Injuries & Moves: Cubs deal Belli, Thaiss in 2 trades
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This roster moves and injury updates page will be updated throughout the offseason as news happens.
LATEST NEWS
Dec. 17: RHP Cody Poteet acquired from the Yankees in exchange for OF Cody Bellinger, cash
The Cubs traded one of their surplus outfielders in the 2019 National League MVP along with cash for Poteet, who adds pitching depth. Poteet, 30, has a 3.80 ERA in 83 Major League innings for the Marlins and Yankees since 2021. Chicago cleared some excess from its depth chart by moving Bellinger, who¡¯d long been rumored to be available in a trade. The Cubs already had Ian Happ in left field, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center and Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki in right before Kyle Tucker arrived last week. More >>
Dec. 17: C Matt Thaiss traded to White Sox for cash
Thaiss, who was acquired from the Angels in November for cash, was forced down the depth chart when the Cubs signed catcher Carson Kelly to a two-year deal.
Dec. 13: OF Kyle Tucker acquired from the Astros in exchange for 3B Isaac Paredes, RHP Hayden Wesneski and 3B prospect Cam Smith (No. 73 on Pipeline's Top 100)
The Cubs pulled off a blockbuster trade with Houston, reeling in Tucker to anchor the heart of the North Siders' order. The 27-year-old Tucker is a three-time All-star who boasts a Gold Glove (2022) and Silver Slugger ('23) and finished fifth in American League MVP voting in '23. Last season, the right fielder was limited to 78 games due to a fractured right shin, but still hit .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs and more walks (56) than strikeouts (54). Tucker posted a 1.040 OPS in 18 games in September after returning from the injury. The star outfielder is eligible for arbitration this offseason and is only under control through the '25 season. More >>
Dec. 13: Signed C Carson Kelly to a two-year contract
The Cubs added the 30-year-old Kelly via a two-year deal that includes a mutual option for the '27 season. Per a source, the veteran catcher is set to earn $5 million in each of the next two years and has a $7.5 million option (or a $1.5 million buyout) for a third year. Kelly hit .238/.313/.374 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 91 games in 2024 between stints with the Tigers and Rangers. Kelly projects to split playing time behind the plate this season with catcher Miguel Amaya.
Dec. 11: INF Gage Workman selected in Rule 5 Draft
The Cubs grabbed the 25-year-old infield prospect from the Tigers' system in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings. Workman, who checks in at No. 28 on Pipeline's Top 30 list for the Cubs, looks like a contender for a bench job with Chicago. Last season with Double-A Erie, the lefty hit .280/.366/.476 with 18 homers, 29 doubles, 89 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.
Dec. 7: LHP Matthew Boyd signed to two-year Major League contract
The Cubs announced the signing of Boyd to a two-year contract, which is worth $29 million plus $1 million possible in performances bonuses (per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand). Boyd, who will turn 34 on Feb. 2, turned in a 2.72 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 2/3 innings down the stretch last season with Cleveland, following a comeback from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. The lefty allowed one run across 11 2/3 innings overall in three playoffs outings.
INJURY UPDATES
SS Dansby Swanson (core surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Cubs announced on Dec. 7 that Swanson underwent successful core surgery in early October, but is not expected to miss any time in 2025 as a result of the surgery. The procedure was performed by Dr. Bill Meyer. Swanson, 30, is heading into the third season of a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs. Last year, the shortstop had 16 homers with a .701 OPS and a 98 OPS+ over 149 games, while playing elite defense. (Last updated: Dec. 7)
2B Nico Hoerner (right flexor tendon)
Expected return: 2025
The Cubs announced that Hoerner underwent successful flexor tendon surgery on his right forearm (performed by Dr. Keith Meister) on Oct. 11. The second baseman will focus on his rehab over the offseason and be assessed at the start of Spring Training in February to determine his next steps. In 151 games in '24, the 27-year-old Hoerner hit .273/.335/.373 with seven homers, 35 doubles, 48 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He is signed through 2026 and set to earn $11.5 million in '25. (Last updated: Oct. 21)
LHP Jordan Wicks (right oblique strain)
Expected return: 2025
Wicks was placed on the 15-day IL on Sept. 20 due to a right oblique strain, which impacted a different area than a similar setback earlier in the season. The left-hander landed on the 15-day IL with a right oblique strain on June 15 and was activated on Sept. 1. Wicks also dealt with a left forearm strain early in the season. In 11 games (10 starts) overall for the Cubs this year, Wicks posted a 5.48 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 20 walks in 46 innings. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
RHP Cade Horton (right lat strain; *No. 3 on Cubs' Top Prospects list, No. 42 overall*)
Expected return: 2025
Horton¡¯s 2024 season ended in August after he suffered a setback in his rehab from the right subscapularis strain that sidelined him in May. Cubs GM Carter Hawkins said on Aug. 13 that, "at this point of the year and this point of his career, it's not something that we wanted to push. We feel confident that he'll be ready to rock and roll come Spring Training, and certainly he¡¯ll be part of our plans for next year."
Horton, who was Chicago¡¯s first-round pick (No. 7 overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft, exited his May 29 start for Triple-A Iowa after logging 20 pitches in one inning (two runs allowed) against Louisville. The righty posted a 7.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 11 walks in 18 innings (five starts) for Iowa, following a four-start stint (1.10 ERA with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 16 1/3 innings) with Double-A Tennessee to begin the season. (Last updated: Sept. 29)