Chicago Cubs avoid arbitration with three players while non-tendering folk hero

Friday was the deadline for teams across Major League Baseball to tender arbitration-eligible players a contract offer for the 2025 season. For those abritration-eligible players, if an offer was not tendered, they immediately become free agents.

Nick Madrigal's tenure with the Cubs ended on Friday. Elsewhere, the Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with relief pitcher Julian Merryweather, avoiding arbitration with the right-hand reliever.

Merryweather is returning to the Cubs' bullpen that saw the addition of Eli Morgan earlier this week. After an injury-riddled 2024 season with the Cubs, Merryweather figures to be a high-leverage option for manager Craig Counsell in the bullpen next season. Merryweather's injury at the start of the 2024 season exposed how thin the Cubs were with regard to late-inning options. An error Hoyer is hopeful will be avoided in 2025 as Morgan and likely another free-agent relief pitcher to be determined later being a part of the bullpen nucleus.

Back to Merryweather: In 15 appearances last season, he was tagged for 11 runs on 18 hits and 9 walks. This is a sign that the injuries were taking away from the reliever he was with the Cubs in 2023 when he posted a 3.38 ERA.

It's no real surprise to see the Cubs take another flier on Merryweather, hoping for health in 2025. Merryweather's profile, a pitcher who can top triple digits with his fastball, is a rarity for a Cubs' pitching staff that relies on movement. If healthy, Merryweather can be a much-needed change of pace when facing opposing hitters.

In addition to Madrigal, veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman has also been non-tendered by the Cubs.

While Tauchman reached folk-hero status with the Cubs over the past two seasons, the end of the 2024 season all but confirmed he would not be factored into the Cubs' roster plans for the 2025 season. With Pete Crow-Armstrong already at the Major League level, Kevin Alcantara spending the final week of the 2024 season with the Cubs, and Owen Caissie not far behind, Tauchman was going to fall out of favor in the Cubs' outfield mix.

Both Keegan Thompson and Matt Thaiss, depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out, could have roles on the Cubs' Major League roster in 2025.

Thompson showed flashes of his former bullpen brilliance during the 2024 season, posting a 2.67 ERA in 24 appearances.

Thaiss, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week, figures to be catching depth for the Cubs next season but could sneak into the role of being Miguel Amaya's backup if the Cubs are unable to land an upgrade this offseason.

The Cubs have until February to avoid arbitration with Justin Steele, Isaac Paredes, Nate Pearson, and Eli Morgan. After their moves on Friday, the Cubs' 40-man roster now stands at 38.

For technical purposes, Brennen Davis, Adbert Alzolay, Patrick Wisdom, and Trey Wingenter were non-tendered by the Cubs as well. All four players were designated for assignment by the Cubs earlier this week.