Cubs Shake Up Roster: Key Players Traded in Two Separate Deals
The Chicago Cubs have made several significant moves to shake up their roster in December, focusing on trades and acquisitions to bolster both pitching and positional depth.
On December 17, the Cubs traded outfielder Cody Bellinger, along with cash, to the Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet. This deal came as the Cubs sought to address their surplus of outfielders. Bellinger, who won the 2019 National League MVP award, had long been rumored to be on the trade block. Despite his standout performance, the Cubs already had a crowded outfield with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, and the recent arrival of Kyle Tucker. Poteet, 30, adds valuable pitching depth to the Cubs’ roster. Over the past three seasons, he posted a solid 3.80 ERA in 83 Major League innings with the Miami Marlins and New York Yankees.
Also on December 17, the Cubs traded catcher Matt Thaiss to the White Sox in exchange for cash. Thaiss had been acquired by the Cubs from the Angels in November but found himself pushed down the depth chart following the Cubs’ signing of catcher Carson Kelly. Kelly, 30, joined the team on a two-year contract that includes a mutual option for a third season in 2027. He will earn $5 million in each of the next two years, with a $7.5 million option or $1.5 million buyout for 2027. Kelly hit .238/.313/.374 in 2024, contributing nine home runs and 37 RBIs while playing for the Tigers and Rangers. He is expected to split catching duties with Miguel Amaya in the upcoming season.
Earlier, on December 13, the Cubs made a splash by acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros in a trade that sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third-base prospect Cam Smith (ranked No. 73 on Pipeline’s Top 100 list) to Houston. Tucker, a three-time All-Star and the 2023 recipient of both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award, has been one of the most consistent players in the American League. Despite a fractured shin limiting him to just 78 games in 2023, he still managed an impressive .289/.408/.585 slash line with 23 homers and 49 RBIs. He also posted a 1.040 OPS in September after returning from injury. Tucker is eligible for arbitration this offseason and will be under team control through the 2025 season.
In another December move, on December 11, the Cubs selected infielder Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers’ system in the Rule 5 draft. Workman, who will turn 26 in 2024, is a left-handed hitter and was a standout in Double-A last season, slashing .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 29 doubles, and 30 stolen bases. He is expected to compete for a bench role with the Cubs.
Finally, on December 7, the Cubs signed left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd to a two-year contract worth $29 million, with an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Boyd, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a strong finish to the 2024 season with the Cleveland Indians, posting a 2.72 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. He was also impressive in three postseason outings, allowing only one run across 11 2/3 innings. Boyd, 34, will provide depth to the Cubs’ pitching staff.
These moves reflect the Cubs’ ongoing strategy to strengthen their roster across multiple areas heading into the new season.