The Cubs have traditionally taken a file-and-trial approach to arbitration, even though teams and players are free to reach an agreement before the date of their scheduled hearing. The Cubs did, however, make an exception with catcher Willson Contreras after the lockout in 2022, when arbitration hearings were held in-season.

The Chicago Cubs pulled the trigger on the trade this past December that brought Houston Astros star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the team. It was a pricey deal that cost the Cubs a legit every day third baseman in Isaac Paredes,