The Chicago Cubs made quick work of their arbitration business on Thursday, reaching agreements with all three eligible pitchers just days after acquiring one of them in a trade. The organization avoided arbitration hearings with left-hander Justin Steele ($6.775 million), right-hander Edward Cabrera ($4.45 million), and right-hander Javier Assad ($1.8 million), according to multiple reports.
Thursday marked the deadline for teams to exchange salary figures with arbitration-eligible players, but the Cubs ensured none of these cases would reach a hearing. The three deals combine for $13.025 million in commitments for the 2026 season, solidifying key pieces of Chicago's rotation puzzle as spring training approaches.
Steele's Path Back to the Mound
Justin Steele's $6.775 million salary represents the highest of the three agreements and comes as the left-hander continues his recovery from season-ending elbow surgery. Steele made just four starts in 2025, posting a 4.76 ERA before going under the knife.
The 30-year-old is expected to return early in the 2026 season, giving the Cubs a critical boost to their rotation. When healthy, Steele has been one of Chicago's most dependable starters, and his return will be closely monitored as the team builds toward contention.
The salary also reflects Steele's value to the organization—he's a proven performer who has shown ace-level potential when right. Getting a deal done without the adversarial nature of an arbitration hearing maintains a positive relationship as he works his way back.
Cabrera's Quick Settlement After Trade
Edward Cabrera's $4.45 million deal came together remarkably fast considering he only joined the organization two days earlier. The Cubs acquired the 27-year-old right-hander from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in what represents Chicago's biggest move of the offseason.
Cabrera is coming off a career year with Miami, making 26 starts and logging 137⅔ innings despite spending much of September on the injured list with an elbow issue. His 3.35 ERA was his best mark since 2022, and he significantly improved his command, cutting his walk rate from 12% in 2024 to 8.3% in 2025.
This marked Cabrera's first time going through the arbitration process, and his 2026 salary represents a substantial raise from his previous $1.95 million. The Cubs sent outfielder Owen Caissie (their top prospect), middle infield prospect Cristian Hernandez, and minor-league infielder Edgardo De Leon to Miami to complete the trade.
What makes Cabrera particularly intriguing for Chicago is his unique arsenal. His 94-mph changeup serves as his primary pitch—an unusual approach that could make him stand out in the Cubs' rotation. According to Statcast data from 2025, Cabrera's fastball velocity (96.9 mph) ranked in the 89th percentile, making him the hardest-throwing starter in Chicago's rotation. In fact, Cabrera's changeup sits at a higher velocity than most Cubs starters' fastballs.
Assad Provides Valuable Depth
Javier Assad's $1.8 million agreement secures another versatile arm for manager Craig Counsell. The 27-year-old has proven capable of contributing both as a starter and reliever throughout his four-year major league career.
Like Cabrera, Assad dealt with injury issues in 2025, straining his left oblique twice and not making his season debut until August. In eight games after returning, he posted a 3.65 ERA, showing he could still be effective despite the limited action.
Throughout his Cubs career, Assad has logged 272 innings as a starter with a 3.51 ERA and 1.346 WHIP. Out of the bullpen, he's been even better in a smaller 59-inning sample, owning a 3.05 ERA and 1.254 WHIP. That flexibility makes him a valuable asset—he can fill whatever role the team needs at any given time.
With two minor league options remaining, Assad appears likely to open 2026 at Triple-A Iowa as rotation depth. But given the Cubs' history of pitching injuries and the long grind of a season, he'll almost certainly see significant time at the major league level at some point during the year.
Rotation Depth Taking Shape
With these three deals finalized, the Cubs now have remarkable starting pitching depth heading into spring training. The organization can count on Justin Steele (when healthy), Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon at the top of the rotation, with Cabrera, Assad, Matthew Boyd, and Colin Rea providing experienced options behind them.
Young arms like Cade Horton, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, and Jaxon Wiggins add even more intrigue to the mix. It's the kind of depth that allows a team to weather the inevitable injuries that strike every rotation over a 162-game season.
The Cubs' willingness to lock in deals quickly—especially with Cabrera just days after acquiring him—speaks to the organization's desire to maintain positive relationships with its players. Arbitration hearings can be contentious, with teams forced to argue why a player is worth less than they believe. Avoiding those hearings when possible keeps the focus on baseball rather than contract disputes.
What's Next?
With arbitration business settled, the Cubs can turn their full attention to other roster needs as Cubs Convention approaches next week. The bullpen has been rebuilt with nearly $30 million in commitments, and the rotation now has depth and upside with Cabrera's addition.
The remaining question is whether Chicago will address the offensive side of the roster. Kyle Tucker's production from 2025 still needs to be replaced in the middle of the lineup. The Cubs have been connected to several position players this offseason, including a potential reunion with Cody Bellinger, though those talks have reportedly heated up between Bellinger and the Yankees. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has also emerged as a possibility, while Alex Bregman remains the marquee name available. However, the path to adding any of these impact bats becomes more complicated with each dollar committed elsewhere.
But for now, the Cubs have secured three important pieces of their pitching staff for 2026. Steele, Cabrera, and Assad combine to represent significant value at a combined $13 million—controllable arms with upside who can help Chicago compete in what figures to be another competitive National League Central race.
Spring training is just weeks away, and the Cubs have their pitching staff largely set. Now it's time to see if Jed Hoyer has any more moves up his sleeve before players report to Mesa.