Chicago Cubs Eye New Moves as Trade Rumors Intensify – The Athletic
The Chicago Cubs enter the final days of spring training still active on the trade and waiver fronts. Front office executives continue to vet external additions as trade rumors intensify around the league.
Roster snapshot and spring disruptions
Chicago began camp with only a few openings after pitchers and catchers reported in February. The club remained largely healthy through six weeks of work. Yet the spring roster still included 38 players as the Cactus League wound down.
Multiple factors disrupted routines. The World Baseball Classic removed several players for stretches. Extreme heat in Arizona pushed clubs to schedule more night games.
Injury updates and lineup implications
Outfielder Seiya Suzuki suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the WBC. He has been ruled out for Opening Day and will likely begin the season on the injured list.
Suzuki’s absence increases Matt Shaw’s role in right field. It also raises the value of a versatile infielder off the bench.
Pitching plans and rotation decisions
The intended starting five is Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera and Jameson Taillon. The team is not set on a six-man rotation to open the season, but it may revisit the idea later.
Colin Rea carries a $6.5 million salary and a guaranteed spot as a swingman. Ben Brown and Javier Assad have minor-league options and could begin in Triple-A or join the bullpen in Chicago.
Bullpen focus and evaluation
Club officials continue to debate Brown’s long-term role. His swing-and-miss arsenal could fit a high-leverage relief job or a rotation profile given his 6-foot-6, 230-pound frame.
Relievers Corbin Martin and Collin Snider were sent to minor-league camp. Martin’s contract contains an upward mobility clause. That clause could force the Cubs to expose him to other teams if they try to promote him.
Snider’s opt-out window begins after the season starts. Chas McCormick, dealing with right-shoulder problems, was told he will not make the roster.
Prospects and minor-league assignments
Jonathon Long, the organization’s 2025 minor-league player of the year, was assigned to Triple-A Iowa. He will serve as a backup to first baseman Michael Busch but remains close to the big leagues.
Ethan Conrad, the club’s first-round pick last year, will miss the start of the minor-league season with a back issue. Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler expects Conrad to be out about a month.
Conrad, the No. 17 pick, had prior shoulder surgery and has yet to appear in an official game for the organization. Scouts praised his tools during camp and the Cubs plan to manage his return carefully.
With roster choices looming, the front office is balancing depth against flexibility. The Chicago Cubs continue to monitor opportunities and consider new moves as trade rumors swirl, Filmogaz.com sources say.
