The Chicago Cubs made two moves impacting their 40-man roster ahead of Friday’s tender deadline. Of the four arbitration-eligible players, Justin Steele, Javier Assad, Reese McGuire, and Eli Morgan, only McGuire and Morgan were affected. Both were non-tendered, freeing up their roster spots and making them free agents.
Chicago Cubs 40-man roster drops to 30 after Reese McGuire and Eli Morgan were non-tendered
With Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly, and Moisés Ballesteros already on the 40-man roster, carrying a fourth catcher in McGuire wasn’t practical, despite the positive contributions he made in 2025 when injuries opened the door for playing time. Morgan, meanwhile, found himself in the opposite situation. Injuries to the pitcher limited his availability throughout the season, ultimately leading to his non-tender.
Following these moves, the Cubs 40-man roster now stands at 30, with just 16 of them being pitchers. Rebuilding the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, will be necessary this winter. Adding another corner infielder also could be on the horizon, as Justin Turner became a free agent.
With the roster trimmed and key decisions made, the Cubs now face significant work ahead. They currently sit at just 30 players on the 40-man roster, with three internal additions already occurring in INF Pedro Ramirez, INF/OF James Triantos, and LHP Riley Martin, making external additions almost certain. Chicago is expected to explore a mix of free-agent signings, trade opportunities, and potential Rule 5 selections to rebuild depth and reliability.
With clear roster space and pressing needs, the Cubs’ offseason is set to be active. How they address their pitching depth, especially in the bullpen, which was a major strength of theirs in 2025, will play a big role in shaping their competitiveness heading into the 2026 season.
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