold onto the job. Former Orioles closer Mychal Givens, as well as Chris Martin, were also in the bullpen that season. In 2023, former closer Brad Boxberger and former-top-prospect-turned-reliever Michael Fulmer were meant to compete for the closer job; instead, it ended up going to the first in-house candidate since Hector Rondon. Adbert Alzolay saved 22 games with a 2.67 ERA, and gave the fans a reason to be excited about the 2024 bullpen. The optimism lasted a few weeks, as Alzolay was booted from the closer role before the calendar even turned to May. Arm issues took him out for the rest of 2024 that he suffered in May, and he has not pitched in the majors since. The 2024 Cubs saves leader ended up being veteran Hector Neris with 17, but there was another homegrown reliever making his presence felt: right-hander Porter Hodge. Hodge converted nine saves with a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings and was giving fans the same sense of optimism heading into last season. Instead, the injury bug bit yet again and he regressed to an ERA over 6.00 in only 33 innings. Hodge was never penciled in as the closer, however, as the Cubs made a trade with the Astros to acquire two-time All-Star Ryan Pressly. The problem with Pressly was that he was 36 years old and undeniably washed by the time he made his way to Chicago. After being pulled from the closer role in early May, he was eventually released before the trade deadline. He totaled five saves in his last season before retiring. Now, the buck seemingly has stopped here with the 2025 Cubs saves leader and 2026 WBC champion Daniel Palencia. Team Venezuela’s closer was a mid-range prospect for the Cubs after being acquired in the 2021 Andrew Chafin trade and pitched sparingly in the majors from 2023-2024. As aforementioned, he was not meant to be the closer last season, but Craig Counsell trusted Palencia’s triple-digit fastball enough to replace the out-of-gas Pressly. For the 2025 postseason, he was used as the first reliever out of the pen, with Brad Keller closing out the games. With Keller on the Phillies, Palencia is the only reliever with any closing experience for 2026. Over the first six games of the season, he has no saves (hasn’t had an opportunity) but has not allowed a run in four innings pitched. In those appearances, he has shown more confidence and poise on the mound, which could be attributed to closing out the WBC for Venezuela’s upset win. That injury bug remains a pesky problem, but there's no denying that Palencia has the bravado to finally cross that 30-save threshold... assuming the Cubs can give him enough opportunities to get there.

The Chicago Cubs officially have one of the better first basemen in baseball, the first time they can say that since the departure of Anthony Rizzo back in 2021. Things seemed bleak at first base for some time; we saw Frank Schwindel and Patrick Wisdom for too long. Past-their-prime veterans Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini were supposed to be the bridge to slugging prospect Matt Mervis, but he is long gone as well. Most were a bit stumped prior to the 2024 season when the Cubs traded teenage pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and top outfield prospect Zyhir Hope for an aging prospect without a clear defensive position. Then, when they almost immediately announced he would be transitioning to first, it made their outlook even more confusing. Michael Busch was regarded as one of best hitters of the 2019 draft when the Dodgers selected him out of UNC with the 31st overall pick. He made his debut in 2023 and hit .167 in 81 plate appearances while playing a subpar second and third base. Going into 2024, the Dodgers had Busch, Kike Hernandez, Miguel Vargas, Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux and Miguel Rojas competing for work in the infield behind Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy. Although Busch was expendable at that point, he was still the 51st ranked prospect in baseball, and would become the Cubs’ number four organizational prospect behind Cade Horton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Owen Caissie. Fast-forward two seasons and now Busch is picking up down-ballot MVP votes and leading the Cubs in home runs. First starting off as a platoon player, Busch began starting everyday early in 2025 and is one of the set-it-and-forget-it players in the lineup. Chicago Cubs First Basemen At A Glance Starter: Michael Busch Backup: Tyler Austin (On IL), Jonathon Long Depth: Moises Ballesteros, Owen Miller (minors), Christian Bethancourt (minors) Prospects: B.J. Murray The Good: Well, Michael Busch is pretty darn good. The 28-year-old lefty broke out massively in 2025, slashing .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs, 90 RBIs, and serving as the leadoff hitter for the Cubs’ first postseason run since 2020. You’d have to go back all the way to 2019 when Kyle Schwarber hit 38 homers to find a higher total than Busch’s. His 4.6 WAR was tied for third on the team, trailing only Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner. As for first basemen league-wide, he was tied with Bryce Harper and only trailed Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Pete Alonso. Under the hood, the statcast numbers show a player who is blossoming into one of the top offensive forces in the game. His average exit velocity of 92.2 was tied for 18th in baseball, his barrel percentage of 17.1 was 11th, and he finished 10th in xwOBA at .378. In a game where luck is certainly a factor, Busch is showing consistent, quality contact that cannot be considered a fluke. In fact, Busch’s wOBA of .369 shows he was a little unlucky last season. Defensively, Busch posted a .996 fielding percentage and 2 DRS that placed top six amongst MLB first basemen. He is not going to win four gold gloves like Rizzo, but he will make the routine plays while bailing out a few bad throws from the Cubs' excellent infield. For 2026, Busch is an integral part of a lineup that is half proven veterans and young studs who need to establish themselves as bona fide contributors. He is the team’s most important left-handed bat who will be relied upon to play 150+ games again (he played in 155 last season). The Bad: Did you notice how the entire previous section only mentioned Michael Busch? That is because he is the the majority of what is good about the Cubs’ first base situation. Across the infield, Matt Shaw is lined up to backup at any of the three other spots, with top prospect Pedro Ramirez looking close to MLB ready. In the outfield, Kevin Alcantara is deserving of an extended look, if one of the starters goes down. But first base? It really seems like Busch or bust, since offseason signee Tyler Austin will be missing the first month or more of the season. Even if Austin was healthy to start the year, he's still a 34-year-old with 0.9 career WAR, who hasn’t played in the majors since 2019. He’s had a cumulative .945 OPS in the NPB over the last six seasons, but banking on any sort of production in his return stateside is wishful thinking. After Austin, the cupboard runs bare very quickly. Craig Counsell’s old friend Owen Miller is down in the minors and has first base experience. He went 8-30 this spring and brings an extra element of speed to the table. One-game wonder Christian Bethancourt is back with the organization and has enough experience at the cold corner to be considered another unexciting option. Moises Ballesteros played four innings of first base last season, but is currently penciled in as the starting DH. From a fan’s perspective, the most exciting option if Busch were to miss time would be prospect Jonathan Long. The Long Beach State alum is coming off an excellent AAA season where he hit .305 with an .883 OPS and 20 homers, but needs to hit the ball in the air more to reach his power potential. Long sits outside of the top 100 MLB prospects and has a long-term outlook of being a potential role player, rather than a difference maker in the middle of the lineup. The point here is that Busch needs to stay healthy or else there becomes a massive hole in the lineup. The Bottom Line: There are depth questions here after Busch, but the Cubs have an ascending star at first base. Even if his home run total isn’t as high as last season, the Cubs are counting on their leadoff hitter to propel them back to the postseason. In terms of his contract, he is still pre-arbitration and has four years of team control remaining. There are few other first basemen in baseball producing like Busch and not taking up a huge portion of their team’s payroll. He won’t be this cheap forever, so fans need to enjoy this while it lasts. First base is a position of strength for the Cubs again.

