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The Obvious Choice for Next Chicago Cubs Contract Extension

By
Aldo Soto
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May 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) is greeted by second base Nico Hoerner (2) after hitting a three run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

As we wait to see the details on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s deal, fans have to be wondering who the Chicago Cubs will try to sign to a contract extension next. It shouldn’t take too long to think about because the answer is obvious. Picked in the 2018 MLB Draft and debuting in 2019, Nico Hoerner is not only one of the longest-tenured players on the team, but you can also argue that he embodies everything the Cubs want from their stars.

Hoerner may be underrated around MLB, but there’s no question how valuable he’s been with the Cubs. The gold-glove winning second baseman is one of several players on this year’s roster who are scheduled to become free agents following the 2026 season. He’ll turn 29-years-old in May, and looking ahead to next offseason’s free agent class, you can definitely see a scenario in which Hoerner wants to get to free agency no matter what kind of an offer the Cubs approach him with in-season.

In 2025, Hoerner was an elite defender and was recognized for his efforts with the second Gold Glove of his career at second base. The right-handed batter also posted a career high 109 wRC+, slashing .297/.345/.394, while stealing 29 bases and recording a 4.8 fWAR, the second most value created on the Cubs behind only Crow-Armstrong.

Dating back to 2022, Hoerner has been remarkably consistent in all aspects of his game. Even when he wasn’t tearing it up at the plate, Hoerner made it up for it with outstanding defense and great base running.

2022: 135 games, 281/.327/.410, 20 stolen bases, 108 wRC+, 13 OAA, 10 DRS, 4.3 fWAR
2023: 150 games, .283/.346/.383, 43 stolen bases, 103 wRC+, 13 OAA, 11 DRS, 4.5 fWAR
2024: 151 games, .273/.335/.373, 31 stolen bases, 102 wRC+, 10 OAA, 4 DRS, 3.9 fWAR
2025: 156 games, .297/.345/.394, 29 stolen bases, 109 wRC+, 14 OAA, 17 DRS, 4.8 fWAR

Below are the top free agent second basemen and shortstops following the 2026 season.

Second Base
Ozzie Albies (30) – $7MM club option
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (29)
Mauricio Dubon (32)
Luis Garcia Jr. (27)
Nico Hoerner (30)
Jonathan India (30)
Brandon Lowe (32)
Gavin Lux (29)
Nick Madrigal (30)
Amed Rosario (31)
Gleyber Torres (30)

Shortstop
J.P. Crawford (32)
Mauricio Dubon (32)
Ha-Seong Kim (31)
Kevin Newman (33)

The weak class of free agent shortstops could lead to Hoerner’s preference to test the market, so if the Cubs want to avoid competing with the rest of the league for him, then they’ll have to step up and make him a sizable offer.

So, here’s my crack at coming up with a contract extension for Hoerner.

Cubs Should Offer Nico Hoerner a 6-Year, $120 Million Extension

Here are some other recent contracts signed by prominent second basemen that leads to me to a six-year, $120 million projection for Hoerner.

Jose Altuve: 5 years, $125 million, $25m AAV (signed at 33)
Marcus Semien: 7 years, $175 million, $25m AAV (signed at 31)
Ketel Marte: 6 years, $116.5 million $19.4m AAV (signed at 31)
Andres Gimenez: 7 years, $106.5 million $15.2m AAV (signed at 24)

Signing Hoerner to a six-year extension would keep him with the Cubs through his age-35 season. Let’s get a little fancy with the structure.

Number one, give Hoerner the assurance that trade rumors will only matter on his terms with a full no-trade clause. The team did it for Ian Happ, and it was a sticking point in negotiations with Bregman this offseason, as the Cubs also provided the no-trade clause in his contract.

Secondly, guarantee the first five years at $95 million; the sixth year becomes a $25 million team option with a $10 million buyout.

The Cubs, even with Bregman’s new deal, don’t have too many other big contracts on the books during the next few years, so front load the money for Hoerner.

Year 1, $25 million
Year 2, $20 million
Year 3, $20 million
Year 4, $15 million
Year 5, $15 million
Year 6, $25 million option, $10 million buyout

Even with the buyout, Hoerner would earn $105 million over five years, averaging $21 million per year.

