The Chicago Cubs could be aiming to acquire another top-tier pitcher for their rotation this offseason. With solid depth and a strong farm system, the team has multiple avenues to enhance the roster and boost their chances of making a postseason run in 2025.
Cubs May Be Looking to Add “Ace” in Offseason
A Good Starting Four in the Rotation
The Cubs’ rotation this year included four main starters, led by Shota Imanaga, who posted an impressive 15-3 record with a 2.91 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts over 173 1/3 innings. Imanaga, along with Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Javier Assad, combined for 39 wins and 22 losses across 100 starts.
The remaining starts were handled by Kyle Hendricks (24 starts) and a group of young pitchers like Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, and Ben Brown. However, that group struggled in 2024, going 10-21 due to injuries and inconsistent performance.
Shōta Imanaga, 91mph Fastball and 83mph Splitter, Overlay. pic.twitter.com/hgAV4xYYNm
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 22, 2024
Arrivals and Departures
Kyle Hendricks’ time with the team appears to be nearing its end, while Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, and Ben Brown will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation. Additionally, a wave of top prospects—Matt Shaw (ranked 22nd), Owen Caissie (33rd), Moises Ballesteros (41st), Kevin Alcantara (69th), and Cam Smith (99th)—will be pushing for roster spots.
This mix of departures and emerging talent gives the Cubs’ front office several options for shaping the team’s future. However, based on the club’s history, certain choices seem more probable than others.
HE DID IT AGAIN!
Cam Smith hits a home run in his SIXTH CONSECUTIVE GAME!#MBPelicans | #YouHaveToSeeIt pic.twitter.com/PnUhrXEsLr
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) August 25, 2024
Tapping An Elite Free Agent Class
Cubs’ $40 million manager Craig Counsell has recently issued a challenge to the entire organization. He is expected to meet with President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer this offseason, with discussions potentially focusing on acquiring a top-tier starter. This could involve exploring a promising free-agent market.
Notable options include Braves lefty Max Fried (71 wins and 3 Gold Gloves since 2019), Orioles ace Corbin Burnes (15-9), Giants lefty Blake Snell (2-0 with a 1.03 ERA and a no-hitter since July 9), Padres lefty Tanner Scott (9-6 with a 1.75 ERA), and Dodgers righty Jack Flaherty (13-7).
However, Cubs ownership has historically been reluctant to spend heavily on high-caliber pitchers, often preferring to develop talent internally.
"We have to set ourselves up to be (a playoff team) … and I don't think we're quite there."
Craig Counsell on the state of the Cubs. pic.twitter.com/5wolaIAXru
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) September 20, 2024
From Japan, With Love
Another potential option for the Cubs could be targeting the Japanese pro league for a quality pitcher. Roki Sasaki, 23, stands out as a strong candidate, offering top-tier talent at a relatively affordable price due to MLB’s international player contract rules.
Under these rules, contracts for players under 25 with less than six years of experience in foreign major leagues are capped. Sasaki, who has posted an impressive 1.95 ERA over four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines, could be a realistic and cost-effective option for the Cubs.
Roki Sasaki’s fastball
— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) September 1, 2024
Bringing Up Young Arms
Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski each displayed progress this season, but injuries and inconsistency prevented them from securing a spot in the Cubs’ rotation. Veteran Kyle Hendricks ended up making most of the starts in the fifth spot. If Wicks, 25, can regain his form next season, he would provide the Cubs’ rotation with another left-handed option.
Barring another setback from injury, the Cubs’ number two prospect Cade Horton will challenge for the spot in the spring of 2025. Other likely pitching candidates include Jack Neely (#18), and Michael Arias (#19).
Cade Horton strikes out 6 in five innings! pic.twitter.com/cZ168bZ0iG
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 22, 2024
A Talent for Talent Trade
The Cubs’ farm system is rich in talent at both infield and outfield positions, but many of those spots on the major league roster are already secured by players with solid contracts or strong performances. This creates a challenge for prospects like outfielders Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara, and infielder Matt Shaw, as they may struggle to find playing time.
Cubs management understands they can’t hold onto prospects indefinitely, making a trade likely. This could open the door to acquiring a quality starting pitcher. While top prospects alone may not be enough to secure elite arms like Corbin Burnes or Jack Flaherty, they could be enough to bring in veterans like Blake Snell or Max Fried. Whether it’s landing an ace or making other key moves, the Cubs are in a prime position to make the deals necessary to elevate their competitiveness next season.