With Opening Day a couple weeks away, the Chicago Cubs have some key roster decisions looming. The starting lineup is generally set, and will look a lot like it did last season, but with Alex Bregman replacing Kyle Tucker in either the two or three hole. Here, we are going to look at the Cubs’ outlook at designated hitter for the 2026 season. Last season, Seiya Suzuki started 102 games at DH, with Kyle Tucker taking over in the playoffs after a hairline fracture in his hand was revealed in August. Justin Turner made some starts as a DH, as well as rookie catcher Moises Ballesteros. Since the DH was introduced in the NL in 2020, then again permanently in 2022, the Cubs have used the spot as a way to get players off their feet or mitigate injury risk. Suzuki’s 2025 marks the only time a single player has started over 100 games at the position. With the departure of Tucker, Suzuki is currently pencilled in as the starting right fielder, and the DH will likely revert to a position of flexibility for Craig Counsell. As of now, FanGraphs.com projects a platoon situation for the Cubs, with Ballesteros getting the lion’s share of starts against righties, while Suzuki getting the starts against southpaws (with newly trained outfielder Matt Shaw taking care of right field). Alex Bregman, who turns 32 at the end of this month, will also get work there to allow the defensive-minded Shaw to return to the infield. The rest of the field could include the other catchers, Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly, since Ballesteros will also get time behind the plate. Tyler Austin will be back into the mix at some point mid-season following knee surgery, and Michael Conforto was added to the room weeks ago, although on a minor-league deal. Cubs Designated Hitters At A Glance Starters: Moises Ballesteros/Seiya Suzuki Backup: Alex Bregman Depth: Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly, Michael Conforto, Tyler Austin Prospects: Jonathan Long, B.J. Murray The Good: Ballesteros is the Cubs’ number one organizational prospect, and baseball’s 55th ranked prospect according to Mlb.com. The 5-foot-8 22-year-old impressed in 20 games last season, hitting .298 with an .868 OPS, and will get the first crack out of camp. The Cubs seemed like a destination for another bat outside of Bregman, but the front office clearly does not want to block Ballesteros for another year. He has a .289 cumulative batting average across five minor-league seasons and has nothing left to prove. He'll likely bat in the bottom third, which is a lower pressure spot that should allow him to get more comfortable in the big leagues without feeling like he needs to be a top contributor in the lineup right away. FGDC projections are a bit light in terms of games played, at 84, with a slash line of .264/.327/.400; not a bad season by any means, but he seems capable of more. Ballesteros has only four major-league at bats against lefties, which would be too coincidental to not be by design. This brings us to the right-handed tandem of this platoon, Seiya Suzuki. He is going to play nearly everyday (when healthy), splitting between right field and DH. Fresh off a 32-homer campaign, Suzuki is as good of a bet as anyone to repeat those numbers, as he is coming into a contract year at 31 years old. His exit velocity has remained consistent to the rest of his career, but a launch angle improvement in 2025 caused by his barrel rate jump to 16.6%, which ranked 12th in the majors, portends some good days ahead. With Suzuki as a DH in the middle of the lineup against lefties, Shaw, who smashed lefties to the tune of an .808 OPS last year, should be a productive hitter in the bottom of the lineup. Areas of Concern: Ballesteros’ 50-grade power could eventually evolve into 20-plus homers, but he’s going to need to start hitting the ball in the air more. His high batting average and OPS in his major-league sample last season masked a ground ball rate of 62.2%. Even before the call-up, his ground ball rate was hovering close to 50% in 114 Triple-A games. His improved exit velocity and hard-hit rate are not going to translate to as much success if he cannot lift the ball more consistently. He is not exactly a burner out of the batter's box either, so this could also mean double plays galore for opposing defenses. If Ballesteros can improve on his 0.8 degree launch angle that he showed in the majors, and starts hitting more balls in the air and over the wall, it would go a long way in assuring the Cubs can finish near the top of baseball in home runs again. Last season, Suzuki, Michael Busch, and PCA topped 30 home runs for the first time in their careers. How safe is it to expect those numbers again? Especially in the case of PCA, whose power surge was as unexpected as any in baseball. Alex Bregman is more of an all-around hitter than a pure power hitter. For the team that finished sixth in baseball in home runs last season, there’s a lot of variables going into 2026. If Ballesteros continues to struggle with lifting the ball, and home run regression happens from any of the three 30-homer hitters a season ago, there could be instant regret in not bringing in a more established home run hitter at the DH spot. As for a Ballesteros backup plan: Michael Conforto and Dylan Carlson have been tearing up spring training, and first base prospect Jonathan Long should be ready for the majors after he returns from injury. Now here’s the bad news: Although he launched 20 homers with the Giants in 2024, the 33-year-old Conforto has not been a difference making bat since he hit .322 with a 2.1 WAR in the 60-game 2020 season. Carlson has never lived up to his top prospect pedigree to this point in his career and spent the last two seasons bouncing around, playing sparingly. Though Long offers intrigue as an offensive prospect, he is viewed as a higher floor player without difference-maker upside. Tyler Austin will also be in the mix upon returning from injury, but he hasn’t played in majors since 2019, and has a total of 0.9 career WAR over four seasons. He owns a slash line of .293/.377/.568 across six NPB seasons, but still counts as a lottery ticket more than a bankable contributor. The Bottom Line The in-house approach to the DH spot is all going to hinge on Ballesteros making the necessary adjustments to hold that position down. They have a top prospect in a platoon with a slugging outfielder, with Bregman filling in when he needs a day off from the field, which is a good blueprint in theory, but could test the depth of this roster should things go wrong. The plan B would be Suzuki moving back to the full-time DH, with Shaw (or Alcantara or Carlson) taking over in right field. Bregman could also make a large portion of his starts there, but taking a 2024 Gold Glove winner, who just signed a $175 million contract, off the field seems unlikely. We will see within the first couple months of the season whether Ballesteros holds his own or if the Cubs will need to add a power bat to their trade deadline shopping list.

Every hidden nook, cranny, and secluded vista at the Chicago Cubs ballpark. By the fans, for the fans. (Updated for 2026!) Welcome! This is the definitive guide to Wrigley Field, by the fans and for the fans. These recommendations were assembled by North Side Baseball writers and community members who frequent the ballpark and have uncovered the best views, values, and secrets to share with you. Whether you're a casual fan visiting the Friendly Confines for the first time and looking for tips, or even if you're a diehard local who wants to make sure they're getting the most out of their experience at the Federal Landmark, we've got you covered. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the Wrigley Field experience, but should you have additional recommendations or suggestions, please use the comment fields found below this article. Enjoy and have a great time at the ballpark! Table of Contents (click to jump to section) Wrigley Field Facts and Specs Best Places to Park & Public Transit Around Wrigley Field Best Seats at Wrigley Field Best Food at Wrigley Field Best Bars & Drinks Around Wrigley Field Fan Favorites at Wrigley Field Wrigley Field Fan FAQs Wrigley Field At A Glance Address: 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 Opened: April 23rd, 1914 Originally opened as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federals of the Federal League Was renamed “Cubs Park” in 1920, once the Wrigley family bought the team from Charles Weeghman Finally, in 1926, the stadium earned its century-long moniker of “Wrigley Field”, named after William Wrigley Jr., the owner of the Cubs at the time It is the second-oldest ballpark in baseball, behind only Fenway Park of the Boston Red Sox (opened in 1912) Capacity: 41,649 Dimensions (distances from home plate as of 2025) LF: 355 feet LCF: 368 feet CF: 400 feet RCF: 368 feet RF: 353 feet Wall Height: 11.5ft (bleachers); 15ft (corners/foul poles) Parking & Public Transit Around Wrigley Field Whether you plan to drive to the stadium or take public transportation, all your options are below. If you'd like to see a blown-up version of the surrounding area map, scroll down for an interactive map. Parking Around Wrigley Field First things first with parking: you can (and should) reserve a parking spot if you know you're going to a game in advance. You can do so here through the Cubs' SpotHero partnership, which ensures affordable, available parking for all Wrigley Field events. If you can't get a spot with SpotHero (or if your gameday venture is more of the last-minute variety), you have other options. The Cubs offer free remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell St., just east of the Chicago River and accessed from Irving Park Road. The Cubs' Remote Parking Lot is available for night and weekend games and includes a free shuttle service to and from Wrigley Field. Services begin two hours before first pitch, and returning shuttles board post-game and run approximately one hour after the end of the game. Note that the free shuttle service drops off and picks up fans on Irving Park Road between Clark Street and Seminary Avenue. If you don’t mind a bit of a walk, there are areas with free street parking, but be sure to get to the area early. The closest free parking on the street is north of Irving Park Rd, on Clark St, and on Ashland Ave, between Byron St and Grace St. There are also three other lots supported by the Cubs during game days: Toyota Camry Lot: Season Parking Holders, Game Day. 1126 W. Grace St. Chicago, IL 60613 Toyota RAV4 Lot: Season Parking Holders. 