Chicago Cubs fans have been waiting with bated breath for a headline-grabbing move this offseason, but instead, the front office has opted for a series of calculated depth signings that could quietly shape the 2026 campaign. With president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer at the helm, the Cubs have focused on bolstering their roster with experienced, if not flashy, talent—most notably bringing back former Giant Tyler Austin from his successful stint in Japan and reuniting with catcher Christian Bethancourt. While these moves may not set the rumor mill ablaze, they reflect a pragmatic approach amid swirling speculation and mounting pressure to return to World Series contention.
Tyler Austin, a name that might ring a distant bell for San Francisco Giants faithful, is officially back in Major League Baseball. The 34-year-old slugger has signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Cubs, marking his return to the big leagues after last appearing with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019. That same year, Austin played 70 games for the Giants, slashing .185/.279/.400 and notching eight home runs and 20 RBIs. He was a classic Farhan Zaidi acquisition—a player with undeniable power but inconsistent results. Ultimately, the Giants moved on, and Austin took his talents overseas to Japan.
In Japan, Austin found the consistency that eluded him stateside. His 2021 campaign was nothing short of electric: a .303/.405/.601 line, 28 home runs, and 74 RBIs. He followed that up with a .312/.378/.594 slash, 26 homers, and another 74 RBIs in 2024. Even as he aged, Austin’s power didn’t disappear; in 2025, he posted a .280/.363/.502 line with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs. Those numbers, especially for a player entering his mid-30s, are eye-catching. The Cubs’ decision to bring him in on a low-risk, one-year deal is a classic ‘why not?’ gamble—if Austin’s power translates back to MLB, Chicago could have a sleeper slugger on its hands. If not, the financial hit is minimal, and the team can pivot easily.
"Maybe they strike gold and find themselves a slugger, and if he proves to be a bust in his return to the big leagues they can move on without taking too much of a hit," noted one analyst familiar with the Cubs’ current roster strategy. At 34, Austin isn’t a long-term solution, but he’s a valuable piece of depth for a team hoping to compete in a crowded National League. Cubs fans may not want to see him as a replacement for a star like Kyle Tucker, but his signing adds flexibility—and a bit of intrigue—to the lineup. Who knows? Maybe the Giants will face their old friend when they square off against the Cubs in 2026.
The Cubs’ other notable move this week is the reunion with Christian Bethancourt, the 34-year-old catcher who spent part of the 2024 season on the North Side. Bethancourt agreed to a contract that will pay him $1.6 million if he makes the major league roster, a sensible insurance policy for a team with injury concerns behind the plate. In his 24 games with Chicago in 2024, Bethancourt slashed .281/.305/.509 with three home runs and 15 RBIs—hardly superstar numbers, but solid production for a backup catcher. He also made headlines with a seven-RBI performance in a wild 14-10 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates that August.
Since then, Bethancourt spent 2025 with the Toronto Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, appearing in 58 games. With both Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly under contract for 2026, Bethancourt’s signing is clearly about depth rather than star power. Injuries are an inevitable part of any season, and Amaya’s 28-game tally last year underscores the need for reliable options. As one local columnist put it, "The Bethancourt reunion means that Reese McGuire will almost certainly not be back on the roster in 2026." For Bethancourt, the Cubs offer a familiar environment and a chance to reestablish himself in the majors.
Despite these moves, the Cubs’ offseason has been defined as much by what they haven’t done as what they have. The front office’s measured approach has drawn some frustration from fans, especially in the wake of a trade deadline that saw the team add only Michael Soroka to the rotation—a move that quickly fizzled when Soroka hit the injured list after his debut. The Cubs reportedly passed on bigger names like Sandy Alcantara, MacKenzie Gore, and Joe Ryan, citing astronomical asking prices. Another rumored target, Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic, is now off the radar as the Cubs set their sights on higher-quality pitching options.
Bubic, who posted a 2.55 ERA over 116 1/3 innings in 20 starts during the 2025 season and a 2.58 ERA dating back to early 2024, would have been an interesting addition. But as The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney reported, Chicago is looking for more than a "pure rental" with limited swing-and-miss ability. Bubic is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, just as Jameson Taillon and Shota Imanaga will also be testing the market. This could open up rotation spots in the near future, but for now, Hoyer is aiming higher. "At least for the time being, it seems like Hoyer is aiming higher than Bubic and, barring a complete whiff on their preferred targets, he's not a likely Cubs trade target in the coming months," the report stated.
Meanwhile, rumors continue to swirl around marquee names like Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Cody Bellinger. The Cubs’ measured pace in free agency has only heightened anticipation—and anxiety—among the fan base. As one beat writer observed, "Management is under suffocating pressure to cement the ballclub as a World Series contender, and the Christian Bethancourt signing obviously does not accomplish that goal. But it could protect the Cubs against potential injury woes."
Chicago’s front office seems content, for now, to add valuable depth while waiting for the right moment to strike on a blockbuster deal. The moves for Austin and Bethancourt might not dominate the headlines, but they reflect a team building for the long haul, not just the next news cycle. As the 2026 season approaches, Cubs fans will be watching closely, hoping these under-the-radar signings pay dividends—and that the big move they crave is just around the corner.
For now, the Cubs’ roster is a work in progress, filled with potential and questions. Will Tyler Austin’s power return to MLB form? Can Christian Bethancourt provide steady backup behind the plate? And will Jed Hoyer deliver the impact acquisition fans have been waiting for? The answers will unfold as spring training nears, but one thing’s for sure—the Cubs are quietly, but steadily, laying the groundwork for a compelling season ahead.