The Chicago Cubs enter the 2025 offseason in a challenging position. After trading for Kyle Tucker last year, the franchise faces the near certainty of losing him to free agency, with projections suggesting Tucker could land a deal exceeding $400 million. Historically, the Cubs have never committed to a contract larger than $200 million, leaving the organization with a difficult balancing act: replace one of baseball’s premier talents while maintaining financial flexibility.
To avoid a dramatic drop in competitiveness, Chicago will need to add significant talent to its roster, particularly in pitching. Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball recently projected that the Cubs could target Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen, offering a two-year, $54 million contract in free agency. According to Finkelstein, the structure might include $30 million for the 2026 season with a $24 million player option for 2027, providing the Cubs with a measure of insurance while bolstering their rotation.
While Gallen comes off a down year compared to his peak performances in 2022 and 2023, he remains a talented right-handed starter capable of making an immediate impact. His addition would complement an already lefty-heavy rotation, giving the Cubs more balance and depth in their pitching staff.
Short-term contracts like the one proposed for Gallen often carry a higher average annual value than long-term deals, reflecting the risk teams take on recent performance dips. Nevertheless, if Gallen can regain the form that made him one of the league’s most reliable starters, the Cubs would effectively acquire a top-tier arm for a reasonable cost relative to his potential contribution.
Securing Gallen would be a key piece in Chicago’s strategy to remain competitive despite the anticipated loss of Tucker. With the offseason rapidly approaching, the Cubs must weigh short-term investments like this against the long-term implications for payroll and roster flexibility. While replacing a superstar such as Tucker is an enormous challenge, smart acquisitions in free agency and potential trades could help the team avoid a significant decline and keep them in contention in the National League Central.
