MLB · NL Central
Chicago Cubs news Wednesday, November 11, 2026
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The 30-second version
The 5-minute version
202689–73
2nd NL Central · Made playoffs
Fri, Feb 19 at Athletics
No. 1 in the 30-second version
Cubs pitcher Ben Brown had successful cervical spine surgery and is targeting an early 2027 return.
General manager Carter Hawkins said Tuesday that the surgery took place Monday in New York. Brown posted a 1.67 ERA before a neck issue ended his breakout season as a starter in June. He is expected to start a throwing progression in the new year, with the hope he is ready for game action in the first half of 2027.
Sources: ESPN · Bleed Cubbie Blue
No. 3 in the 30-second version
Mets are set to meet with free agent ace Tarik Skubal next week in California, according to ESPN.
USA TODAY Sports reports Skubal is expected to break the record for the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher, currently Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million deal with the Dodgers. Skubal had a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts for Los Angeles after the Tigers traded him at the deadline. He is widely expected to sign before the likely lockout beginning December 1.
Sources: ESPN · MLB.com · USA TODAY Sports · CBS Sports
Bleed Cubbie Blue argues the Cubs should pass on free agent Randy Arozarena.
Arozarena hit .281/.381/.484 in 2026 and led the American League with 113 runs, a career best, and he turns 32 in February. MLB Trade Rumors projects four years and $100 million, while The Athletic has him at four years and $108 million. The writer would rather have Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki at those prices and expects the Cubs to pass on Arozarena.
Source: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Around the MLB
No. 2 in the 30-second version
Venable the 6th White Sox skipper to win Manager of the Year.
Pat Murphy, the sometimes-cranky-sometimes-kindly grandfather figure at the helm of the Milwaukee Brewers, has won his third straight Manager of the Year award in his third season with the team. He is the first person ever to win three times in a row. The Brewers have been smashing preseason expectations for several years.
Sources: MLB.com · ESPN · NBC Sports · USA TODAY Sports
Tigers agree to a one-year deal with reliever Emilio Pagán, according to ESPN.
Jon Heyman reported the deal at $11.5 million, while MLB.com said $11 million, so the value is not settled. Pagán, 35, declined a $10 million player option with Cincinnati to sign in Detroit, according to an SB Nation analysis. That analysis flagged Pagán's home run rate as a concern for the Tigers.
Sources: ESPN · MLB.com · Bless You Boys
Sal Stewart wins NL Rookie of the Year and Kevin McGonigle wins AL Rookie of the Year.
Stewart, a Reds first baseman, took 20 of 30 first-place votes after hitting 32 homers with 112 RBIs, with Carson Benge of the Mets second and J.J. Wetherholt of the Cardinals third, according to Red Reporter and Brew Crew Ball. McGonigle, a Tigers infielder, received 28 of 30 first-place votes and became Detroit's first winner since Michael Fulmer in 2016, after hitting 18 homers with 72 RBIs, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. Bless You Boys reports the award earns the Tigers an extra pick in the 2027 draft.
Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia · Brew Crew Ball · Red Reporter · Amazin' Avenue
Dodgers hire Pedro Guerrero as hitting coach, filling the vacancy left by Aaron Bates.
Guerrero, 37, spent the last two seasons as the Marlins' hitting coach after the Marlins decided not to retain him, according to the NY Post and LA Times. He will work as co-hitting coach alongside longtime hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc. Bates and the Dodgers reached an impasse in contract negotiations and parted ways last week.
Sources: LA Times · NY Post Sports · True Blue LA
Padres sign right-hander Ryan Weiss to a one-year deal with a team option for 2028.
According to ESPN, citing sources, the contract is worth $1.85 million.
How this is made: Summaries are written with AI from the linked reporting. For the full account, read the sources.