The Chicago Cubs have signed left-hander Justin Steele to a one-year, $6.775 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration. This agreement follows the team's acquisition of right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins to strengthen their starting rotation. Negotiations with Javier Assad remain unresolved as of the deadline.
On Thursday, the Chicago Cubs finalized a one-year deal with starting pitcher Justin Steele for $6.775 million, slightly raising his 2025 salary of $6.55 million and sidestepping arbitration hearings. Steele, who turned 30 in December, was limited to four starts last season after undergoing left elbow surgery in April but has resumed throwing this offseason. He expects to return to the rotation in the first half of 2026, barring setbacks. Over his career, Steele holds a 3.30 ERA across 102 appearances, including a strong 3.07 ERA from 2023-24 that ranked eighth in MLB among pitchers with at least 200 innings.
The Cubs have a history of resolving arbitration amicably, with only eight hearings since 1993, the most recent in 2021 with Ian Happ. This approach continues as the team addresses its pitching needs. Just a day earlier, on Wednesday, Chicago traded prospects Owen Caissie (ranked No. 47 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100), Cristian Hernandez, and Edgardo De Leon to the Marlins for Cabrera, who brings three years of contractual control through 2028 at an affordable rate compared to free agency.
Cabrera, turning 28 in April, posted a breakout 3.53 ERA in 26 starts last season, with 150 strikeouts and a 125 ERA+ over 137 2/3 innings. However, he carries injury risks, including elbow issues that sidelined him in 2025. The addition bolsters a projected rotation featuring veterans Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga (who accepted a $22.025 million qualifying offer), 2025 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up Cade Horton, and Cabrera. Depth includes Assad, Ben Brown, Colin Rea, and Jordan Wicks.
Assad, 28, is a first-time arbitration-eligible player with a 3.43 ERA over 78 appearances (54 starts) in four seasons, though limited to eight games last year due to oblique issues. His negotiation status remains unclear post-deadline, but clubs can continue talks through potential hearings.
The trade raises questions for the Cubs' outfield, with Caissie's departure opening spots for Seiya Suzuki in right field alongside Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Chicago may pursue free agents like Cody Bellinger or Bo Bichette to add offense, mindful of the $244 million competitive balance tax threshold.