1140 W. Eddy St. Chicago, IL 60613 Irving Park Lot: Season Parking Holders, Combo, Game Day. 1052 Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 60613 You’ll also find various smaller private lots with parking available for anywhere from $30-$60. Byron’s Hot Dogs (1017 Irving Park Rd) opens their lot on game days, Residents of the area charge fans to park in their designated parking spots, while this could be expensive, these are some of the easiest spots to get out of after the game. Most of these areas allow fans to leave their car for up to two hours after the game. Public Transit To Wrigley Field Wrigley Field can be accessed by any of the major transportation hubs in Chicago. LaSalle St. Station - CTA: Exit station on Van Buren. Take the elevated brown line at LaSalle/Van Buren north to Fullerton. Transfer to the red line north to Addison. Midway Airport - CTA: Take the eastbound train on the "Orange" rapid transit line to the Lake/State stop. Walk down the stairs to the State Street subway entrance and get on the northbound Howard/Dan Ryan "Red" line. Take this to the Addison Street stop. Walk one block west on Addison, and you're at Wrigley Field. Ogilvie Transportation Center: Exit onto Washington. Take No. 20 or No. 56 Milwaukee east to State and Washington. Head downstairs to the red line. Take the northbound train to Addison. O'Hare Airport - CTA: Take the "Blue" rapid transit line to the Addison Street stop. Transfer to the CTA No. 152 eastbound bus, which lets off at the ballpark. Union Station - CTA: Take the CTA No. 1 Indiana/Hyde Park bus or the No. 151 Sheridan bus to the Jackson/State subway station. Transfer to the Howard/Dan Ryan "Red" rapid transit line northbound to the Addison Street stop, which lets out one block east of the ballpark. Note that there are also rideshare options (e.g., Uber, Lyft, etc.) and accessibility for bikers. All of that information can be accessed here. Best Seats & Gates To Use at Wrigley Field Below is an image that showcases the seating map and entrance and exit gates for Wrigley Field. Gate Names and Locations at Wrigley Field Marquee Gate, formerly known as Gate F, is located at the intersection of Addison and Clark streets. Gallagher Way Gate, formerly known as Gate H, is located on Clark Street on the western side of the ballpark. Horizon Left Field Gate, formerly known as Gate K, is located on Waveland Avenue on the northwest side of the ballpark. (This gate tends to be the least crowded) Budweiser Bleacher Gate is located at the intersection of Sheffield and Waveland avenues. Wintrust Right Field Gate, formerly known as Gate D, is located on Addison Street on the southeast side of the ballpark. C.D. Peacock Premier Entrance is located on Clark Street on the western side of the ballpark. Seating Options at Wrigley Field Time to talk about the fun stuff now: where to sit. Given the nature of its historic (but outdated) architecture, not every seat at Wrigley Field is as optimized for the gameday experience as you might find in a more modern ballpark like Camden Yards or PNC Park. However, that also means there are unique viewing experiences compared to other stadiums and sections of the ballpark, each with its own culture (which we'll get to in a moment). For an even further in-depth look than what we'll discuss here, feel free to use SeatGeek's handy “View-from-Seat tool” to get an idea of your vantage point from every possible seat at Wrigley: SeatGeek Wrigley Field. NOTE: The Chicago Cubs' dugout is on the third-base side. The visitors' dugout is on the first-base side. Also note that the only bathrooms in the stadium are on the ground level. Obstructed Views: Generally, the terrace and upper deck reserved seats often have giant steel beams or overhangs protruding, blocking part of your peripheral vision. For some, it's not enough to ruin the experience, but it's definitely worth looking for a better seat if available. Wrigley Rooftops: If you have a group or event you want to hold while watching the Cubs live, this is the way to do it. You'll have a suite-like experience with tons of food and drinks to share, though your view of the game day action won't be as intimate as a traditional seat. Note that you won't actually be inside the ballpark if you choose this option. You can see more here. The Bleachers: Obviously. If you've ever seen a home run highlight at Wrigley Field, you know what the deal is. Home to the most loyal and die-hard Cubs fans, the Bleachers is an experience you have to have at least once. Suites: As part of the 1060 Project (a renovation undertaken by Cubs ownership to modernize the stadium and the fan experience), the Cubs updated their suites. Now, the club sells suites for the entire season, but you can buy suites for single games through SuiteHop here. Other Popular Options: Seats down the left and right field foul lines are always in high demand, and you can never go wrong with tickets behind the plate (if you can stomach the hit to your wallet). A lot of fans swear by seats with a little more elevation in the upper levels, though your mileage will vary depending on the group you bring. Just be careful if you happen to sit in Aisle 4, Row 8, Seat 113. "The Yard" is a brand-new addition to Wrigley Field for fans seeking a premium game-day experience. The entertainment space offers fans unlimited beer, wine, seltzers, and non-alcoholic drinks, and ballpark meals are included with tickets. It's meant to feel like your own backyard, at least according to Cubs Senior Vice President of Ticketing Cale Vennum. The area is above the batter’s eye in center field and will be available for groups of fans and a maximum of 50 total guests. Access to ‘The Yard’ will be available to fans 90 minutes before first pitch until the end of the game. Expect a difficult time purchasing tickets for its debut season, though brave fans can try on cubssuites.com. Best Food at Wrigley Field An ever-divisive topic, it has fallen upon me to gather up the opinions of millions of Cubs fans and Wrigley patrons to share the best concession options that the home of the Cubs has to offer. HUGE shout-out to the fine folks at Eater Chicago, who compiled a complete guide to Wrigley eating, available here. Specialty Concessions at Wrigley Field Garrett Popcorn: Chicago's most famous popcorn is, of course, available at Wrigley Field. All of their flavors and options will be sold in several locations, mostly on the first level in the ballpark. Hot Doug's: 2014 was a difficult time for Chicagoans: that was the year Doug Sohn closed his restaurant, but its namesake and flavors can still be enjoyed in the bleachers of Wrigley. As Eater Chicago explains: “The menu offers a rotating selection of player-inspired sausage creations. Those who never had the opportunity to experience Hot Doug's in its glory days now have their chance. Just make sure to have a bleacher ticket first. Note: the sausages are Vienna Beef products, which differ from Sohn's Avondale stand. [It is available in] Bleacher Platform 14.” North Side Twist Pretzel: Arguably the most popular item in all of Wrigley, this two-pound pretzel with three dips (chipotle honey mustard, beer cheddar cheese, and cinnamon frosting) is made for sharing. It's a bit on the pricier side (~$16), but it's an appetizer, meal, and dessert all in one. It can be found at the Blue W concession stand between sections 122-125 on the main concourse. Vienna Beef: The official hot dog of Wrigley Field. Need I say more? Vienna sausages are the perfect canvas for the famous Chicago-style dog (normally a complex affair with mustard, relish, chopped raw onion, sliced tomato, a kosher pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt), and there's a reason the lines at each concession stand are so long. The locations change over time, but Vienna Beef keeps an up-to-date list here. Marquee Classics (Section 117): The Jibarito Sandwich (juicy roast beef, garlic butter, lettuce, tomato and garlic aioli tucked between two smashed and fried plantains), Kimchi Burger (chargrilled plant-based burger topped with house-made kimchi, hoisin aioli and broccoli slaw, served on a toasted sesame bun), Puffy Tacos (crispy puffed flour tortilla topped with carne asada, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, cheddar jack cheese, cilantro and lime wedge), and Chicken & Waffles (crispy fried chicken served with Belgian waffles, hot honey drizzle and strawberries) are 2025 additions that will be available during various homestands. Classic Food Options at Wrigley Field Looking just for classic ballpark food? Here is every location you can get each. Cheeseburger: Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324 Chicken Tenders Basket with Fries: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Sheffield Corner, Aisle 134; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Waveland Grill, Lower Bleachers Cubs Kids Meal: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324 Hot Dog: Italian Grill, Lower Bleachers; Waveland Grill, Lower Bleachers; Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers; Bleacher Bums, Upper Bleachers; Pizza Stands, Aisles 103 and 129; Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Clark Street Grill, Aisle 112; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Addison Street Grill, Aisle 126; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Portables, Aisles 212, 218, 307, and 327 Nachos: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Chicago Dog, Aisles 108, 115, and 119; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Vienna Beef Grill, Aisle 131; Upper Deck Nacho Portables, Aisles 307 and 327; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Bleacher Bums, Upper Bleachers; Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers New for 2026! Wrigley Field is bringing three new food items to fans, beginning at the start of the 2026 season. First, there is the chicken & churros, which