A list of Cubs with multiple years remaining under team control

Chicago Cubs: There are some promising pieces in the mix here

Adbert Alzolay (26) – Under team control through 2026. 

Despite ups and downs in 2022, the flame-throwing righty has showed enough potential to still be seen as a piece for the future. Whether he ends up being a starter or reliever is remained to be seen, but for now he will probably get another shot in the rotation in 2022. He will be under control for the next five years, and becomes arbitration eligible in 2024.

Rowan Wick (29) – Under team control through 2025. 

The possible future closer finally got back to pitching in 2021 after battling injury. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Padres and made his first appearance as a Cub in 2019. This year is his final pre-arbitration season and will become arbitration eligible next year.

Codi Heuer (25) – Under team control through 2025.

Another candidate for the closer’s role going forward, Codi Heuer came over in the Craig Kimbrel trade from the White Sox. He showed a lot of promise in his first year on the South Side, but struggled in 2021 before coming over to the Cubs. Like Wick, he will be arbitration eligible next year.

Justin Steele (25) – Under team control through 2027. 

The Cubs fifth-round pick of the 2014 draft made his debut last year as both a reliever and starter. He performed better out of the pen, but had his moments as a starter. He has the potential to be bullpen/spot-starter depth going forward. He is under control for the next six seasons and will be arbitration eligible in 2025.

Brailyn Marquez (22) – Under team control through 2026. 

Team top pitching prospect Brailyn Marquez missed all baseball action in 2021 due to injury and COVID complications. The hope is to get him back to baseball and up in the majors next year. On the final day of the 2020 season, he pitched two-third of an inning so he has pitched at the MLB level…just not much. First things first, he has to get back playing before we look at long-term.

Alec Mills (30) – Under team control through 2025. 

Solid pitching depth is always important, and Alec Mills, for the most part, has provided just that. He has been around for several years now and have four years of team control left. He will be arbitration eligible next year.

Keegan Thompson (26) – Under team control through 2027. 

Making his debut last year, Keegan Thompson had an impressive showing for the Cubs. He pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 9.3 K/9 in 32 games. This could be another nice find, and he will be under control for a while. He will be arbitration eligible in 2025.

Manny Rodriguez (25) – Under team control through 2027. 

The overall numbers might not have been pretty, but considering it was his first year in the majors, he should get another chance. He has good stuff and can throw around triple-digits on the fastball. If he does become something, then he will have plenty of years of control.

As mentioned before, this stuff can get pretty complicated. It is just important to know that as of right now, six years worth of MLB service time earns the rights to unrestricted free agency (and even that has loopholes) with three years earning the right for arbitration eligibility…with exception of Super Twos. That is what this was based on. Who knows what will happen with the new CBA, things could change drastically.