The Cubs still have work to do to fill out their 2026 roster. While the 40-man now is full, there are certainly a couple of players who I sure are seen as expendable. Also, I would expect the Cubs to bring in some players on minor league deals with Spring training invites – and opt outs if they aren’t in the majors by a certain date.
There is also the possibility that Matt Shaw or Nico Hoerner could be traded. While I see these chances as remote, if a team brings them a package impossible to refuse, they might have to listen.
Bleed Cubbie Blue beat me to this by about a week, and here’s what they posted: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-analysis/205189/cubs-opening-day-roster-2026-another-early-look
I agree, for the most part, but took a look at all the players on the 40-man roster. The number in parentheses is the number of minor league option years the player has remaining.
Locks (18):
- Carson Kelly (0) – Catcher
- Michael Busch (2) – First Base
- Nico Hoerner (0) – Second Base
- Dansby Swanson (0) – Shortstop
- Alex Bregman (0)- Third Base
- Seiya Suzuki (3) – Right Field / Designated Hitter
- Pete Crow Armstrong (2) – Center Field
- Ian Happ (0) – Left Field
- Matthew Boyd (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Cade Horton (3) – Starting Pitcher
- Shota Imanaga (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Justin Steele (0) – Starting Pitcher (may start on 60-day IL)
- Jameson Taillon (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Edward Cabrera (0) – Starting Pitcher
- Daniel Palencia (2) – Closer
- Phil Maton (0) – Reliever
- Hunter Harvey (0) – Reliever
- Caleb Thielbar (0) – Reliever
- Colin Rea (0) – Swingman
I’m not sure there is much controversy here. Steele will start the season on the IL, which leaves an extra roster spot. That leaves 3 openings for either signings or players from the “Possible” section to get a spot.
I don’t think any of these players with minor league options would be sent down. There’s a small chance that Palencia or Horton – if they were REALLY struggling and needed a reset in Iowa for a couple weeks – would get some non-injury minor league time in 2026. Technically, Suzuki has options due to coming over from Japan mid-career, but there is no chance this would happen. He would only go to the minors on an injury assignment. The same is true for Busch and PCA, as I see no situation where either would be sent to the minors.
Near Locks (2)
- Miguel Amaya (0) – Catcher
- Matt Shaw (2) – Infielder
Barring a trade, I don’t see how either of these players don’t make the team. The Cubs need a infielder on the bench, and Shaw can play enough positions to be fill-in guy. I see him getting plenty of at bats giving other players days off. Amaya needs to stay healthy, but he will get plenty of playing time, especially if he hits as well as he did last season. It was a smaller sample, but he actually hit better than Kelly (124 wRC+ versus 115 wRC+) last season.
Probables (3)
- Moises Ballesteros (2) – Designated Hitter/Catcher/First Base
- Tyler Austin (0) – Designated Hitter/First Base/Corner Outfield
- Hoby Milner (0) – Reliever
Austin and Milner don’t have minor league options, so I expect both to make the 26-man roster. Milner is the Cubs #2 lefty after Thielbar and Austin – unless there is another sighing – will probably platoon with Ballesteros at DH, as he has a good track record against lefties in his career, with an .884 OPS. I cant seem to find his splits from his stats in Japan, but overall he had a .945 OPS over 6 seasons. He can also play in the outfield – but I’m guessing the Cubs won’t use him there too much in 2026, and not at all in Center.
Ballesteros did well (.298/.394/.474) in a small sample size, getting an opportunity after Own Caissie was concussed. He’s still only 22, and it’s possible he’s not quite ready, but I think the Cubs want to give him the opportunity.
Possibles (7)
- Kevin Alcantara (1) – Outfield
- Jacob Webb (0) – Reliever
- Ben Brown (1) – Reliever
- Javier Assad (2) – Swingman
- Porter Hodge (2) – Reliever
- Luke Little (1) – Reliever
- Jordan Wicks (2) – Reliever
Webb should possibly be moved up, based on his lack of minor league options. But he’s only getting $1.5 million, so if he doesn’t perform well, the Cubs could cut him loose. Although, based on what happened to Ryan Pressly last season, I suppose any of the relievers could be seen as expendable.
One of Wicks, Brown, Assad, Hodge and Little will probably make the 26-man roster as the 8th reliever. But I expect all to get some time in the majors due to injury or ineffectiveness. I think Assad or Brown have the early advantage, and how they look in Spring Training might be the deciding factor.
Kevin Alcantara is currently the 4th outfielder (and backup to PCA), but I expect the Cubs to sign someone to be on the bench, and for Alcantara to play everyday in Iowa. If an outfielder gets hurt, Alcantara could come up as he’d get regular playing time. As for who the Cubs could sign, Mike Tauchman would be a good fit. He can play all 3 outfield positions, and would give them another left handed hitter off the bench – as the other anticipated bench hitters would be Shaw, Amaya and Austin – all righties.
Unlikely (5)
- James Triantos (3) – Infielder
- Scott Kingery (2) – Infielder – Non-Roster
- Ethan Roberts (1) – Reliever
- Riley Martin (3) – Releiver
- Jack Neely (1) – Reliever
- Gavin Hollowell (1) – Reliever
- Ryan Rolison (1) – Pitcher
If Shaw or Hoerner is traded, that could provide a slight opening to Kingery or Triantos. Kingery is not on the 40-man roster, so a spot would need to be opened for him to have a chance. Otherwise, I would not expect to see either of these two infielders in the majors unless there is an injury. The wild card is that both have played in Centerfield, so there’s a small chance that flexibility could get them on the roster.
We might see one of these relievers make it to the majors, but there are several guys ahead of them. Roberts, Neely, Hollowell and Rolison are in their last minor league option year, so unless they dominate in Iowa, we may not see them in a Cubs uniform next year.
Very unlikely (4)
- Christian Bethancourt (0) – Catcher – Non-roster
- Justin Dean (3) – Outfielder
- Ben Cowles (2) – Infielder
- Jonathan Long (n/a) – First Base – Minors
Bethancourt is the Reece McGuire of this year, as injury insurance for Amaya and Kelly. Dean and Cowles may get waived again if the Cubs need a 40-man roster spot. I see them as minor league depth, but Dean has shown good speed and defense.
Long did not need to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. With Michael Busch locked in at first base, I think he is a candidate to be involved in a trade deadline deal. As he is not on the 40-man roster, he minor league option years have not been calculated yet.
No Chance / Rule 5 Guys (1)
- Pedro Ramirez (3) – Infielder
Ramirez is only on the 40-man due to Rule 5, which has started the clock on his option years,.
Cubs in 7 
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