is a play on chicken and waffles. It comes with a crispy churro topped with fried chicken, syrup, and powdered sugar. Then, we have the tostada stack, which is four crispy tostada shells stacked with green-chili beef, pico de gallo, and cotija cheese in between. Lastly, there is the bow wow dog, a hybrid of a hot dog and a bao bun. It consists of a chargrilled Vienna hot dog on a bao bun topped with slaw and tempura sport peppers. Dietary Restrictions Dietary restrictions are becoming more commonplace here in 2025, and the Cubs and Wrigley Field have assembled a fine assortment of options for those who have specific guidelines to follow with their eating habits. Gluten Free Options: Hot Dogs (Marquee Classics in Section 117, Left Field Classics in Section 105, Third Base Classics 110, First Base Classics 123, Right Field Classics 128, Upper Deck Classics in Sections 309 and 324 and Bleacher Bums in the Upper Bleachers); Hamburger (Marquee Classics in Section 117, Third Base Classics 110, First Base Classics 123, Upper Deck Classics in Sections 309 and 324); Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza (Left Field Classics in Section 103 and Right Field Classics in Section 129), Grab N Go Portable (Section 218) Kosher Options: Kosher Cart, Aisle 217 Vegan Options: Beyond Burger w/o Mayo or Bun (Third Base Classics in Section 110, First Base Classics in Section 123, Upper Deck Classics 309/324, Red Line Grill in the Lower Bleachers) Vegetarian Options: Veggie Dog (Chicago Dogs in Sections 108, 115, 119, Bleacher Platform 14, Upper Deck portables 311/323) NOTE: Guests with dietary restrictions are welcome to bring food prepared at home into the ballpark in clear bags or containers. The club also offers a variety of food options at Wrigley Field - for the most up-to-date list of all food and beverage choices and locations, visit the Concessions Guide in the MLB Ballpark app. You can also contact a Wrigley Field associate or contact Fan Services by utilizing the “Ask Fan Services” feature within the MLB Ballpark app, calling 800-THE-CUBS, or emailing fanservices@cubs.com for further information. Best Bars & Drinks Around Wrigley Field Wrigleyville Bars Wrigley Field has a number of bar options, though you may actually be better served going to one of the many popular spots in the surrounding Wrigleyville area. Murphy's Bleachers: One of the most popular sports bars in all of America, Murphy's is a local staple. Even if just as a pregame venture, this bar is worth the visit. Best arrive early to secure a table, though. Address: 3655 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60613 The Dugout: A rooftop view of Wrigley Field that opens four hours before game time. There's not much else that needs to be said. Address: 950 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613 Rizzo's Bar and Inn: Though not linked to former Cub Anthony Rizzo, this is the most recently opened establishment on this list. It's directly across the street from Wrigley Field and is particularly popular during the Cubs' day games. Address: 3658 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 Nisei Lounge: Wrigleyville's oldest standing bar. It's become a staple of longtime Wrigley patrons and serves as an awesome entertainment center both during and after games. Address: 3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 Sluggers Bar & Grill: Opened in 1985, Sluggers has been one of the Crown Jewels of Clark St for over 40 years. It’s the largest bar in the area, with two downstairs bars, an upstairs complete with a lounge area, arcade games, and of course, the batting cages. If you make your way upstairs on Saturday nights, they have their famed dueling pianos show as well. Try their pizza, too. Address: 3540 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 Tin Roof: Opened at the end of 2013, Tin Roof is one of the newer bars in Wrigleyville. What makes this place stand out is the Nashville-style live bands that play nearly every night and weekend afternoon. For those who prefer a club scene, there's a bar in the back with a dance floor and a DJ setup. Their menu features some interesting Tex-Mex that is honestly way better than it has any right to be. Address: 3519 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 Stolen Saddle: If you like a country vibe, but don’t want to deal with the college-aged crowd that fills up Old Crow, Stolen Saddle is a much better alternative. Formerly a tiki bar and Deuces before that, the Saddle has one of the most iconic patios in all of Wrigleyville, complete with a small pool. Upstairs, you can find line dancing on Thursday nights. They also have a great happy hour deal with $8 margaritas. Address: 3505 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 Cheesie’s Pub: The famous Cheesie’s on Belmont Ave has opened up another location on Clark St, just in time for the 2026 baseball season. If you’re looking for an artery-clogging but absolutely delicious grilled cheese to wash down your beers at the ballpark, head over to Cheesie’s Eat and have a few more beers. Address: 3472 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 BONUS Dimo’s Pizza: If you’re pressed for time and looking for a quick bite, Dimo’s has you covered. The entire place is smaller than a restroom at Wrigley Field, and they don’t sell alcohol, but they have some of the wildest pizza slices you can think of. Some of my favorites include a Chicago hot dog, Korean bahn mi, and chicken alfredo. They also serve a wide selection of vegan slices. Address: 3463 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657 If you're just looking for the regular stuff while in the stadium, below is a list of some of the most popular beers and where to find them inside Wrigley Field (once again, courtesy of Eater Chicago). Bud Light: Left Field Classics, Aisle 105; Chicago Dogs Left Field, Aisle 108; Chicago Dogs Third Base, Aisle 115; Chicago Dogs Right Field, Aisle 119; Addison Street Grill, Aisle 126; Pizza Right Field, Aisle 129; Sheffield Corner, Aisle 134; Upper Deck Classics, Aisles 309 and 324; Bleacher Bums, Upper Bleachers; Upper Deck Bars, Aisles 313 and 320; Retro Beer Cave, Aisle 512; Three Fingers, Aisles 514 and 515; Waveland/Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers; Bud Bar, Lower Bleachers; Portables Concourse, Aisles 101, 121, 129, and 135; Portables Mezzanine, Aisles 203, 209, 214, 222, 226, 227, and 232; Jim Beam Upper Deck, Aisles 306 and 328; Portables Bleachers, Aisles 501, 506, 507, 514, 515, and 540 Corona: Beer & Wine, Aisles 107 and 118; Portables, Aisles 207, 214, 222, 228, 308, 326, 506, and 507 Heineken: Beer & Wine, Aisles 114 and 122; Portables, Aisles 207, 222, 226, 227, and 321 Michelob Ultra: Beer & Wine, Aisles 107 and 114; Mezzanine Portables, Aisles 207, 214, 228, and 232; Portables Upper Deck, Aisles 307, 308, 311, 312, 319, 321, 323, 326, and 327; Portables Bleachers, Aisles 507, 514, and 515; Pizza Left Field, Aisle 103; Third Base Classics, Aisle 110; Marquee Classics, Aisle 117; First Base Classics, Aisle 123; Right Field Classics, Aisle 128; Vienna Beef Grill, Aisle 131; Bud Bar, Lower Bleachers; Three Fingers Bar, Upper Bleachers; Bleacher Bars, Upper Bleachers And of course, Old Style: Beer & Wine, Aisle 107, 114, 118, and 122; Red Line Grill, Lower Bleachers Right Field; Portables Mezzanine, Aisle 207, 222, 228, and 232; Portable Upper Deck, Aisle 321 Fan Favorites at Wrigley Field This list was compiled thanks to the amazing information you all provided. Please continue to use this thread to share your own favorite experiences in and around Wrigley! The Statues: Around the grounds of Wrigley Field, you can find three statues dedicated to some of the most iconic members of the Cubs franchise: “Mr. Cub” himself, Ernie Banks, legendary announcer Harry Caray, and Hall of Famer Billy Williams adorn the different corners of Wrigley in bronze. Running the Bases: On Sundays with day games, kids get to run the bases for free, so be sure to bring the whole family out! Bleacher Shenanigans: During games, the fans out in the bleachers often find a way to spice things up even more beyond the game itself. From literal weddings to world-record cup stacking, if you can find your way to the bleachers during a game, you'll be sure to see something unique. More to come! Wrigley Field FAQs There are always basic questions that fans have regarding certain policies and measurements in place at the events they're attending. While there are some universal guidelines governing all of baseball for the sake of ballpark decorum and safety, every stadium always has its own unique set of rules, too. Below are some of the most commonly asked fan questions for those about to attend a baseball game at Wrigley Field (and here is a link to a complete information guide on Wrigley Field). Q: What are the differences in terms of the rules of the game between Wrigley Field and other ballparks? A: The full set of Wrigley Field ground rules can be found here, but some of the basics include: Fair ball entering vines [ivy] on the bleacher wall and rebounds onto the playing field: In Play. Fair ball striking railing [the home run baskets] or video screen attached to the bleacher wall and rebounding onto the playing field: In Play. A catch may be made on the field tarp (also known as the Rizzo Rule) Q: I'd really like to catch a home run, but my seats are in foul territory. Can I watch batting practice at Wrigley Field? A: Batting practice schedules and times vary before each home game and are at the discretion of either team - be sure to check before each game on social media via the teams' official accounts or their official MLB.com website for further information. For most games, gates will open 90 minutes prior to first pitch. Gates will open two hours before first pitch for Opening Day, Saturday games, and special occasions, unless otherwise specified by the Cubs. Q: What is the bag policy at Wrigley Field? A: All security measurements currently in place at Wrigley Field can be found here (the link is kept up-to-date by the Cubs and MLB). The bag policy is as follows for the 2025 season: “Bag restrictions are in place for the 2025 season. Backpacks (including clear backpacks), hard-sided coolers (regardless of size), and bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches are NOT permitted at Wrigley Field. Other bags (such as wallets, purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, lunch bags, briefcases, and soft-sided coolers) smaller than 16 x 16 x 8 inches in size are permitted. Exceptions will be made for medical bags and diaper bags that accompany guests with young children. Bags are subject to inspection.” NOTE: There are NO bag or luggage storage options available at Wrigley Field. Plan accordingly before heading to a game! Q: What other items are prohibited/allowed when attending a game? A: The Prohibited Item list is a long one, but the most common household items on the list are: Alcohol, marijuana, and all other “intoxicating and/or inebriating” substances Unmanned vehicles (e.g., drones), selfie sticks, and any and all other professional camera equipment (unless MLB or Chicago Cubs personnel, with the proper permits and ID verification). Also note that any videos or pictures captured by personal equipment may only be used for personal use and may not be distributed in any commercial sense. Firearms, weapons of any kind, and any “tool or item” that ballpark personnel deem dangerous to the safety of other fans and players And, of course, all offensive clothing, crafts, and displayable imagery are strictly prohibited from Wrigley Field grounds Q: What is the hotline/phone number I can reach out to if another fan is interfering with our experience at Wrigley Field? A: “Our fan text messaging service will continue to allow you to call our attention to issues in the ballpark without leaving your seat. If anyone is interfering with your enjoyment of Wrigley Field, please contact the nearest Wrigley Field associate for assistance, or text 773-207-2106 with the keyword "Friendly," including your seat location and a description of your issue. We will respond to your request as soon as possible. Standard message and data rates may apply.” Also note that if you need to reach another fan for emergency purposes, you can go to the Fan Services Booth on the main concourse behind home plate or call Fan Services at 800-THE-CUBS. Q: What is the Wi-Fi situation at Wrigley Field? A: Given the historic nature of the stadium, the speed of internet connectivity may be slower than in other ballparks. However, an expanded free Wi-Fi service powered by Xfinity is available throughout Wrigley Field using the network labeled "XfinityWifi@Wrigley" (no password required). Q: What are the accessibility features available at Wrigley Field? A: Again, you can find a full outline of all the accessibility features at Wrigley Field here, but the most important information is as follows: Accessible Parking: “Parking for persons with a valid disability license plate or placard is available on a game-by-game basis in the Toyota Camry Lot located at 1126 W. Grace St., Chicago, IL 60613. Spaces are subject to availability, and all fan parking in the Toyota Camry Lot is paid parking. We encourage guests with disabilities to reserve accessible parking in advance through the Wrigley Field Ticket Office by calling 800-THE-CUBS or emailing fanservices@cubs.com.” Accessible Seating: “Accessible seating sections are located throughout the ballpark near an elevator, lift, and/or ramp. Guests with mobility disabilities and up to three companions are encouraged to make their purchase in advance. Tickets are subject to availability and can be purchased at the Wrigley Field Ticket Office, by calling 800-THE-CUBS, emailing fanservices@cubs.com, or by visiting Cubs.com/Tickets.” Assistive Listening Devices: “Assistive listening devices are available for use, free of charge, from the Fan Services Booth located on the main concourse behind home plate. A form of identification must be left in exchange for the device [which will be promptly returned once the device is returned to the Fan Services Booth].” First Aid: “The Advocate Health Care First Aid station is located behind home plate on the main concourse. Signage identifies this area. A physician, a registered nurse, and emergency medical technicians are on hand for all games. Automated external defibrillator (AED) machines are located throughout the ballpark, including in First Aid. First Aid also includes a restroom and a dedicated nursing mothers' room.” Wheelchair Services: “For those individuals who require assistance from the gates to their seats, complimentary wheelchair service is available. Upon entering the ballpark, please ask a Wrigley Field associate for assistance. Guests who require wheelchair assistance will receive a ticket from their attendant to arrange a postgame pickup time. Wheelchair service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations are not accepted. Wheelchair assistance is provided only to and from the seating location and the gate, and wheelchairs are not permitted off the property. The Club does not provide storage for any personal belongings, including wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters.” And that, my dear friends, is all [for now]. This guide will continue to be updated as Wrigley evolves and us fans continue to discuss the best ways to experience the best stadium in baseball. Thank you to everyone who left comments and suggestions - this guide is truly one for the fans, by the fans.

We continue our look at the Chicago Cubs' top 20 prospects today, with our eighth-ranked prospect, outfielder Kane Kepley. For a quick refresher, make sure you check out our other articles in the series: Prospects #20-16 Prospects #15-11 Prospect #10 - James Triantos Prospect #9 - Josiah Hartshorn #8 - Kane Kepley (University of North Carolina) The Cubs selected the North Carolina native and former Tar Heel with the 52nd overall pick of the 2025 draft. The 22-year-old signed for $1.4 million and became the second outfielder the Cubs selected in as many rounds. The left-handed outfielder was viewed as a high-floor, defensive-minded player with plus speed. Standing at only 5-foot-8 and weighing 180 pounds, Kepley will not be among the Cubs’ power-hitting prospects, but is one of their best at putting the ball in play. He ranked as the 84th-best prospect in the draft, per mlb.com. What to Like The first aspect of Kepley’s game to highlight is the hit tool. As mentioned earlier, he's probably never going to be much of a home run threat, but he excels at making contact and getting on base. Originally a walk-on at Liberty, Kepley hit .310 with a .457 OBP as a freshman, then .330 with a .482 OBP as a sophomore. Upon transferring to UNC, Kepley slashed an impressive .291/.451/.444 against superior competition in the ACC. He has an excellent eye, and rarely swings and misses. Throughout his college career, he drew 136 walks with only 71 strikeouts. Last season with Low-A Myrtle Beach, he hit .299 with a .914 OPS in 131 plate appearances. He walked 25 times with only 15 strikeouts. According to mlb.com, Kepley is the only player in the pipeline except top prospect Moisés Ballesteros with a 60-grade hit tool. Competition will get much tougher as he works his way through the minors, but the bat has worked at every level for him so far. Kepley’s defense is another strength. He is a natural center fielder with great instincts. Although he doesn’t have the strongest arm, his plus speed allows him to track down difficult fly balls. His speed also translates to the bases as well. His 45 stolen bases in 2025 were good for fourth in all of Division I ball. Once he arrived in A ball, he swiped 16 bags in only 25 games. He should be able to use his contact ability plus his speed to beat out ground balls for infield hits and turn bloops into extra bases. He could fit the “table-setter” description perfectly. What to Work On The 5-foot-6 Jose Altuve has 255 career home runs, and has hit at least 30 twice in his career. We shouldn't, then, blame Kepley's lack of power entirely on his size. He has a flat swing and can hit the ball to all fields, but in 2025, he lifted the ball a bit more than a player without power should. Per FanGraphs, he had a 38.3% fly-ball rate, which is above the major-league average of 35%. For comparison's sake, let's take the fly-ball percentage of two very different hitters: Shohei Ohtani and Luis Arraez. Ohtani has a career fly-ball rate of 37.9%, while Arraez’s is 30.4%. Arraez has been the best high-contact, low-power player in baseball over the last half-decade, and is the type of hitter Kepley should strive to be. He will need to work on his launch angle to produce more line drives, though, and perhaps fewer unproductive, routine flies. What’s Next Kepley is currently with the Cubs in Arizona. In parts of eight games, he’s collected three hits in 12 at bats, walking twice. Last week against the Dodgers, he put his speed on display, legging out this triple on a well-hit ball in the gap. He will surely be sent to minor-league camp in the next week or so, and will continue to develop. He proved himself last season in Low A, though, and could find himself in High A or even Double A to begin the 2026 campaign. According to mlb.com, his major-league ETA is in 2028, which tracks for a college draftee who hasn't played even 30 professional games. By the time Kepley arrives, the outfield could look a lot different. Both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are free agents after this season. Randy Arozarena looks like he will be the top free-agent outfielder in the 2027 class, at 32 years old. Kevin Alcántara and 2025 first-rounder Ethan Conrad will get chances to prove themselves before Kepley, but the point is, there will be room in this outfield for Kepley by the time he's ready—although center field is spoken for. It's not uncommon for hitters with three years of college experience to reach the majors quicker than they're projected to, when they first enter the pros. Should Kepley continue to hit for a high average and draw walks as he progresses through the minors, we could see him end up in Triple-A by the end of this season, potentially setting him up for a 2027 debut. There is some skepticism regarding Kepley's MLB future, mainly because of his size and lack of power, but even if he doesn't become a starter, his defensive prowess and speed would be a great asset off the bench.

