Chicago Cubs: How the looming labor dispute might affect free agent shopping

Not only are the Chicago Cubs facing the herculean task of addressing pressing needs and filling multiple roster holes this offseason, but they’ll be trying to do that in a limited period of time.

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Looming large on the horizon is what stands to be an ugly labor dispute that threatens to shut down baseball well into the spring or beyond. Between the last out of the World Series and 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1—when the current collective bargaining agreement expires—there’s expected to be a frenzy of free agent activity as teams rush to scoop up assets before being led into the unknown.

The Cubs have a lot to do this offseason and are expected to be the most frenzied of the shoppers, with sixteen of their own players possibly heading off into free agency. They need to almost entirely rebuild their starting rotation. They will look to fortify the back-end of their bullpen. They will also need to find a pair of starting corner outfielders, a catcher, and some bench depth.

During the last mad dash to add assets before a looming labor dispute in 2021, the Cubs signed pitcher Marcus Stroman to a three-year deal almost right at the December 1 buzzer. This year’s free agent shopping mania is expected to be even greater.

Hoyer speaks on 2027 challenges

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“That period’s going to be active,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told The Athletic. “If deals make sense, regardless of the structure, I think they’re going to get done. Last time, there was sort of a sprint in the moments before, and then there was a sprint in the moments after. That may be a blueprint for how this goes again.”

“We’re going to have to have a good offseason,” Hoyer added. “We’re going to have to be creative. We’re going to have to fill a number of holes. I don’t think the timing affects that; I think that can get done. We have to make good decisions. And we have to find deals that make sense for both sides.”

But as much as Hoyer has assured that good deals are good deals and that they’ll be pursued regardless of the upcoming labor issues, things are bound to be different than in any normal year.

How things might be different

For one, the limited time in which to court free agents may lead to Chicago connecting first with 2026 Cubs heading into free agency, with whom they already have a relationship. That might mean Matthew Boyd and Clay Holmes, looking at a mutual option and a player option, respectively, could be approached for a new deal first. It might also mean David Peterson could be made an offer after clearly flourishing in Chicago and under Cubs coaching in the second half of 2026.

Closeness could also make a Seiya Suzuki reunion more likely, although it’s still widely expected that he’ll be lost on the open market. Left fielder Ian Happ, however, might be a strong candidate to return if the Cubs choose to engage with him.

The Cubs will surely scoop up some fresh faces via free agency, but it wouldn’t be surprise at all if some of the outgoing Cubs end up staying put.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-free-agents-2027-labor-dispute-lockout-holmes-peterson-happ-suzuki/