Breaking: MLB Hits Chicago Cubs with Penalty for Rule Violation — Team to Pay Financial Penalty
Chicago, IL — May 21, 2025
Major League Baseball has announced that the Chicago Cubs have been fined $350,000 for a violation of league rules related to international player signing practices, according to a statement released by the league office this morning.
The penalty follows a months-long investigation into the Cubs’ conduct during the most recent international signing period. According to MLB officials, the Cubs were found to have engaged in improper negotiations and made impermissible offers to several international prospects prior to the official signing window, violating both the letter and spirit of MLB’s international rules.
The league’s statement reads, in part:
“The Chicago Cubs engaged in discussions with international players and their representatives outside of the permitted timeframe, giving them an unfair advantage in the market. Such actions compromise the integrity of the signing process and will not be tolerated.”
The Cubs, in response, issued a brief acknowledgment of the fine:
“We accept the league’s findings and will take immediate steps to ensure full compliance with all international signing policies. While unintentional, we understand the importance of maintaining a level playing field.”
This marks a significant moment for the Cubs, a team that has heavily invested in international talent over the past decade, and the penalty could potentially impact their future flexibility in acquiring young international players.
In addition to the financial penalty, MLB sources indicate that the Cubs may also face limitations in their bonus pool funds for the next signing period, though those details have not yet been finalized.
This move comes amid a broader crackdown by the league on early recruitment tactics and backdoor deals that have become increasingly common — and increasingly scrutinized — in recent years.
More details will follow as the story develops.