We are back for another Chicago Cubs spring training check-in to see who is hot and who is not. The Cubs are 4-7 in Cactus League play and take on Team Italy next in an exciting round of exhibition games where MLB teams will take on World Baseball Classic participants. Over the last week, we’ve seen more of the main characters on the field, but there are still key parts of the Opening Day roster that remain unclear, so let's get to it. Who's Hot for Cubs? 3B Alex Bregman Spring training stats are of no importance when it comes to superstars like Bregman, but it's hard to ignore the impression he’s made in Arizona thus far. He’s played in five games, going 5-11 with three extra-base hits, including a home run versus the White Sox on Sunday. He’s drawn three walks and has not struck out yet. The Cubs are going to need these red-hot streaks from him to ignite their offense this season. As Joe Maddon used to say to Dexter Fowler: “you go, we go.” The same adage could be applied to Bregman going forward. OF Dylan Carlson There are still a few weeks of spring training left to play, but Carlson seems to be running away with one of the available bench spots for Opening Day. His 1.392 OPS is third in baseball during the exhibition slate, as he’s gone 7-13 with two doubles and five walks. The Michael Conforto signing complicates the outfield picture even further, but with Tyler Austin set to miss significant time, the Cubs need another bench bat. Carlson’s hot spring combined with his switch-hitting will likely give him a leg up on the competition. RHP Javier Assad The Cubs took on the Dodgers on Saturday and held them to only two runs. A big part of this was due to Assad’s three shutout innings in relief of Ben Brown and Colin Rea, each of whom did not allow a run either. Assad allowed one hit and struck out four. He has worked more than one inning and produced multiple strikeouts in both appearances he’s had this spring and is yet to allow a run. Injuries kept him off the mound for most of 2025, but he was one of their most dependable arms in 2023 and 2024, so a return to form would do wonders regardless of his ultimate position in the bullpen or rotation. Who's Not? INF Scott Kingery/OF Justin Dean Kingery and Dean are lumped together because they both made this list last week and have continued to struggle in the regular playing time they’ve been getting. Kingery is 2-18 (.111) with six strikeouts, and Dean is 3-20 (.150) with a whopping ten strikeouts. Both players have never been successful major leaguers for any considerable stretch, and that does not look like it is going to change. They appear to be on the chopping block, barring a turnaround. INF James Triantos Triantos has not been quite as bad as the two aforementioned players, but in a season that seems pivotal for his future with the team, his .200 batting average (4-20) is not going to cut it. Higher-ranked infield prospects Jefferson Rojas and Pedro Ramirez are outperforming Triantos by a wide margin. At this point, it would be surprising to see Triantos find his way up to the big-league roster in the first half of the season. RHP Jameson Taillon Taillon further cemented his spot here Monday afternoon when he allowed six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched against the Reds. He has now made three starts this spring, throwing six innings with an ERA of 19.50, allowing six home runs in the process. Opposing hitters are hitting over .400 against him, and that's in spring training where teams are sparingly playing their studs. Taillon will be in the Cubs rotation this season, so his spring stats don’t mean a ton, but it is still a little worrisome to see these early struggles, especially after he finished last year on such a torrid hot streak.

Spring training 2026 is officially underway. Even fanbases of teams that lost 100+ games last season have a reason for their blind optimism: it's a new calendar year, and every team has the same record. One thing to remember is that spring training means virtually nothing, and success does not translate over to the regular season. The stars and consistent role players use this time to get loose and hang out with the boys, while playing sparingly to avoid a potential injury. The most exciting part of spring training, besides baseball being back in general, is getting to watch top prospects and fringe roster players compete for a spot on the team. Whether it be for a starting job or a spot on the end of the bench, these players without a clear path to playing time are going to take this next month very seriously. At North Side Baseball, we will hold a bi-weekly check-in to see who is hot, who is not, and who might be close to earning a spot on the roster. While the Cubs’ starting lineup is set, there’s a bench spot or two up for grabs. Jed’s bargain bin bullpen approach has not changed for 2026, so it's going to be fun to see who makes the cut for Opening Day. As of February 24th, the Cubs are 1-3, losing to the White Sox, Rangers, and Giants while beating the Royals. Let's take a look at some highlights (and lowlights) over the first 4 games. It's worth mentioning that early in Spring Training, a ton of playing time goes to NRIs, so we haven’t seen much action from the studs yet. Who's Hot? 🔥 OF Brett Bateman The 23-year-old is a short, scrappy, left-handed outfielder who ranked as the team’s #19 prospect prior to 2025, per MLB.com. While Bateman will never amount to much of a slugger, he is looking to carve out a role where he can use his speed and ability to put the ball in play in order to put opposing defenses in awkward situations. He has played in all four games so far, and has three singles in seven at-bats, while drawing three walks as well. There is a wide open competition for not one, but potentially two bench outfield spots, and Bateman is proving himself worthy for consideration, even if he is not on the 40-man roster. INF Pedro Ramirez Prospects are being called up earlier and earlier, a league-wide phenomenon. MLB.com projects the 21-year-old Ramirez to make his debut at some point in 2026. Matt Shaw is currently the only non-first baseman infielder with any MLB experience slated for a bench role this season, which is good news if you’re Ramirez, who is on the 40-man roster. Like Bateman, he has three hits (one double) in seven at-bats and has played in every game thus far. He’s played mostly third base thus far, but has experience at second base as well. Ramirez is a switch-hitter, which no other infielder competing for a job can say. INF Jefferson Rojas Rojas is only 20 years old and not on the 40-man roster, but he is one of the top organizational prospects, ranking behind only Jaxon Wiggins and Moises Ballesteros. MLB.com doesn’t project a debut from Rojas until the 2027 season, and he has not played above AA, so he’s here in camp to serve as depth. It's hard to ignore the early results, though. He has three hits in eight at-bats, including a home run that came yesterday versus the Royals. He’s played exclusively shortstop so far this Spring, but can flip over to second in a pinch. RHP Ben Brown Even though he is under team control for a few more seasons, 2026 seems like a real prove-it year for Brown. The stuff is there, but his inability to consistently harness it casts a cloud of ambiguity on his future with the team. Brown started yesterday against Kansas City and pitched two innings, allowing two hits, striking out three, and allowing no runs. He gave up two hits in the first to Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino, two of Kansas City’s best hitters, but ended the inning by striking out Salvador Perez. He had a 1-2-3 second inning, striking out two more Royals. Although Brown got the “start”, he may be more valuable to the Cubs if he can excel in the bullpen this season. RHP Grant Kipp One of the older prospects in the organization, the 26-year-old is with the team as an NRI. He had a multi-inning outing in the spring training opener against the White Sox, and was one of the few bright spots for the Cubs on the mound in a game they lost 8-1. Kipp entered the game in top of the fourth, and immediately got the Cubs out of a jam, getting infielder Sam Antonacci to ground into a double play. He stayed in the game for the top of the fifth and gave up a single to Korey Lee to start the inning, but then retired the next three hitters in a row. With a good spring, Kipp may find himself added to the 40-man roster, even if it's unlikely he breaks camp with the club. Who's Cold? 🧊 OF Justin Dean 2025 World Series Champion Justin Dean was claimed by the Cubs from the Giants earlier in the offseason and is currently one of the reserve outfielders on the 40-man roster. His early spring audition is not going well. He’s played in three games and had nine at-bats; he’s notched one hit but has struck out five times. The 29-year-old has never been a regular contributor in the major leagues. He made his MLB debut last season with the Dodgers and was used almost exclusively as a defensive replacement. He appeared in 18 games, but only got two at-bats, and is still searching for his first MLB hit. With the way spring training has started, he might be one of the first players cut from the 40-man. INF/OF Scott Kingery While the aforementioned Dean has at least one hit this spring, former top prospect Kingery cannot say the same. Throughout his three appearances so far, he is 0-8 with three strikeouts. Last season, he went 4-27 in his first taste of big league action since 2022, so his inability to hit so far should come as no surprise. Even with Kingery’s ability to play all over the field, the Cubs are better off giving more playing time to someone like Ramirez or Rojas. Even James Triantos has contributed with three stolen bases, though he’s gone 2-9 at the plate. LHP Matthew Boyd While the other inclusions on this list have all been fringe guys or prospects, Boyd was arguably the Cubs’ best pitcher in 2025, so his inclusion here is discouraging. It's a good thing that spring training is just a workout for rotation staples like Boyd, but it is worth noting that, including the playoffs, the 35-year-old threw the most innings of his career last season. He got the start on Saturday versus the Rangers and surrendered five hits in 1 2/3rds innings of work. He did strike out four, though, and don’t be surprised if he looks much better his second time out. RHP Porter Hodge As we get further away from Hodge being a dependable reliever in 2024, questions about his future with the team will continue to pop up. After posting a sub 2.00 ERA in two seasons ago, Hodge had an ERA of 6.27 in 33 innings last season, while battling injuries. He took the mound in the opener versus the White Sox and only recorded one out. He gave up one hit but walked four. He looked a lot better in his second appearance versus Kansas City, pitching a scoreless inning while striking out two, but he also issued a walk in that one as well. It would be great to count on Hodge this season, as he was once viewed as a potential closer, but he needs to get the free passes under control.

