Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings are taking place this week at the Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida.
Here are some of the events going on this week and what to look for from a Cubs point of view.
First, there was a report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today early Saturday that the Cubs had signed right-hander Zac Gallen. This turned out not to be true. However, Gallen would be a good signing, in my view, despite the fact that he had something of a down year in 2025.
The Cubs, obviously, would be betting on him recovering his 2022-23 form, when he had two top 5 Cy Young finishes. As always, we await developments.
Here are the MLB events happening this week.
Today, the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee of the Hall of Fame will meet. Here are details of who’s on the ballot and who the voters are. The results of their vote will be announced live on MLB Network at 6:30 p.m. CT. Anyone elected by this Committee will be inducted in Cooperstown Sunday, July 26.
On Tuesday, the winner of the Hall of Fame’s 2025 BBWAA Career Excellence Award (for writers) will be announced. The honoree will accept the award and also give a speech in Cooperstown during Hall of Fame induction weekend in July.
Also on Tuesday, the MLB Draft lottery will take place. The 18 teams that did not make the postseason all have a shot at the No. 1 pick, though the worst teams have the highest odds. As a postseason team in 2025, the Cubs aren’t part of the lottery and will pick 24th. The lottery will be held at 3 p.m. CT and the results will be televised on MLB Network at 4:30 p.m. CT.
On Wednesday, the winner of the Hall of Fame’s 2025 Frick Award (for broadcasters) will be announced. The honoree will accept the award and also give a speech in Cooperstown during Hall of Fame induction weekend in July.
Lastly, the Rule 5 Draft is the final event of the Winter Meetings. It will begin Wednesday at 1 p.m. CT. Players taken in the Rule 5 Draft must remain on their new team’s major league roster all season or be offered back to their original team, although sometimes trades are arranged so teams can keep the player in their minor-league system. The Rule 5 Draft is usually streamed live on MLB.com.
Of course, there are likely to be trades and free-agent signings this week. Many players and agents are in Orlando to meet with team executives. Each day Monday through Wednesday, I’ll post an open thread for Winter Meetings discussion. If the Cubs make a trade or sign a free agent, there will be separate posts on any such transactions.
As always, we await developments.
