4 former Cubs hitting free agency and their chances of returning to Chicago

We are inching closer to the start of free agency, and after taking a look at the current Chicago Cubs set to become free agency in a matter of days, we wanted to take some time out to look at former Cubs who will be available this offseason.

It's one of the easiest tropes in all of sports, when a former player hits the free-agent market, the instant thought is about a potential reunion. For the Cubs, they should have some reunion opportunities this winter.

These former Cubs are free agents this winter, begging the question of a potential reunion in Chicago.

In most cases, reunions are difficult to come by. There was almost always a reason why a team originally parted with a player, and more or less, it sticks. Even if there's a new fit, odds are the team will look elsewhere. Nonetheless, given the needs the Cubs have across their roster this offseason, they can't afford to ignore any potential opportunity.

Michael Soroka

Of all the former Cubs expected to become free agents this offseason, Michael Soroka is likely to get the most consideration. He had success with the Diamondbacks last year, but there's always the question of availability. Soroka only pitched 116 innings. In a world where the Cubs made a move or two above Soroka to address the need in the rotation, it's possible they go back down this road. Otherwise, he won't be their big-ticket addition.

Odds: Even

Sean Newcomb

Sean Newcomb is another project arm the Cubs may have been too early on. He posted a 9.13 ERA in 17 appearances with the Cubs in 2022. In the years since, he's established himself as one of the better left-handed relief pitchers in baseball, including posting a 3.09 ERA with the White Sox this year. The Cubs will need more left-handed options for the bullpen, and that could make Newcomb an appealing target this offseason.

Odds: High

Joc Pederson

The Cubs didn't quite get the full Joc Pederson experience in 2021, considering it was his trade that suggested the Cubs were going to be a sellers at that year's deadline. Since then, he's essentially become the prototypical DH, capable of providing power against right-handed pitching. With the potential losses of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, there's a case to be made that the Cubs could use a power bat like Pederson, but his defensive limitation likely makes him avoidable.

Odds: Low

Andrew Kittredge

If Andrew Kittredge's club option in 2026 was less than $9 million, chances are the Cubs would have given more consideration to keeping him instead of dumping him back on the Baltimore Orioles. He got results in 2026, posting a 3.54 ERA, but his underlying metrics appear to be headed in the wrong direction. He only struck out 18.7% of the hitters he faced in 2026, and batters hit .271 against him. This isn't the type of deal the Cubs should be looking to make this offseason.