Chicago Cubs: Five dark horse candidates for the starting rotation

While there doesn’t seem to be a ton of room for surprises, here are some unlikely options for the Cubs 2021 rotation.

Last week, I did my best to try and put together the most likely and realistic rotation for the 2021 Chicago Cubs. Taking into account the players on the roster, a supposed and now seemingly ubiquitous lack of funds, and the uncertainty of a 2021 season with or without fans right before a looming bargaining roadblock, it was pretty conservative. And while the Cubs last few offseasons have been the definition of conservative and thrifty, there’s nothing saying things can’t change.

In that vein, I’ve put together a list of guys who could possibly find their way in the Cubs rotation next spring if some stars align (and probably if some are shipped out for the ones requiring money). Mind you, none of these guys are likely to be in Chicago come next April, but this isn’t the conservative list.

In this list, here are three established big league guys to go along with two Cubs farmhands. One is a former Cubs hero, one who indirectly had a hand in helping Chicago win the World Series in 2016, another who was on free agency rumor mill radar a few years ago and two up-and-coming southpaws who probably won’t be ready just yet. As noted, none are likely to be with the Cubs big league club in April, but 2020 has already been strange enough – why not add a little more with this Cubs offseason?