The Cubs’ two-year, $29MM cope with Matthew Boyd turned official earlier at this time, locking within the veteran southpaw as the most recent member of the Wrigleyville rotation. Even with this signing now on the books, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report that the Cubs stay open to including extra beginning pitching, and Walker Buehler continues to be “on their radar.”
Boyd traces up as Chicago’s fourth starter, behind Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, and Jameson Taillon. Javier Assad is the favourite for the fifth starter position, with the likes of Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, and Ben Brown additionally within the combine for begin, plus high prospect Cade Horton additionally on the verge of his MLB debut. Whereas this looks as if loads of depth already, the “you possibly can by no means have sufficient pitching” mantra could apply, as Wicks, Brown, and Horton all missed plenty of time in 2024 on account of accidents.
Buying yet one more skilled starter by way of commerce or free company would enable the Cubs to make Assad its high depth arm, and it may be argued that Assad is overqualified for such a task given his stable 3.40 ERA over his 294 profession Main League innings. Since accidents are mainly inevitable, nonetheless, it stands to purpose that Assad would nonetheless get some extent of rotation work. Past Assad, one of many different pitchers may doubtlessly turn out to be a commerce chip if the Cubs really feel safe within the variety of starters available.
The Cubs haven’t precisely been pinching pennies on the rotation throughout Jed Hoyer’s time as president of baseball operations, contemplating Taillon’s four-year, $68MM deal and Imanaga’s four-year, $53MM deal. Nonetheless, Chicago has trended away from purchasing on the very high of the pitching market to as an alternative pursue extra mid-range or shorter-term contracts like Taillon, Imanaga, Boyd, or (prior to now) Marcus Stroman or Drew Smyly.
Buehler would additionally doubtless fall into this class, as it’s extensively assumed that the righty will signal a one-year pact as one thing of a pillow contract within the wake of a disappointing 2024 season. Whereas that disappointment was actually tempered by a few nice postseason outings and a championship ring with the Dodgers, Buehler’s common season noticed him put up a 5.38 ERA with a number of below-average secondary metrics over 75 1/3 innings.
Since Buehler didn’t pitch in any respect in 2023 whereas recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, it appears doable that he may carry out higher in 2025 now that he has shaken off the rust. The baseball world hasn’t forgotten how dynamic Buehler appeared previous to that TJ process, and this type of upside potential has led to curiosity from not simply the Cubs, but in addition suc publicly recognized suitors because the Braves, Yankees, Mets, and Athletics.
As Mooney and Sharma be aware, it shouldn’t be thought of a lock that Buehler will obtain only a one-year contract, given how a number of pitchers have already exceeded expectations within the first month of free company. As such, Mooney/Sharma really feel the Cubs may want to keep away from the free agent market and as an alternative pivot to including a starter (or a reliever, or lineup assist) in a commerce. Information on that entrance won’t develop till Juan Soto indicators, which might then maybe clear the Cubs’ path when it comes to discovering a possible commerce accomplice for considered one of Cody Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki.
