The Cubs’ two-year, $29MM cope with Matthew Boyd turned official earlier right this moment, locking within the veteran southpaw as the latest 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 remains 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 function, 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 like loads of depth already, the “you possibly can by no means have sufficient pitching” mantra could apply, as Wicks, Brown, and Horton all missed a whole lot of time in 2024 as a result of accidents.
Buying one more skilled starter by way of commerce or free company would permit the Cubs to make Assad its high depth arm, and it may be argued that Assad is overqualified for such a job given his strong 3.40 ERA over his 294 profession Main League innings. Since accidents are mainly inevitable, nevertheless, it stands to motive that Assad would nonetheless get some extent of rotation work. Past Assad, one of many different pitchers may probably turn into 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. Nevertheless, Chicago has trended away from procuring 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 (up to now) Marcus Stroman or Drew Smyly.
Buehler would additionally possible 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 publish 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 potential 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 identified suitors because the Braves, Yankees, Mets, and Athletics.
As Mooney and Sharma notice, 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 desire 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 by way of discovering a possible commerce associate for considered one of Cody Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki.
