Cubs’ best offseason upgrade might be staring them right in the face

The Chicago Cubs are going to prioritize pitching this offseason, and it makes sense. Even with Justin Steele returning next season and Matthew Boyd having an All-Star campaign in 2025, they may not have an ace in their rotation. Not to mention, Daniel Palencia, as of now, is the only high-leverage arm from the 2025 bullpen under control for next season. In other words, the pitching need is obvious. That said, if the Cubs are going to remain in contention next season, they must find a way to upgrade their offense.

When looking at the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays and wondering if the Cubs, as things stand, are a World Series contender next season, the immediate answer is no. Yes, the Cubs were one game away from the NLCS this season, but the fact is, they don't reach that point if they don't have Kyle Tucker on their roster. As such, the current impression is that Tucker will be playing elsewhere next season.

Tucker leaving the Cubs would, on paper, make them a worse team than what they were at the end of the 2025 season. To change that outlook, the Cubs need to find a way to replace Tucker's offensive impact this offseason.

Cubs could solve their lineup problem with a free agent hiding in plain sight

Everyone is going to point to Alex Bregman as the obvious answer for the Cubs. It's not a bad idea either. Bregman was an All-Star with the Boston Red Sox last season and remains a good fielder at third base. Not to mention, just last offseason, the Cubs' front office circled Bregman as a key potential addition to their roster. Chances are the same logic applies this offseason.

The issue is that Bregman is one of the top free-agent hitters on the market, and even if he doesn't return to the Red Sox, a lucrative long-term deal appears to be in his future.

If not Bregman, another free-agent upgrade may be hiding in plain sight. The Cubs had an interest in Eugenio Suarez at the MLB trade deadline last season, and they could revisit that interest this winter. At 34 years old, Suarez likely will be significantly cheaper than Bregman this offseason, and could be enticed by the short-term, high-AAV structure the Cubs prefer.

Suarez's offensive numbers did dip after being traded to the Mariners, but his power production remained similar. The Cubs need to add power to their lineup, and Suarez might be one of the most affordable options on the market.

If Suarez is even too rich for the Cubs' blood, the pitching staff in 2026 better be dramatically improved.