Chicago Cubs nontender catcher Reese McGuire and reliever Eli Morgan, making them free agents

The Chicago Cubs did not face many tough decisions when determining whether to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players.

Only the White Sox had fewer players who met those qualifications than the Cubs’ four: left-hander Justin Steele, right-hander Javier Assad, reliever Eli Morgan and catcher Reese McGuire. To keep them under contract for 2026, the Cubs needed to tender each of them a contract by Friday’s 4 p.m. deadline. The Cubs opted to nontender McGuire and Morgan.

The return of Steele and Assad was an obvious decision by the organization. MLB Trade Rumors projects Steele will get $6.55 million in arbitration while Assad is projected to receive $1.9 million for 2026.

Steele, coming off left elbow surgery, is expected to return early in the season, though the Cubs will be cautious with his buildup process. Steele, 30, made four starts in 2025 before undergoing season-ending surgery. Steele started throwing on flat ground a few weeks ago.

Assad, 28, has proved valuable with his ability to pitch in relief and start. A reoccurring oblique injury limited him to eight games (seven starts) in which he posted a 3.65 ERA in 37 innings.

McGuire, a nonroster invitee to spring training, thrived when an opportunity with the big-league club opened in May when catcher Miguel Amaya went down with a multiweek oblique injury. McGuire, 30, produced a career-high nine home runs and 24 RBIs with a 94 OPS+ in 44 games and was lauded for his defense behind the plate.

Morgan had been acquired last offseason from the Cleveland Guardians as a controllable piece for the bullpen but struggled in seven appearances, allowing 10 runs and 12 hits in 7 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old right-hander landed on the injured list with a right elbow impingement in mid-April and did not pitch again for the Cubs.