Spring Training is upon us and the Chicago Cubs are ready to roll. Gone is Kyle Tucker, but in comes Alex Bregman, Edward Cabrera, and almost an entirely new bullpen. We know who the key offensive contributors will be. We know what this suddenly very deep rotation should look like. But spring training works as a proving ground for those fringe players looking to make the roster. Last season, we saw Brad Keller turn a minor-league deal into a career resurgence in the bullpen. If one of these players makes that kind of impact in 2026, it’s a major win. Let’s see who else is in camp outside of the players you already know. Cubs Non-Roster Invitees: Catchers Christian Bethancourt Bethancourt is back with the Cubs on a minor-league deal. This marks the second time the Cubs have come to such an agreement with the 34-year-old catcher. The last time he played in the majors was during his 24-game stint with the team in 2024, where he hit .281 including a 7-RBI game. In 2025, Bethancourt was with the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate, and hit .173 in 58 games. Ariel Armas The Cubs drafted Armas in the 5th round of the 2024 draft out of the University of San Diego. Since being drafted, Armas has played in 105 games in High-A and has a slash line of .230/.324/.339. He was likely invited to spring training to serve as catching depth, especially in split-squad games. The 23-year-old will likely begin the season in High-A again, hoping to hit his way to Knoxville soon. Casey Optiz Much like Armas, Optiz is going to serve as extra catching depth on the spring roster. Drafted in the 8th round of the 2021 draft, Optiz has been bouncing between High-A and Double-A for the majority of his career. In parts of five minor league seasons, the 27-year-old has a batting average of .201 and has generally been a part-time player to this point. Cubs Non-Roster Invitees: Infielders Scott Kingery Now 31, Kingery is looking to make the majors with the third team of his career. Prior to 2018, he was one of the top prospects in baseball, and was given a six-year extension worth $24 million by the Phillies. He showed some promise in 2019, where he hit .258/.315/.474 in 126 games, but his career has stalled out since then. Between 2020-2022, played in only 52 games due to injuries and ineffectiveness. He remained with the Phillies in 2023 and 2024 but never reached the majors. He caught on with the Angels for 2025 and got his first MLB action in three years. He has shown an ability to play all around the field, as he played second base, shortstop, right field and center field in his brief 19-game audition with the Halos. This versatility benefits the Cubs, as their old utility man Willi Castro is now on the Rockies, but it’s been years since Kingery has done anything at the plate. Kingery represents the only NRI infielder with any major-league experience. B.J. Murray In 2024, Murray got his first opportunity in Triple-A, where he hit .204 with 11 home runs in 88 games. That wasn’t enough to keep him there, as he spent the entirety of 2025 with Double-A Knoxville. He showed some solid pop from the right side, hitting 20 home runs in 125 games, and can fill in at both third base and first base. Murray was ranked as the No. 18 Cubs prospect prior to the 2024 season, but has not appeared on that list since. With a hot spring, Murray might be able to claw his way into the team’s plans as a power bat off the bench, so he will need to capitalize on all his opportunities. Jonathon Long Long was the Cubs’ No. 6 prospect for the 2025 season, and he figures to remain a fixture inside the top 10. He hit .305/.404/.479, smashing 20 home runs and driving in 91 for Iowa last season. The two main concerns with Long come from his defense. He has been used primarily as a first baseman, but he’s also gotten opportunities sparingly at third base and left field, where he underwhelmed defensively. Even if he was fine defensively at first, third, or left field, all those positions are spoken for. He should be able to crack the major-league roster this year, but it remains to be seen how much playing time he will get. If free-agent acquisition Tyler Austin struggles, Long may be able to take his role. Jefferson Rojas The 20-year-old middle infielder was one of the top prospects in the 2022 international class and is currently listed as the number three organizational prospect. He was promoted to Knoxville last season after producing an .871 OPS in 67 games with South Bend. He struggled mightily in 39 games in Double-A, hitting only .164. He is currently behind fellow prospects James Triantos and Pedro Ramirez on the depth chart, but he's a better defender than both of them. Rojas will get a few spring training appearances, but likely won’t be contending for a bench role out of camp. The conversation regarding Rojas will be much more interesting next offseason if the Cubs move on from Nico Hoerner. Cubs Non-Roster Invitees: Outfielders Chas McCormick The 30-year-old was a productive outfielder for the Astros as recently as 2023 where he hit .273 with 22 home runs while playing above-average defense and adding additional value on the base paths with 19 steals. Since then, he has dealt with a variety of injuries and fell way down the depth chart for Houston, causing them to non-tender him. As it stands, he sits behind Kevin Alcantara and Justin Dean on the depth chart, but could make a push with a good spring. Between Alcantara, Dean, and the two other outfield NRIs on this list, McCormick has the longest track record of success in the major leagues. Dylan Carlson Once one of the top prospects in the game, Carlson is now looking to crack the roster of his fourth team since the beginning of 2024. After being jettisoned from the Cardinals’ roster, he has spent time in the AL East with the Rays and Orioles. It has not clicked for Carlson since his encouraging sophomore season in 2021 where he had a .780 OPS and 3.2 WAR. His switch-hitting ability provides some intrigue for the Cubs, who likely won’t have another switch hitter on the roster outside of Ian Happ. 2026 will be Carlson’s age-27 season, so he is young enough to inspire a little bit of hope for a career resurgence, even if it’s certain he won’t live up to the hype he had in St. Louis. Brett Bateman The 23-year-old was the 19th-ranked organizational prospect for the 2025 season and spent the entirety of the campaign with Double-A Knoxville. He hit .261 with two home runs and nine doubles in 94 games. The left-handed hitter is never going to drive the ball with authority, but his plus speed will allow him to turn some weak contact into base hits. He has a good knowledge of the strike zone and won’t be fooled often on pitches outside it. Bateman is a depth addition to the spring roster but could make his way into the 2026 plans if he gets off to a hot start. Cubs Non-Roster Invitees: Pitchers Jeff Brigham Brigham will be 34 before Opening Day and has thrown 120 2/3 MLB innings in his career. His longest stint in the majors was back in 2019 with the Marlins where he threw 38 1/3 with a 4.46 ERA. The right-hander does not have any sustained success at the highest level, but the Cubs have shown that they’re able to squeeze more out of most veteran arms. Grant Kipp One of the older ranked prospects in the organization, the 26-year-old starting pitcher is coming off a fine season in Double-A. He made 26 appearances (23 starts) and pitched to a 4.22 ERA with 9.1 K/9. The Yale product has a 4.64 ERA across parts of four minor-league seasons, but could make his way onto the 40-man roster if he is able to improve his pitch mix and fastball velocity. His lethal curveball is widely considered the best in the Cubs’ system, so he could be used as a reliever if he is unable to work out some of the kinks in his repertoire. Corbin Martin Pitching in parts of four major-league seasons since 2019, Martin is yet to find any sort of success. He has a career 6.54 ERA in 75 2/3 innings pitched. He was originally a starter when he came up with Houston, and made a few more starts with Arizona before Baltimore used him exclusively as a reliever last season. His 6.00 ERA with Baltimore doesn’t inspire much confidence, but he should be willing to stay with the organization if he doesn’t crack the roster. Connor Noland A 9th-round pick in 2022, Noland has been a mixed bag of results so far throughout his first three minor-league seasons. The 20th-ranked organizational prospect turned heads in 2024 with Double-A Knoxville, pitching to a 2.50 ERA in 16 starts, which earned him a promotion to Triple-A Iowa. He struggled to the tune of a 5.29 ERA after that promotion, but pitched to a 4.07 ERA across 132 2/3 innings in Iowa last season. Noland is a finesse arm rather than a power arm, but the Cubs are not shy about leaning on those types of pitchers. If he continues his upward trend in Triple-A, he could make the majors as soon as this summer. Connor Schultz Schultz joined the Cubs organization in 2024 when his contract was purchased from the Missoula Paddleheads of the Pioneer League. After going undrafted out of the University of Iowa, he was named a Pioneer League All-Star in 2023 in a season where he threw 96 2/3 innings with a 3.82 ERA. He has primarily pitched in both Low- and High-A ball with the Cubs, but had a brief three-start run with Knoxville last season where he only gave three runs total. At 27 years old, he’s one of the older players in Double-A, but his inclusion to the spring roster shows the Cubs have some faith in him. Collin Snider Snider is the most exciting name on this list outside of top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins. The right-handed reliever was taken by the Royals in the 12th round out of Vanderbilt University way back in 2017. He didn’t make his debut until 2022, where he was knocked around in 42 games. He managed to get in 20 more games the next season, but ended his Royals tenure with a 5.93 ERA in 54 2/3 innings. He caught on with Seattle for 2024 and changed his pitch mix, switching to a four-seam fastball and a sweeper instead of the sinker/slider combo he used with Kansas City. This tweak caused his breakout year in the bullpen, where he had a 1.94 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings pitched. He dealt with injuries and regression in 2025. He appeared in only 24 games and his ERA climbed to 5.47. If Snider is healthy, the Cubs’ pitching lab has a good of a shot as anyone at helping him revert closer to who he was in 2024. Trent Thornton The 32-year-old righty has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his seven-year career with the Blue Jays and Mariners. In 2025 alone, he missed a month with appendicitis, and then in July he tore his Achilles, knocking him out for the year. His best season was 2023, when he was traded from Toronto to Seattle mid-season. Pitching mainly for Seattle, he finished with a 2.01 ERA on the year. The caveat is that it was only over 31 1/3 innings. His first full season in Seattle was solid, throwing over 70 innings for the second time in his career. His FIP of 3.47 was actually lower than his ERA of 3.61, so a healthy Trent Thornton was a quality reliever only twp years ago. If he’s healthy, he has all the makings of a reliever who can make the Cubs out of camp. Jaxon Wiggins I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but it is highly unlikely that Wiggins breaks camp with the team. "Highly unlikely" is still a generous phrase to use here, as the Cubs’ top pitching prospect only made three short starts in Triple-A last year after ripping through High-A and Double-A. Wiggins will be up at some point this season, likely in a similar fashion to Cade Horton last year, who was called up on May 10. The current Cubs’ rotation doesn’t carry a lot of heat outside of Edward Cabrera and Horton, so Wiggins making his debut before the All Star break is completely plausible. Kyle Wright The No. 5 overall pick in 2017 by the Braves was singed to a minor-league deal as pitchers and catchers reported to camp. Once projected as a key cog in the Braves' rotation, the righty out of Vanderbilt struggled in his first four seasons. Walks were one of his biggest issues, as he averaged 6.9 BB/9 in 70 innings. Everything did seem to click in 2022; he led the majors in wins with 21, and pitched to a 3.19 ERA while striking out 174 in 180 1/3rd innings. He finished 10th in Cy Young voting and became the first Brave to lead baseball in wins since Tom Glavine in 2000. In 2023, Wright regressed back into the pitcher he was before 2022. He pitched 31 innings with a 6.97 ERA before suffering a shoulder strain that sidelined him for two months. He was activated in September but did not pitch in the majors. He then underwent another shoulder surgery that would cause him to miss the entirety of 2024. He was traded to the Royals for the 2025 season but did not pitch in a game due to more injuries, mainly related to shoulder fatigue. If he makes an appearance for the Cubs, it will be his first taste of big-league action since 2023.