We’ll see if any talks progress between Hoerner and the Cubs this season. Out of the pending free agent position players, Hoerner seems like the only one with whom the Cubs are willing to negotiate prior to free agency.

Kayden McDonald Confirms Two Meetings With The Bears — And Why It’s Confusing

By
Erik Lambert
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kayden mcdonald
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) celebrates during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.

The Chicago Bears are getting through pro days and private visits with top draft prospects. They have just over a month left before the action begins on April 23rd. General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson still have tons of work to do before setting their board. The obvious challenge is determining who will be at or near the top. Several prospects are unlikely to be available to them at #25 overall. That means they must be realistic about who they have a reasonable shot at taking. One of those names is Kayden McDonald.

The big defensive tackle from Ohio State confirmed to Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated that he has met with the Bears twice. He met them formally at the scouting combine and has also visited Halas Hall for a top-30 visit.

I feel like I’ve been meeting with pretty much every NFL team. It’s a total blessing. Formal interviews, Zoom meetings, it really feels like it’s been every team (laughs). I had formals at the NFL Combine with the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and a few others.

I’ve been on Top 30 visits. I have one with the Bengals, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, Ravens, Bears.

Meeting with a defensive tackle shouldn’t be a surprise. The Bears have obvious needs along the defensive line with Andrew Billings gone, Grady Jarrett in his 30s, and Gervon Dexter in the last year of his contract. It isn’t McDonald’s talent that makes this supposed interest from Chicago so odd. It’s the type of player he is.

Kayden McDonald doesn’t fit Dennis Allen’s usual type.

Or more specifically, he doesn’t meet the parameters of defensive tackles that the Bears’ defensive coordinator has targeted in previous drafts. Since 2011, Allen has seen nine players drafted at that position. All who were selected before the 3rd round weighed no more than 300 lbs. In fact, only two of them weighed more than 310 lbs. One was 4th round pick Justin Ellis in 2014, and the other was 6th round pick Khristian Boyd in 2024. McDonald is listed at 326 lbs and is expected to go between the bottom of the 1st round or the top of the 2nd. That is far above the typical range Allen’s teams have added such players in the past.

So why the interest? McDonald is considered somewhat unique as a talent. Though he has the classic body of a nose tackle and the power to go with it, he is considered abnormally quick for his size. This allows him to shoot gaps and make plays in the backfield. This is before you discuss his excellent ability as a run defender. Some people see shades of Vince Wilfork, who had many similar qualities. It’s worth remembering the Bears were 27th against the run last season. Having somebody like McDonald in the middle could alleviate such problems.

The Bears might be willing to make an exception.

While Kayden McDonald is heavier than Allen’s preferred type of defensive tackle, he’s shown to be quick and explosive enough to overlook it. While not a pure penetrator from a pass-rush perspective, he has enough to complement his elite run-defending ability. Remember, Allen is a defensive coordinator who loves to blitz. To be effective in that department, the defense should aim to put opponents in long down-and-distance situations. Nothing makes that easier than a strong run defense.

Coach Johnson said his only goal is to add good football players to this roster. Measurables aside, McDonald is a good football player. If Allen can’t find a use for somebody with his unique skill, then maybe he shouldn’t be a coordinator in the NFL. Part of the problem for this team has been controlling the line of scrimmage. Too often, they’ve been easily pushed around by strong offensive lines. That would start changing with McDonald on the field. Everything boils down to whether Allen is willing to go outside his comfort zone.

Unlikeliest Player Making Chicago Cubs Opening Day Roster

By
Aldo Soto
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I don’t want to sound mean, and honestly, the Chicago Cubs are the ones making this roster move seem like a chore because, although it’s not 100% official yet, Scott Kingery will be on the team plane out of spring training. When it lands in Chicago, the Cubs will add Kingery to their Opening Day roster…unless they can find someone better.

That’s pretty much the final storyline a couple of days before Opening Day for the Cubs, who have just one decision left to make on the 26-man active roster. The pitching staff is set in place, as Ben Brown was picked over Javier Assad, and now Kingery is close to being the final man on the bench.

