Chicago Cubs Have 2 Notable Free Agents on Their Radar

The Chicago Cubs will be losing one massive free agent this offseason in Kyle Tucker. They will have some offense to replace, along with the starting pitching they're hoping to supplement as well.

To that end, the Cubbies are said to be eyeing two notable free agents as we head into the Winter Meetings.

First, to bolster their starting rotation, they are targeting former Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Zac Gallen. Patrick Mooney writes in The Athletic, that there's a connection at Wrigley Field that might appeal to Gallen:

Gallen has thrown more innings (327) with Carson Kelly, a current Cub and an ex-Diamondback, than any other catcher in his major-league career. That partnership produced a 2.81 ERA with Arizona.

Gallen should be affordable in free agency, Cubs are a suitor

Gallen, 30, had a poor contract year, and probably cost himself about $100 million on the open market. But with that, he's still expected to land somewhere in the $75 million or so range on a three-year deal, which would be very much in line with the type of money the Cubs would be looking to spend to fortify their rotation.

They already have Cade Horton and a returning Justin Steele (in May or June, after a partial Tommy John surgery) manning the top of the staff. But the other three expected to fill spots in 2026, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon, will all be free agents after the season. The Cubbies will need another strong starter to go forward in future seasons.

While Gallen has three top-10 Cy Young finishes on his resume, including a Finalist nod in 2023, he struggled to a 5.60 ERA through the first four months of the 2025 season. But he seemed to right the ship down the stretch, as he posted a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts over the final two months, giving teams hope he will recapture his usual high-end form.

Cubs also looking for a bat in free agency, targeting Eugenio Suarez

The other big name on the Cubs' radar is third baseman Eugenio Suarez. He was having another power-packed, terrific season with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025, with 36 homers and an .897 OPS by the end of July. But a trade deadline move to the Seattle Mariners did not do him wonders (aside from getting to participate in the postseason). He hit just .189 upon his return to Seattle, with a .682 OPS. In the playoffs, he hit .213 with a .700 OPS.

Suarez, like Gallen, will be affordable in free agency, as there don't appear to be too many teams breaking down the door to sign him, due to his age (34), his poor finish to the season, and the big swing-and-miss in his game.