The Chicago Cubs missed out on Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who decided to sign a relatively cheap three-year, $63 million contract with the Houston Astros, a deal that contains opt outs after each of the first two years.
The fact that the Cubs couldn’t surpass that offer is beyond concerning, because it doesn’t exactly bode well for the remainder of their offseason.
Clearly, Chicago is still hesitant to spend money. The Cubs have not done anything of significance this offseason, and while it’s easy to blame president Jed Hoyer, the finger should truly be pointed at owner Tom Ricketts, who isn’t giving Hoyer the budget he needs to build a World Series contender.
The problem is that Chicago is teetering on the brink of disaster if it doesn’t add another starting pitcher this offseason.
The Chicago Cubs’ starting pitching depth is scary
Oct 2, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) throws during the first inning against the San Diego Padres during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
The Cubs have a lot of good pitchers in their starting rotation. When healthy, Justin Steele is a stud. Shota Imanaga was brilliant in 2024. Matthew Boyd was a pleasant surprise this past season, Cade Horton had a terrific rookie showing and Jameson Taillon — like Steele, when healthy — was reliable.
But as Brett Taylor of Bleacher Nation points out, Chicago is facing a potential mass exodus of starting pitchers after 2026, and there are no easy solutions in sight.
“Consider, too, the contract situations of the guys currently in the big league rotation,” Taylor wrote. “Justin Steele has two years of arbitration left. Shota Imanaga is a free agent after this season. Jameson Taillon is a free agent after this season. Matthew Boyd is a free agent after this season. Now combine those two things: virtually no obvious near-term front-half starting pitcher types percolating up over the next year (outside of, hopefully, Jaxon Wiggins), and virtually all of the big league rotation set for free agency over the next year or two.”
Outside of Wiggins and maybe Brandon Birdsell, the Cubs’ farm system is largely bereft of pitching talent. So if Chicago is unable to land any other arms this winter, it is setting itself up for catastrophe if there are injuries to the starting rotation in 2026. And what about the years beyond that?
The Chicago Cubs must answer after losing out on Tatsuya Imai
Jul 24, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (27) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Losing out on Imai wouldn’t be such a huge deal if there were actually other enticing options on the free-agent market, but the fact is there really are none.
Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are names, sure, but Valdez is 32 years old and had a 3.66 ERA last season. Suarez, meanwhile, has a checkered injury history and is really more of a good No. 2 (or very high-end No. 3) than an ace. The issue is he might get paid like one.
So then what?
Well, the Cubs can explore the trade market, where pitchers like Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, MacKenzie Gore and even Pablo Lopez or Joe Ryan (unlikely, but possible) could be available. Yes, there is plenty of risk with most of those guys, too, but at least Cabrera, Gore and Ryan are cheap in terms of money. They would cost a ton of prospects in a trade, though.
Maybe Chicago could sign Zac Gallen, who should come cheaper than Valdez and Suarez and seems like a good candidate for a bounce back in the spring. But again, cost could become a sticking point there for the Cubbies.
I’m sure the Cubs realize the danger in which they currently find themselves, but they need to hedge their bets by actually finding a solution.
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