On Tuesday, outfielder Dylan Carlson confirmed that he would also be added to the team’s Opening Day roster, and again, if the Cubs can’t find a better option via trade or on the waiver wire, then Kingery will make it as well.

Kingery, now 31-years-old, was a top prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies nearly a decade ago. He was ranked in the top-40 in every major publication, and before he ever played in the majors, Kingery and the Phillies agreed to a six-year, $24 million contract extension. That deal ultimately ended poorly for Philadelphia, as Kingery was never able to fulfill his top-prospect expectations, and by the 2021 season, the infielder was vanished to the minor leagues.

If you’re the Cubs, then you obviously want this move to be as meaningless as possible. In reality, Kingery shouldn’t stick around for long, and as soon as Seiya Suzuki is fully recovered from his knee injury Kingery will be jettisoned from Chicago.

You can just tell how little the Cubs actually care about having Kingery or not, even at this point, when the team has publicly stated that they are interested in carrying another backup infielder.

With Kingery’s expected addition, the Cubs will have three players who were non-roster invitees to spring training on the Opening Day roster. However, out of the three, Kingery will surely have the smallest impact on the team, while Carlson and Conforto should be able to stick around for most, if not all, of the 2026 season. Carlson can be counted on as the fourth outfielder, serving as the primary backup in center field and a switch-hitting option off the bench. Conforto gives the team a bit of insurance from the left side of the plate in case rookie Moises Ballesteros ever gets into a rough patch, while also giving the team some left-handed pop.

In Kingery’s case, you kind of just hope that he doesn’t do anything to hurt the team if he’s ever used in any high-leverage spot. It’s doubtful that he would be the one called on in a big pinch-hitting situation, but maybe as a defensive sub or pinch-runner, the Cubs certainly don’t want him messing up in his limited playing time.

In 344 MLB games, Kingery has hit .227/.278/.382, which comes out to a 72 wRC+. The right-handed hitter has 30 career home runs, 19 of which came in 2019.

Frank Thomas Takes White Sox To Court Over City Connect Jerseys

By
Mitchell Kaminski
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Aug 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox former player and Hall of Fame member Frank Thomas prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox have found themselves in the crosshairs of Frank Thomas once again, but this time in the courts. 

In February, Thomas warned the White Sox that he was “taking receipts” after only being mentioned in a brief aside in the team’s Black History Month post. While Thomas was included in the context of Dick Allen becoming the first Black player to win a league MVP in 1972, with Thomas later winning back-to-back MVP awards in 1993 and 1994, that limited mention was enough to irk the Hall of Fame slugger, who spent 16 of his 19 major-league seasons on the South Side.

Over a month later, it appears that those feelings have not subsided. On March 19th, Thomas filed a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox, accusing the team of violating the Illinois Right of Publicity Act, by selling City Connect jerseys featuring his name and jersey number since April 2025, without his permission or compensation. 

While the case is filed as Thomas vs. the Chicago White Sox, the defendants include Nike and Fantatics Apparel. Several high-profile entities are also named, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Chicago Bulls, and major retailers such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Mitchell and Ness, and MLB Shop Fan Services are also listed as possible defendants. 

According to court documents, Frank Thomas alleges that Nike, Fanatics, and the White Sox profited from using his identity for commercial gain by selling the new “City Connect 2.0” jerseys without his consent. In doing so, Thomas argues the team “commercially exploited the goodwill associated with Frank Thomas’s name and uniform number in connection with the White Sox and Nike branding to promote and increase sales,” and further leveraged “the goodwill associated with Frank Thomas’ professional baseball career” to enhance the jerseys’ marketability.

The lawsuit also includes photos of two White Sox City Connect jerseys with his name on them, as well as a mannequin displayed at Guaranteed Rate Field with the number 35, but no name on the back. 

This isn’t the first time Frank Thomas has been involved in a legal dispute tied to the Chicago White Sox. In 2011, Thomas settled a lawsuit against doctors contracted by the team, alleging a misdiagnosis of a fractured foot in 2004 led to a reinjury the following season. The setback limited him to just 34 games in 2005 and kept him out of the White Sox’s World Series run.

