The very first move of the offseason for the Cubs was removing Caleb Knight from the 40-man roster, outrighting him and making the career minor leaguer a free agent. However, Knight's time with the organization that brought him into pro ball isn't done yet as the Cubs have re-signed the catcher.
Knight, now 29-years-old, signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Jan. 4, according to the team's transactions page. Although he hasn't made it up to the majors, Knight has been a constant presence in the minor leagues with the Cubs since he was signed as an un-drafted free agent in 2018.
The catcher played in 33 games during the 2024 season, making it up to Triple-A at the end of June.
It's a long shot that Knight will get playing time in the majors with the Cubs in 2025, seeing as the organization has also signed veteran catcher Carlos Perez earlier in the offseason as additional depth at Triple-A. However, the Cubs must value Knight enough to bring him back and help mentor guys coming up through the farm system as he'll return for his eighth year in the organization.
(Previous Update)
The Chicago Cubs have to trim down their 40-man roster and following the World Series they made their first official move of the offseason, which will be one of several decisions made by the front office even before free agency really kicks in.
In case you missed it, on the final day of the regular season the Cubs added 28-year-old catcher Caleb Knight to their 40-man roster as right-handed reliever Julian Merryweather was moved to the 60-day injured list. It didn't matter much at all other than the Cubs giving the long-time minor league catcher the honor of being a major leaguer. Knight has been a part of the Cubs organization since 2018, coming up through the farm system as a depth option at the catcher position.
Knight, who reached Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs in 2024, was outrighted off the 40-man roster and he'll now have the choice to either elect free agency and explore his playing options elsewhere or remain in the organization. It's also possible that Knight calls it a career and potentially begins a coaching career.
This is the first of many 40-man roster transactions that the Cubs will have to make by Nov. 4, when all 30 MLB teams are required to return players on the 60-day injured list to the 40-man roster. At the end of the regular season the Cubs had a full 40-man roster, while also carrying eight players on the 60-day IL.