The Chicago Cubs have signed former Astros outfielder Chas McCormick to a minor-league contract with an invite to Spring Training, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. McCormick was outrighted off the Astros roster following the 2025 season where he missed nearly 2 months with a left oblique strain. He appeared in 64 games at the Major League level and slashed .210/.279/.290 with a -1.0 WAR. For the second straight season, McCormick appeared in fewer than 100 games while posting a negative WAR. McCormick is nothing more than an outfield depth flier for the Cubs. The soon-to-be 31 year old looked like a late-blooming star in 2023 when he hit .273 with 22 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and an .842 OPS; all while playing above average defense across the outfield. As it stands, McCormick will be competing for a backup outfielder role with top prospect Kevin Alcantara and newly acquired Justin Dean, who are both on the 40 man roster.

Prior to last week, the Chicago Cubs’ offseason could have been described as passive. They added a few veteran relievers on cheap contracts and brought back Shota Imanaga via the qualifying offer. This left fans wondering if the big move was coming; not when. Fast-forward to now, and the Cubs have silenced the inactivity narrative that has defined their offseason by trading for the electric starter Edward Cabrera and signing three-time All Star Alex Bregman. The Cubs' playoff rotation in 2025 needed one more starter, and now, they have that starter should he remain healthy. Kyle Tucker never really seemed like anything more than a one-year rental, leaving them down an impact bat in the top of the lineup. After paying Bregman the highest AAV in franchise history, they now have that bat. (As well as the first two picks of the 2015 draft). The former Astros, Red Sox, and LSU Tigers star will certainly help the Cubs contend for a postseason spot, and hopefully the NL Central division in 2026 and beyond. His ability to get on base, drive balls to his pull side, and play Gold Glove defense will define his impact on the field. His natural leadership ability will make an impact off the field with young stars Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Fans do need to realize Bregman is not the same type of player that Kyle Tucker is, and will not be able to carry the offense on his own. Bregman is a key cog in a machine, but not the machine himself. This is not meant to discourage the Bregman signing, but it is more of a warning flag to fans. Bregman won’t be able to win games on his own. The Cubs will need a better year out of Dansby Swanson; they'll need to see Crow-Armstrong look closer to his first half self from 2025; Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch need to show their 30-homer seasons were no fluke. It might even make sense for the Cubs to target another free-agent outfielder or trade for a power-hitting threat off the bench (your mileage will vary on that). Before anyone starts preparing the championship banners, let's review the possible pitfalls of Bregman's contract. Age: Bregman will turn 32 right as the regular season begins in late March. This contract, which has no opt-outs and a no-trade clause, will run through his age-36 season. There's no question that the 7 and 8 WAR seasons Bregman had in 2018 and 2019 are a thing of the past, but will he be able to continue to post 4+ WAR seasons for the majority of this deal? If he didn’t miss time last season, he likely would have eclipsed 4 WAR for the fourth straight season. FanGraphs' Steamer projects Bregman to have an fWAR of 3.8 for the 2026 season, along with a wRC+ of 121. These projections represent a slight decline from his previous seasons but still align what the Cubs are believing they’re paying for. Consistent production at that level might be challenging, though. Professional sports are getting younger across the globe, and gone are the days in baseball where players are posting elite production into their mid- and late-30s, but the chart below shows just how rare it is for players in their thirties to have 4+ WAR seasons. Rk Player WAR Season Age Team 1 Aaron Judge 10.8 2024 32 NYY 2 Aaron Judge 9.7 2025 33 NYY 3 Marcus Semien 7.7 2023 32 TEX 4 Paul Goldschmidt 7.7 2022 34 STL 5 Freddie Freeman 6.8 2023 33 LAD 6 Freddie Freeman 6.2 2022 32 LAD 7 Brandon Crawford 6.1 2021 34 SFG 8 Paul Goldschmidt 5.9 2021 33 STL 9 José Ramírez 5.8 2025 32 CLE 10 Trea Turner 5.4 2025 32 PHI 11 Jose Altuve 5.2 2022 32 HOU 12 Mookie Betts 4.9 2025 32 LAD 13 George Springer 4.8 2025 35 TOR 14 Starling Marte 4.8 2021 32 MIA,OAK 15 Freddie Freeman 4.7 2024 34 LAD 16 Kyle Schwarber 4.7 2025 32 PHI 17 Marcell Ozuna 4.3 2024 33 ATL 18 José Abreu 4.3 2022 35 CHW 19 George Springer 4.2 2022 32 TOR 20 Matt Chapman 4.1 2025 32 SFG 21 Marcus Semien 4.1 2024 33 TEX 22 Manny Machado 4.1 2025 32 SDP This is the entire list of 4+ WAR seasons from position players aged 32 and up since 2021. Most of these players were considered elite or are still considered elite, and Bregman has largely been looped in with this group. Bregman should add his name to this in the next season or two, but most players, including many on the list above, will not age like Freddie Freeman. The Cubs need to perform now to maximize this deal, as it may look a bit rough toward the end. Injury concerns: Generally speaking, Bregman’s injury history is sparse compared to a lot of major leaguers. He's played in at least 145 games in six out of his 10 seasons. Of the four seasons he didn’t play as many games, one was his rookie year and another was the pandemic season. In 2021, Bregman missed over two months with a quad strain before stringing together three healthy seasons in a row. Then, he strained his other quad in 2025, causing him to miss about six weeks. He came back toward the end of 2025 and hit .300 in the postseason, so the quad issue seems not have lingered. The concerns here are less about his injury history and more about his ability to play third base regularly through his mid-30s. The only primary starters at third base in 2025 older than Bregman were Jose Ramirez and Eugenio Suarez, and the free agent Suarez is likely to sign as a first baseman. If the Cubs hold onto Matt Shaw, which seems to be the plan, Bregman will have more opportunities to DH for the 2026 season with Nico Hoerner still in town. If the second baseman walks next winter, the Cubs will likely be in a position where they will need to bring in another starting quality second or third baseman in order to give an older Bregman enough time off his feet. Power concerns: Bregman is still a complete hitter without a doubt, but he’s not going to be that home run threat the Cubs have been missing. Hopefully, Busch and Suzuki become guys that can be counted on for 30-plus home runs again and again. This overly cautious front office deciding to pay Bregman an average of $35 million a year shows they believe they have the home run power already in-house. Bregman hasn’t had a 30 home run season since before the pandemic, when he hit 41 in 2019 (the juiced-ball year). He hit 18 in 114 games in 2025, though he averaged 24 from 2022-2024. Unless the 5’11 infielder is able to go on a late-career power surge like Nelson Cruz, the Cubs will need to look elsewhere for some fence-clearing regularity. Bregman should still be able to clear 20+ home runs throughout most of his contract, but this could be an issue that persists, especially as he gets older.