3 key players the Cubs need more from in 2026

The Cubs’ 2025 season was a solid step forward for the franchise, as they returned to the playoffs for the first time since ’20 and won their first postseason series since the ’17 NLDS.

At the same time, there are areas of concern that could undermine their ability to build on this success in 2026.

For starters, their rotation was exposed in October -- Chicago’s starting pitchers averaged less than three innings per start with a 4.43 ERA in the postseason. The club’s high-powered lineup also faded in the second half of the season, and one of its best hitters, outfielder Kyle Tucker, is a free agent.

The Cubs still have a chance to address some of their holes this offseason, but not all of their answers will come from outside the organization. As things stand, Chicago will be counting on improvement from the three in-house options below to take the next steps as a franchise.

Here's a look at one position player, one starting pitcher and one reliever the Cubs need more from in 2026:

Matt Shaw, 3B

After falling short in the Alex Bregman market last offseason, the Cubs turned third base over to Shaw, who entered 2025 as MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 prospect. He lasted all of 18 games before being sent back to the Minors, having slashed .172/.294/.241 over 68 plate appearances. And while he was much better after returning to the Majors on May 18, he was still roughly league average at the plate in that timeframe, posting a 99 wRC+.

Bregman is back on the free-agent market, but unless the Cubs sign the veteran this time around, Shaw is one of the young hitters they’ll need to pick up the slack with Tucker unlikely to return.

Shota Imanaga, SP

Imanaga’s strikeout rate, ground-ball rate and home run rate all went in the wrong direction after his superb rookie season in 2024 (2.91 ERA, 3.72 FIP), causing his ERA to balloon to 3.73 while his FIP rose to 4.86. The lefty’s four-seam-fastball struggles were especially pronounced, as he allowed an MLB-high 24 home runs and posted a -10 run value on the pitch -- 14 runs worse than '24.

With Justin Steele recovering from Tommy John surgery, Matthew Boyd a regression candidate after a career year at the age of 34 and Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea also in their mid-30s, getting Imanaga back on track will be vital for Chicago’s rotation.

Porter Hodge, RP

Hodge emerged as one of the Cubs' best relievers during his 2024 rookie season, spending time as the club’s closer and finishing the year with a 1.88 ERA and a 10.9 K/9 rate. It was a different story this past season, as the righty missed considerable time due to injuries, posted a 6.27 ERA and didn’t make an appearance during the postseason.

The Cubs signed Phil Maton to serve as their top right-handed setup man for closer Daniel Palencia, but their bullpen lacks righty options of note beyond those two, making the 24-year-old Hodge an important piece going into 2026.