Even after being named a franchise ambassador in 2010 and having his No. 35 retired in 2016, tension has lingered between Thomas and the organization. In 2002, then–general manager Kenny Williams and Thomas clashed after the team cut his salary using a “diminished skills” clause—just the beginning of a strained relationship.

That friction escalated in 2006 when Thomas was effectively replaced by Jim Thome. He was angered that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf never personally informed him he wouldn’t be returning, a courtesy Thomas felt he had earned as the greatest player in franchise history. Williams only intensified matters, publicly calling Thomas an “idiot” and telling him to “stay out of White Sox business.”

Whether that relationship can ever be fully repaired remains unclear. But after multiple public clashes this offseason, it’s hard to envision Thomas being invited back to 35th and Shields anytime soon.

Why Rueben Bain To The Bears Has Become A Very Real Possibility

By
Erik Lambert
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rueben bain
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Since the college season ended, most people believed Miami defensive end Rueben Bain was a lock to be a top 15 pick in the 2026 draft. His dominance throughout last season was impossible to ignore. The tape was littered with impact plays. Yet as the draft draws closer, Bain’s stock seems to be sagging. He isn’t generating the kind of buzz you’d expect from a projected top pick, leading some to wonder if he’s in store for a tumble down boards on opening night. Could that mean the Chicago Bears are in play?

It sounds crazy considering they pick 25th overall. Nobody dared believe Bain would be anywhere close to that range. However, the fact that Bears general manager Ryan Poles showed up at Miami’s pro day suggests he has knowledge that the possibility exists. He has a habit of attending pro days of players the Bears intend to draft if given the opportunity. Does he think Bain is there for the taking? There is growing evidence that the stars might be aligning for it to happen.

Rueben Bain can’t escape the measurements.

One of the primary talking points surrounding the pass rusher is his arm length. It was always clear his arms were shorter than average, but things took a turn when it was revealed they were barely over 30 inches long. That is exceedingly short. Remember, 33 is considered the preferred minimum at the pro level. The highest a pass rusher with arms below 32 inches has been drafted in the past 20 years was Melvin Ingram, who went 18th in 2012. NFL.com draft expert Chad Reuter provided more context to this situation.

Barnett was an incredibly productive pass rusher in college, racking up 33 sacks in three seasons. He still only went 14th in the draft. Robinson was labeled as the next Micah Parsons by many going into his draft. He didn’t go until the 21st pick. Neither player has had what you’d call a dominant career to this point, though both have been good. None of this helps Bain’s case for going high in the 1st round. Nothing has indicated he can be an exception to the rule, and his conduct ahead of the draft isn’t helping.

Bain has avoided testing like the plague.

The Miami standout has sworn up and down that the measurements mean nothing. Watch the tape. That is fine. However, he hasn’t exactly done the best job of assuaging fears. Not only did Rueben Bain skip athletic testing at the scouting combine last month, but he also at his pro day on Monday. While he may think it doesn’t matter, such actions lead NFL teams to think he might be trying to hide something. Marvin Harrison Jr. did the same thing in 2024. Though he still went #4 overall, his career to this point has been disappointing. Don’t think for a second teams don’t have that in the back of their minds, especially since Bain isn’t near the athlete Harrison was.

All of this suits the Bears just fine. Picking 25th means they incur far less risk than a team in the top 15. They can afford to take the gamble on Bain because the pick value is far lower. If he doesn’t pan out, it hurts, but it doesn’t cripple you. Still, players like him, with his never-say-die playing style, tend to produce at the NFL level. Bain doesn’t have the highest ceiling of players in this class, but he should be able to produce immediately. For a playoff hopeful team like the Bears, that is good.

Discount Devon Witherspoon? Why Bears Are Showing Major Interest In Rising CB

By
Erik Lambert
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devon witherspoon
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes (2) intercepts the ball against Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cornerback isn’t discussed a lot among the Chicago Bears’ roster needs going into the draft as much as defensive line and safety. Perhaps it should be. After all, they lost Nahshon Wright to free agency. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon both suffered multiple injury setbacks last year. Tyrique Stevenson is in the last year of his contract. Zah Frazier hasn’t played a down yet. There is a lot of uncertainty around the position. Odds are higher than we realize that they will add to the position in the draft next month. So, how about a possible starter kit version of Devon Witherspoon?

