The Chicago Cubs’ primary focus this offseason is pitching. That’s certainly no surprise as the team faces an unprecedented rebuilding task this winter/spring.
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The team’s entire end-of-season starting rotation—Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, David Peterson—could be gone via free agency. Cade Horton could likely miss all of 2027 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Justin Steele hasn’t pitched in nearly two full seasons due to his own elbow surgery and subsequent setback in recovery. Ben Brown was put on the shelf for the remainder of 2026 because of a recurring neck issue. Edward Cabrera, meanwhile, suffered through a debut season with the Cubs full of injury and underachievement.
So, staring down the likelihood of having to put together an entire starting rotation, Chicago will have to be equal parts aggressive and creative.
They’ll definitely have to spend on free agents. There’s just no way around that. They will have the money to spend as lots is coming off the books this offseason. But, realistically, not all of the team’s needs can come via free agent shopping.
Chicago will have to swing some trades and maybe some that are uncomfortable. However, they have a window of opportunity to win that may be closing quickly. They need pitching and they need it now.
An under-the-radar trade idea
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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With that said, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report has proposed an under-the-radar trade that could possibly pay huge dividends without costing major trade capital.
Miller’s proposal involves the Cubs targeting right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 28-year-old last pitched for the big league Dodgers in August of 2024. That October, he underwent major reconstructive surgery on his throwing shoulder. He missed all of 2025 in recovery and then most of the 2026 season after a setback in his rehabilitation. He began a minor league rehab assignment in August, but never saw major league action. He’s expected to be ready for full-time big league duty by the spring of 2027.
Low-risk/High-reward
Mar 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone against the Colorado Rockies during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In 2024—his first full year in the majors—he was 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA over 25 starts.
Per Miller:
“The Cubs have a ton of work to do on their starting rotation, but the silver lining is they should have plenty of room in the budget to make it happen. Their farm system isn’t great, though, so getting one year of an ace like Logan Gilbert or Drew Rasmussen would be tough to pull off. Maybe they spend big in free agency and trade for a buy-low option like Gavin Stone? He missed all of 2025 to shoulder surgery and was unable to make it back to the big leagues in 2026, but he’s a solid ‘maybe’ for a rotation spot in 2027 if traded.”
Obviously, someone like Stone shouldn’t be a Plan A, Plan B, or maybe even a Plan C for the Cubs right now. But he’s a low-risk/high-reward gamble that could pay off as a mid-rotation team-controlled twenty-something pitcher. It’s definitely something worth looking into.
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