Cubs non-tender a once-promising trade acquisition, freeing up another bullpen spot

Reese McGuire felt like a lock to be cut ahead of Friday's non-tender deadline. Projected as a fourth-string catcher behind Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya and Moises Ballesteros, the Chicago Cubs non-tendered the veteran, saving a projected $1.9 million in the process.

The team's other non-tender, right-handed reliever Eli Morgan, felt like more of a coin flip - after all, he posted a 1.93 ERA in 2024 with Cleveland, so he's not far removed from being an effective bullpen piece. But an elbow impingement limited him to just 12 underwhelming appearances this year with the Cubs and clearly Jed Hoyer wasn't willing to roll the dice and see if he'd bounce back in 2026.

Meanwhile, Chicago tendered contracts to Justin Steele and Javier Assad, a pair of pitchers who could play important, albeit different, roles for the Cubs next season. A healthy, effective Steele could be a real difference-maker for the Cubs and Assad's ability to get outs both as a sixth starter and multi-inning relief arm is a nice insurance policy.

Cubs' front office will likely stick to a familiar playbook this offseason

Although the Morgan trade didn't end up working out, expect similar types of additions by the front office this winter. There are rumblings Hoyer might be willing to bring in an arm or two on a multi-year deal, but the bulk of the Cubs' moves to rebuild the pen will be one-year, prove-it deals or deals to acquire castoffs and intriguing bounceback candidates.

If Hoyer can work his magic in the pen yet again and finally land that long-needed ace, the loss of All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker will be easier to stomach - and overcome. With one of the league's best run prevention defenses, the Cubs could look to ride the tried and true recipe of pitching and defense back to a second playoff appearance in as many years.