Cubs scheduled to meet with Sasaki (report)

MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest Cubs-related free agent and trade rumors right here.

Dec. 20: Cubs reportedly scheduled to meet in person with Sasaki
The Cubs were expected to have an in-person meeting with Roki Sasaki in Los Angeles on Friday, according to a report from Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, marking the next step in their courtship of the Japanese phenom. More >

Dec. 18: What is Cubs' next move after trading Bellinger? Likely pitching
A trade involving Cody Bellinger seemed like a foregone conclusion once the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker from the Astros, adding another prominent player to what was already a crowded outfield. On Tuesday, the Cubs did find a match for Bellinger, sending him to the Yankees along with $5 million in return for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet.

Poteet, a fourth-round Draft pick by the Marlins in 2015, has experience both as a starter and a reliever in the Majors, but he’s been mostly a starting pitcher in the Minors, compiling a 3.76 ERA over parts of nine seasons. He has a 3.80 ERA in 24 MLB games (13 starts).

Besides clearing up that logjam and adding a versatile pitcher, the Cubs also gained some financial flexibility as Bellinger is owed $27.5 million for 2025. He also has a $25 million player option for ’26, with a $5 million buyout.

According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, the club is considering using some of that newfound flexibility to add a free-agent reliever. Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, Kirby Yates, Carlos Estévez and David Robertson are some of the top names still available in a reliever market that has been slow to develop this offseason.

The Cubs also have been involved in the trade market for starting pitching help.

Chicago has been working on a deal to acquire Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo, according to Bruce Levine of 670 AM The Score. The 27-year-old hurler, who struck out 208 batters in 178 2/3 innings in 2023, is arbitration-eligible for the next two seasons. They are also interested in Mariners starter Luis Castillo, per Ryan Divish and Adam Jude of The Seattle Times (subscription required). He is owed $68.25 million over the next three years and has a $25 million vesting option for 2028. He would give the Cubs a dependable right-handed ace in what is now a lefty-dominant rotation, with Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd.

A trade for either starting pitcher would likely require the Cubs to surrender some valuable prospects, but Chicago has seven Top 100 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.

Dec. 16: Cubs would reportedly 'really like' to complete Luzardo trade soon
Bruce Levine of 670 AM The Score in Chicago reported on Saturday that the Cubs are in talks with the Marlins about a possible trade involving left-handed starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo. On Monday, Levine added that a deal for Luzardo is "something [the Cubs] would really like to get done here in the next few days. They've been working on it."

USA Today's Bob Nightengale has also reported on the Cubs' interest in the 27-year-old lefty.

Luzardo is under club control for two more seasons, and Miami's asking price reportedly includes one of the Cubs' top bats in the Minor Leagues. According to Levine, the Marlins desire young, controllable hitters for Luzardo, and either outfielder Owen Caissie (Cubs' No. 2 prospect, MLB's No. 34) or second baseman/outfielder James Triantos (Cubs' No. 5 prospect, MLB's No. 55) would likely be included in a deal.

Luzardo was hampered by injuries this past season, but he was one of the top starters in the National League in 2023. He struck out 208 batters in 178 2/3 innings and recorded a 3.58 ERA that year.

Even after dealing for star outfielder Kyle Tucker on Friday, the Cubs have been linked to multiple starting pitchers in the trade market. Beyond Luzardo, they have shown interest in Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo, per Ryan Divish and Adam Jude of The Seattle Times (subscription required).

If the Cubs get Luzardo, he would become the latest left-handed option in a rotation that already has four of them: Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd and Jordan Wicks.