Story perspectives

Cubs Target Trades for Left-Handed Batter Before Spring

1/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Chicago Cubs are exploring trades to improve their roster before spring training.
They seek a reliable left-handed batter with positional flexibility, but the market is tight.
The Cubs are evaluating Luis García and Hyeseong Kim as potential targets.
They may trade Matt Shaw for a starter who can start in the minors.
The Cubs have bullpen depth while seeking a standout reliever in a limited free-agent market.

History

Historical Context

The Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year World Series championship drought in 2016, defeating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling seven-game series. This victory marked the culmination of a rebuilding effort initiated in 2011 under President Theo Epstein, who emphasized analytics and player development. Since then, the Cubs have faced challenges, including roster changes and playoff misses, as they strive to maintain competitiveness in Major League Baseball.

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Story summary

The Chicago Cubs are exploring trades to improve their roster before spring training.
They seek a reliable left-handed batter with positional flexibility, but the market is tight.
The Cubs are evaluating Luis García and Hyeseong Kim as potential targets.
They may trade Matt Shaw for a starter who can start in the minors.
The Cubs have bullpen depth while seeking a standout reliever in a limited free-agent market.

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