Chicago Cubs making big “next year” moves while focusing on this year

The Chicago Cubs won’t be able to let up, even if they end up clinching a playoff spot today or tomorrow.

They are currently tied with the San Diego Padres for the top National League Wild Card seed—and the important home field advantage in the Wild Card round. They’re also just one game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. This NL Wild Card race will likely be a dog fight over the remaining seven games of the regular season.

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But that doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t have one eye firmly fixed on the future.

Maneuverings aimed at answering some of next year’s roster questions have already become evident as the team faces a good degree of uncertainty heading into 2027.

The biggest uncertainty facing next season’s team is pitching.

Chicago’s bullpen has been wildly inconsistent and, at times, has appeared to be in full-on collapse mode. Injury has forced the team to rely on castoffs from other teams and on arms picked up via minor league contracts.

But the Cubs do have some firm early bullpen plans as this season comes to a close.

Eyes on the 2027 bullpen

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Veteran Shelby Miller, who was signed to a two-year contract this offseason, had come back from last fall’s elbow surgery a lot sooner than expected. It was so much sooner that many thought the talented reliever would return in time for this year’s postseason. That wasn’t the case, though, and the Cubs decided to shut Miller down for the year, despite solid showings in multiple minor league rehab assignment outings.

Rookie southpaw reliever Riley Martin was a breakthrough bullpen asset very early in the season, but was lost for the year with a left elbow flexor strain. However, he’s been back working a rehab assignment and showing signs of a full recovery. Veteran reliever Phil Maton, meanwhile, underwent right knee surgery to address an issue that likely contributed to an uncharacteristically poor debut season in Chicago. He’s under contract through the 2027 season.

Heading into 2027, the Cubs will have healthy veterans Miller and Maton back in the bullpen and a talented sophomore also healthy and ready to go. On paper, at least, this looks like a solid base to add to the relief corps also slated to return next year.

First base, outfield plans

Meanwhile, the need for a backup to Michael Busch at first base is also being addressed this late-season.

Down at Triple-A Iowa, catcher of the future Owen Ayers has gotten some looks at first. Recently, outfielder Kevin Alcantara has also gotten some playing time there. Neither Ayers nor Alcantara will ever be full-time options at first base and they probably won’t even get all that much time there if/when they become full-time major leaguers, but the Cubs brain trust is actively looking for added value from both in anticipation of a 2027 promotion.

Then, there are the corner outfield spots, currently manned by possibly outgoing free agents Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki.

The Cubs have done well with the veteran presence of Michael Conforto and the trade deadline acquisition of Tyrone Taylor, but both are also free agency-eligible at the end of this season. With top outfield prospects Josiah Hartshorn, Kane Kepley, and Ethan Conrad still a year or two away from seriously vying for a major league roster spot, Chicago will need someone for right and/or left as soon as this coming season.

Matt Shaw has gotten some playing time in the outfield and so has Pedro Ramirez—both at the minor league and major league level. Both young talents have impressed with their versatility, attitude, and all-around ability.

So, the Cubs are making their 2027 moves even as they are in the thick of a push to the playoffs in the here and now. They’re hoping that next year’s plans come into place after a satisfying end to 2026.

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