The Chicago Cubs started out the offseason facing the possibility that they might need to bring aboard as many as seven or eight major league roster-ready pitchers before spring training. That’s an especially tall order for a team that is planning on a return to the playoffs and on topping their 2025 performance there.
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Of last season’s bullpen mainstays, only Daniel Palencia is guaranteed to be returning. In the starting rotation, there was uncertainty regarding Shota Imanaga’s future as the Cubs and the Japanese star’s representatives danced around with contract-related issues.
Two pieces of the team’s pitching puzzle, however, have fallen into place well before the winter free agent frenzy. Imanaga will be back for at least one more season after accepting the Cubs’ $22 million qualifying offer for 2026. Veteran reliever Phil Maton was also signed to a two-year deal.
Pieces added to the puzzle
Sep 19, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
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Imanaga will return to the rotation to join Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, and Jameson Taillon ahead of opening day. Colin Rea and Javier Assad will then be pushed to the bullpen where they can do long relief and jump into the rotation if/when they’re needed. Justin Steele, still recovering from elbow surgery last April, should make his return around mid-season.
Palencia and Maton, meanwhile, will make up the back-end of the bullpen as closer and set up man, at least for now.
There’s obviously more work to be done for a Cubs team looking to fortify its pitching. And, according to several MLB insiders, the team is actually willing to throw some money around this offseason to do that. Still targeted are a front-of-rotation starter and several bullpen pieces.
Chicago Cubs will be aggressive in pursuit of pitching, per insiders
MLB: San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs Apr 4, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Jed Hoyer President of the Chicago Cubs prepares to throw balls to fans before a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
On Sunday, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic talked about what they’ve been hearing regarding the Cubs and the targeting of pitchers this winter:
“The Cubs will continue to pursue a starting pitcher who can compete at the top of their rotation. It will be determined whether that addition comes through trading for a pitcher such as Edward Cabrera or signing a free agent who rejected a qualifying offer, a group that includes Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, Ranger Suárez and Zac Gallen. But adding an impactful starting pitcher remains the goal…
If the Cubs didn’t trust Imanaga enough to use him in their final game in October, then they certainly can’t stop looking for more pitching and better options to upgrade a playoff team.”
Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation, meanwhile, offers some optimism in mentioning, per his source, that the Cubs might actually be serious about opening up their pocketbook:
“I’m here to tell you today that they aren’t done yet. According to a source, the Cubs remain engaged in the impact free-agent relief market even after signing Phil Maton last night. Nothing is thought to be close, but Maton won’t likely be their only established relief signing this offseason. In fact, it sounds like they’re aiming even higher than Maton for their next target.”
A welcomed deviation
Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts (R) smiles next to Chicago Cubs President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer (L) before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
If accurate, all of this represents a departure from standard operating procedure with the Cubs, especially when it comes to pitching. Ownership and the front office have shied away from spending big money on quality arms that demand multi-year deals, although they did make a substantial effort in trying to sign closer Tanner Scott last winter.
Chicago could’ve easily fallen back into familiar habits this offseason. They could’ve justified standing pat in the rotation with Imanaga coming back and Steele due to return. They could’ve also assumed their usual approach to bullpen building, shopping for a mass of bargains and reclamation projects to provide a pool of talent from which to draw all season.
A reported willingness to be spenders is a welcomed deviation from business as usual. It shouldn’t be assumed, however, that the Cubs will completely buck their conservative nature and go all-in on a top-of-the-market starter and closer.
However, with $40-$50 million to spend and the understanding that they’ll have to spend to make a deep playoff run next season before all of the uncertainty facing them in 2027 (with so many player contracts expiring and a labor dispute brewing), some bigger-than-usual moves should be in order.
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