The Seattle Seahawks’ star cornerback might not be the standard template for the position compared to others, but he’s established his reputation as a relentless, hard-nosed warrior who fights to win every single snap. It appears the Bears may be interested in a player who exhibits similar traits. Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes revealed recently to Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated that he had a formal interview with the team. It isn’t hard to see why.

I’ve met with a good amount of teams. I had roughly 14 formal interviews at the NFL Combine, with teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders, both New York teams [Giants and Jets], and others.

I’ve been on a few in-person visits already, with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, and I have a few more coming up. I’ve been excited to see these facilities and meet with these coaches.

Stukes is Devon Witherspoon if he were older and less hyped.

The cornerback is already 24 years old, having spent six seasons in college. Don’t take that as a sign he wasn’t productive. Stukes earned a reputation as a physical, relentless player who also served as the unquestioned heart and soul of the defense. Everybody looked to him for leadership and guidance. That came both from his natural personality and his intense work ethic. Nobody studied more film and prepared harder each week. It showed on Saturdays with his ability to identify what opposing receivers tried to do with their route combinations.

On top of that, he’s a phenomenal athlete. Stukes blew up the scouting combine last month with a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump. Such juice, while also being 6’1″, makes it easy to understand why the Bears like him. Secondary coach Al Harris is a big proponent of long and athletic cornerbacks. We saw that last year with Wright and Frazier. Stukes is built the same way, but is much more physical as a run defender. He seems tailor-made for a city like Chicago.

Stukes also gives the Bears options at a critical position.

While there were plenty of problems with the defense last year, arguably the biggest was their slot coverage. Opponents routinely exposed them in that area, largely because Gordon was injured most of the season. Amon-Ra St. Brown in particular gave them nightmares. They have to improve their slot coverage. Stukes is equipped for that job. It was often his responsibility for Arizona and he handled it well. The tricky part for him as his pro career unfolds will be improving his man coverage.

Right now, Stukes is more of a zone corner. That is the main difference between him and Devon Witherspoon. The eventual 1st round pick was good at both. Stukes has some technique issues that have held him back from being a complete player. Thankfully, Harris is one of the best man coverage coaches in the business. It’s been his calling card for years. Nobody is more qualified to help the young corner get over that hump. If the Bears go down this road, look for his name to be called somewhere on day two.

Three Names To Monitor In The NCAA Tournament For The Chicago Bulls

By
Ryan Dauterive
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Feb 16, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba II (21) dunks the ball gainst the Syracuse Orange during the during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Arturas Karnisovas and his self-proclaimed deadline masterclass on how to rebuild a roster have landed Chicago in familiar waters. With 11 games left in the regular season, all indications point to the Bulls being somewhere between the eighth and tenth slots in the draft lottery. While Chicago may muster up some luck and land at the top of the order, the more likely outcome is owning a pick somewhere in the range of eight to twelve. Assuming that is their final destination in the upcoming draft, here are three names to watch in March Madness over the coming weeks that’ve been rumored to be selected in that range, fit the Bulls’ roster needs, and have been mocked to head to the Windy City.

3. Brayden Burries

The first name that cracks the list is an electric 20-year-old guard who plays for the Arizona Wildcats. Arturas Karnisovas has already plucked from this mixing pot once, grabbing Dalen Terry in 2022 with the 18th overall selection. Obviously, Terry didn’t pan out the way Chicago had hoped, and this time around, they’d be targeting a higher-level scoring option in Burries, and one that can pair well in the backcourt with Josh Giddey. Although the current roster has an overflow of guards, most are set to hit free agency this summer, leaving the Bulls with options on how to proceed in finding a suitable running mate for Giddey’s playmaking. Burries has surged up draft boards lately, scoring 20 or more in five of his last nine outings and averaging 17.0 points per game thus far in the NCAA Tournament. While guard help is not the number one priority, his ability to score at all three levels would instantly bolster Chicago’s offensive attack and fit well with the fast-paced offensive style they deploy.

