MLB Rumors: 3 Chicago Cubs Who Won't Return in 2026
The Chicago Cubs extended their season to a 5th game in the NLDS before bowing out to the team with the best record in baseball this season, the Milwaukee Brewers.
But free agency, at the very least, will necessitate some changes to the Cubs roster for 2026. Here, we look at three players who will almost certainly not be back next season.
Kyle Tucker
The talented outfielder had a very good—but not great—season with the Cubbies. But now a free agent, it's thought that he'll be looking to break the bank with a contract that starts with a '4' — as in $400 million.
Injury troubles, plus a 22 home run, 73 RBI season along with an unremarkable playoff run may have cost him a chance to hit that mark. But whatever he winds up commanding, we can be pretty sure the Cubs won't be ponying up the biggest offer, if it comes anywhere close to that. He didn't show the consistency that a true superstar needs to show, and he wasn't the impact performer Chicago hoped he would be (aside from an insane April). He will likely be an ex-Cub this winter.
Andrew Kittredge
The high-leverage reliever performed well enough in his short time with the club: He posted a 3.32 ERA with five saves in his 21.2 innings, with a stunning 32:3 strikeout to walk ratio. But with a $9 million club option, it's unlikely the Cubs will be picking that up for a bullpen arm who'll be entering his age-36 season.
Michael Soroka
Is he a starter, or is he a reliever? What do the Cubs envision him as? The 28-year-old oft-injured hurler went down just two innings into his first and only start for the team after coming over at the deadline, then when he came back a month later, he was plunked into the bullpen. In six innings in that role, he walked four and gave up four runs, all unearned. He also imploded in the postseason, surrendering five hits and three earned runs in 1.2 innings of work. As a free agent, it's unlikely the Cubs will bring him back.
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