What Happened to Chicago Cubs?

The Chicago Cubs achieved one of the most celebrated milestones in sports history on November 2, 2016, by winning the World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought. This monumental victory, an 8-7 extra-inning triumph over the Cleveland Indians in Game 7, sparked widespread jubilation across Chicago and the baseball world. However, the years following this triumph saw the team enter a period of transition, as many of the beloved core players from the 2016 squad, including Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Báez, were eventually traded away by the 2021 trade deadline.

In the wake of these departures, Jed Hoyer, who had served as general manager, was promoted to President of Baseball Operations. He then appointed Carter Hawkins as the new General Manager on October 18, 2021, signaling a new era for the Cubs' front office. The team focused on player development and strategic acquisitions to rebuild for future contention. This rebuilding phase saw the Cubs miss the playoffs for several consecutive seasons. The 2024 season, under new manager Craig Counsell, who took the helm in the 2023-2024 offseason, saw the team finish with an 83-79 record, placing second in the NL Central but still missing the postseason.

The Cubs showed significant improvement in the 2025 season, finishing with a strong 92-70 record, their best start since the 2016 championship year. They secured a spot in the postseason, winning the National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres. However, their playoff run ended in the National League Division Series, where they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in a closely contested five-game series. This return to playoff contention fueled optimism for the future.

The 2025-2026 offseason saw the Cubs make several high-profile moves aimed at bolstering their roster. General Manager Carter Hawkins indicated a strong focus on improving the pitching staff. Key acquisitions included right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera, obtained in a trade from the Miami Marlins in January 2026, and the re-signing of left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, who accepted a $22 million qualifying offer in November 2025. The bullpen was also strengthened with the signing of Phil Maton to a two-year deal in November 2025. A significant offensive addition came in February 2026 with the signing of third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract. Additionally, Garrett Chiado was promoted to Assistant General Manager in January 2026, further solidifying the front office.

As of March 23, 2026, the Chicago Cubs are in Spring Training, preparing for the upcoming season. The 2026 Spring Training schedule began on February 20 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, and included a historic first-time visit from the New York Yankees. Manager Craig Counsell announced on March 12, 2026, that veteran Matthew Boyd would be the team's Opening Day starter. However, the team faced an early setback with outfielder Seiya Suzuki sustaining a sprained right knee while playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic on March 14, 2026, placing him on the injured list to start the season. The Cubs also made final roster adjustments on March 23, reassigning several players to minor league camp and adding veteran Michael Conforto to the 40-man roster. The 2026 regular season is scheduled to commence on March 26 against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, with high expectations for the team to contend for the NL Central title.