2. Koa Peat

The second-best guess for who may be wearing the Chicago Bulls hat on draft night is teammate Burries’ teammate, Koa Peat. With Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis assuming the majority of the scoring duties, both will land near 20 points per game on the year. Karnisovas will be on the hunt for more than just offensive firepower. Enter Arizona’s 6’8″ gritty forward. Peat is known for his defensive toughness and rebounding prowess. Think Patrick Williams, but upgraded. He’s only 18 years old, averaging almost 14 points and 6 rebounds per night, and has poured in 20 or more points on 6 occasions in his freshman campaign. Karnisovas has often opted for the youngest options in the NBA draft, and this would be a prime candidate that fits his selection trends. Peat and Burries would be selected with confidence from a Tommy Lloyd tree that features over 25 years of combined coaching experience at Gonzaga and Arizona.

1. Patrick Ngongba II

The most likely candidate to be selected by the Chicago Bulls in the upcoming draft is Patrick Ngongba II. At only 18 years old and filling the most obvious positional need for Karnisovas’s roster, this is a slam-dunk pick. He’s currently representing Duke University, and although he’s often overlooked playing alongside a surefire top-three pick in Cameron Boozer and a star-studded lineup overall, this youngster is primed to make an immediate impact at the next level. His rim-protecting abilities, strong frame, and physical style of play are ideal fits for a rebuilding Chicago roster. Despite missing a few games to injury, he’s putting up over 11 points and six rebounds per night. With the center position being the heavy-favorite for the Bulls front office in a few months on draft night, Ngongba II makes the most sense with where they will be selecting.

While all of Chicago is hoping the Bulls can stir up some lottery luck, land in the top-five, and grab a franchise-altering talent, these three names are the most likely outcomes of another year being stuck in the middle of the first round. Who will you be pulling for Karnisovas to draft?

Those Pesky Cole Kmet Rumors Have Resurfaced — And Why They Haven’t Died

By
Erik Lambert
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cole kmet
Aug 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

For the past couple of months, tight end Cole Kmet has been surrounded by rumors of being traded. The primary reasoning behind this was basic math. The Chicago Bears were low on available cap space. Colston Loveland was the clear #1 tight end moving forward. Paying over $11 million to a #2 guy doesn’t make much business sense. Trading Kmet would net the Bears a draft pick and net the team $8.4 million in cap space. It already happened to D.J. Moore, so the possibility felt real.

However, the first waves of free agency came and went with nothing happening. Most took that as a sign that the Bears were never considering moving on from Kmet. Yet even now, the rumor won’t die. Bleacher Report was the latest to bring it up, stating the Bears still haven’t solved their salary cap issue. Unless they’re willing to restructure a contract or two, they don’t have enough space to absorb their draft class next month. That means somebody else must be shipping out. Kmet is the only logical option.

The issue for the Bears is that they spent heavily while turning over their 29th-ranked defense. After adding the likes of Neville Gallimore, Coby Bryant, Devin Bush, and Jack Sanborn, Chicago is left with a league-low $1 million in effective cap space.

If the Bears can’t work out a restructure or find a trade partner for Kmet, they can save $9 million by releasing him after June 1. If Chicago can add some depth behind Loveland over draft weekend, releasing Kmet would make a good amount of financial sense.

If Kmet does become available, adding him should be a priority for virtually any team in need of a pass-catching tight end.

Cole Kmet isn’t going anywhere.

For one, there was never any indication last season that he was on the outs with the new coaching staff. Bears head coach Ben Johnson likes to run a system featuring lots of “12” personnel. That means having two tight ends on the field. The logical course would be having two guys who can catch the football. Loveland and Kmet both can. That is why the offense was so effective throughout the year. While Loveland was the more dynamic weapon, Kmet came up huge in big spots. See the Eagles and Rams games for evidence.

Don’t forget the Bears already let Durham Smythe walk in free agency. Trading Cole Kmet would suddenly leave the tight end position dangerously thin. It doesn’t make logistical sense. If the Bears wanted to gain some salary cap relief, the better option would be giving Kmet a minor contract extension. They could move the money around to make his cap hit smaller while ensuring a key piece on offense stays put. He’s only 27 years old. The value remains high.

