The Chicago Cubs got pretty far last season, even with second-half offensive inconsistencies and a late-season starting rotation seemingly held together by grit, resolve, and character.
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But by the end of the NLDS, it was pretty clear that the team had gone as far as it could, given the deficiencies it had.
This offseason, the focus was fixed squarely on adding a front-of-rotation starter, rebuilding an emptied-out bullpen, and coming up with some sort of plan B for an outgoing Kyle Tucker.
So far, only the bullpen issue has been addressed with the signings of Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Hunter Harvey and the re-signing of Caleb Thielbar.
The other two areas of need are works in progress with the Cubs said to be in the hunt for free agent third baseman Alex Bregman were reportedly making a play for Japanese starting pitching import Tatsuya Imai before news broke that the NPB star would be signing with the Houston Astros.
And if the Cubs whiff on Bregman and a front-of-rotation arm?
Jul 28, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (2) runs the bases and watches his three run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
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This is a Cubs team, though, that has been reluctant to spend top dollar on talent acquisition and seems much more comfortable with bargain hunting than big-ticket signings. So, it’s quite possible that Chicago could finish the offseason with neither a Tucker alternative nor a high-end starter.
What then?
Tucker’s direct replacement in right field is already mapped out. Seiya Suzuki and rookie Owen Caissie will get the nod from day one. As of right now, the only backup to Suzuki/Caissie is Kevin Alcantara, which, really, is not much of a plan B at all.
Bringing Bregman aboard would help replace Tucker’s spot in the lineup, but it would force Matt Shaw from full-time third base duties to a utility role (if he’s not packaged in a trade for pitching). Without Bregman, Shaw stays at third and the likelihood of a big trade for a high-end starter diminishes greatly.
When it comes to pitching needs, there will be temptation to sell the rotation as “fine just the way it is.” There’s a solid core of Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Cade Horton, a returning Shota Imanaga, and about a half-season of Justin Steele, who is returning from elbow surgery, with Colin Rea and Javier Assad as the backups.
However, reality screams that the Cubs need at least one more dependable, durable starter in a rotation full of injury concern and where Taillon, Horton, Imanaga, Assad, and Steele all saw significant time on the IL last season.
Zac Gallen would be the kind of workhorse the Cubs rotation needs now that they didn’t land Imai, but, again, the Cubs are the Cubs and they may be outbid for the services of the veteran righty.
A realistic rotation plan B
Sep 17, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
It’s almost a certainty that Cubs president Jed Hoyer and the front office will pick up some sort of rotation reinforcement because the need is such a glaring one, but fans may not be all that crazy about who is targeted.
Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib tosses out the name of the 42-year-old Justin Verlander, who Hoyer, as Cubs GM at the time, had coveted back in 2017.
Per Campbell:
“Even if the Cubs don’t sign Imai, there should be an expectation that they address the need in the starting rotation. Assuming Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are also going to be priced out of the Cubs’ reach, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if Hoyer mails it in with the signing of Justin Verlander.
Not trading for Verlander in 2017 is one of Hoyer’s biggest regrets, and perhaps this is the offseason where he corrects that mistake. Verlander isn’t the pitcher he was back then, but he still posted an ERA of 3.85 in 29 starts with the San Francisco Giants last year.”
The 20-year veteran will be 43 by opening day and will most surely be had on a one-year contract for about the $15 million he got on his one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants last offseason.
The three-time Cy Young winner has his own durability issues at this stage of his career, but he WOULD give the Cubs another quality arm to add to the mix and provide a degree of insurance for a postseason run. As a $15 million one-year addition, he has to be a tempting target for the always bargain-conscious Cubs.
Where that would leave the Cubs
Jul 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer walks on the sidelines before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Cubs, with some money left to spend, could then dip into the free agent market for a fourth outfielder and/or a utility man.
To summarize, the Cubs’ backup plan to not landing Bregman or Imai/Gallen is, well, a couple of fringe additions that kind of/sort of address the team’s needs and a whole lot of hoping for the best.
That doesn’t bode all that well for their chances of making a deeper playoff run next season.
Whatever the case, everyone should know soon enough whether the Cubs’ targeted free agent plans will come through or whether it’ll be another offseason of grabbing at “best of the rest” talent.
Chicago Cubs target is off the board; Imai signs cheapo deal with Houston Astros
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