Trading Moore was necessary. His production had dipped, and his contract was far more expensive than Kmet’s. The same was true of Tremaine Edmunds. Neither player showcased their value to the team quite like Kmet did last season. Sure, the contract situation is a little larger than normal for someone of his role, but that doesn’t mean the team can’t work around it.

Chicago Cubs Opening Day Roster Implications: Kevin Alcántara Optioned to Triple-A

By
Aldo Soto
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Iowa Cubs' Kevin Alcantara (9) runs to the dugout during opening day against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Principal Park in Des Moines.

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara was one of the finalists to grab a bench spot on the team’s Opening Day roster, but he’s now officially out of the mix. According to the Cubs’ transactions page, Alcántara has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Now that the Cubs have sent Alcántara to the minors, the bench picture becomes much clearer.

Michael Conforto has already been confirmed on the Opening Day roster, as Seiya Suzuki will begin the regular season on the 10-day injured list. So, that’s one slot filled, and soon another free-agent outfielder brought in to compete in spring training will be added to the roster as well.

Dylan Carlson seems like a slam dunk to be on the Opening Day roster, essentially beating out Alcántara. That leaves one final bench spot open, which will come down to how much the Cubs like Scott Kingery, and if they can find anyone better from outside the organization before Thursday.

The Cubs already hinted at adding another infielder before Opening Day this past weekend. Matt Shaw won’t be the only backup infielder to begin the regular season, and as things currently stand, it appears as though Kingery may end up as the last bench player. The former Philadelphia Phillies prospect fizzled out after 2019, but despite being 31-years-old, Kingery has minor league options remaining, and he does provide defensive flexibility with his ability to play all around the infield.

In Patrick Mooney’s latest projection, Kingery does make the Opening Day roster as the fourth bench bat.

Projected 2026 Opening Day Cubs Roster

The Cubs start the 2026 regular season at home against the Washington Nationals. Their 26-man roster will most likely look like this:

Positions Players
Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya, Moises Ballesteros
Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman, Matt Shaw, Scott Kingery
Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson

Pitchers
Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shōta Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon
Ben Brown, Colin Rea, Jacob Webb, Hoby Milner, Caleb Thielbar, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, Daniel Palencia

So, Kingery will either be the 26th man on the roster or the Cubs will bring in another infielder, either by claiming a player on waivers or by making a minor trade to upgrade that part of the roster.

Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong Close to Signing Contract Extension

By
Aldo Soto
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Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) celebrates while running the bases after scoring a homer in the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, Friday, May 23, 2025, at Great American Ball Park in Downtown Cincinnati.

OH HELL YEAH! The Chicago Cubs and Pete Crow-Armstrong are reportedly close to signing a contract extension just a few days before Opening Day. The two sides have been trying to work out a deal since last year, and after a failed attempt prior to the 2025 season, the Cubs are now closing in on a new deal for Crow-Armstrong that guarantees he’ll be in center field at Wrigley Field for the long haul.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report that an agreement between the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong was being finalized on Monday night. Just last week, national MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that the Cubs were willing to significantly increase their offer to Crow-Armstrong after they approached him last spring training. The initial offer in 2025 was between the $60 million and $90 million range, depending on a few different reports.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has also reported that the Cubs are closing in on a contract extension with Crow-Armstrong, although no numbers have been confirmed as of yet.

In 2025, Crow-Armstrong led the Cubs with a 5.4 fWAR, won a gold glove in center field, and had the franchise’s first 30/30 season since the mid-90s.

According to Passan, Crow-Armstrong’s extension will begin in 2027. It is a six-year, contract extension worth $115 million. That will guarantee Crow-Armstrong will be with the Cubs through the 2032 season, meaning this deal bought out four years of arbitration and two free agent years. The main difference in this contract extension that differs from recent ones around the league is that the Cubs did not include any further player or team options that could have potentially led to a much longer agreement.

That being said, the two sides obviously had no issues coming to a deal and it is very possible that the Cubs and Crow-Armstrong could eventually rip up this current contract and sign a new extension if he wants to stick around and if the Cubs want him as he hopefully continues to ascent in the league.

Oh, and by the way, March 25, is Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 24th birthday.

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