Chicago Cubs: 3 available starters to fortify the starting rotation

3 free agent starters to patch up the Cubs rotation – #2: Michael Pineda

Next up, we have Michael Pineda, who checks in with a 3.98 ERA to go with a 62-54 lifetime record. Pineda is entering his age-33 season as a free agent still looking for a home and it so happens the Cubs are a team that should definitely be picking up the phone.

Thanks to an expanded postseason, the Cubs don’t have to blow the doors off this offseason to have a chance to sneak in come October.  I think Chicago could have a lineup people are going to sleep on. Several high contact bats as well as a good mix of power and above average defense at multiple positions. That is an article in itself for another day though. The point I’m making is, they really only need a couple somewhat cheaper contracts (relative to the monster deals you see star players signing today) to actually have a shot at a wild card this year – especially with the Reds tearing it down and the Pirates continuing to rebuild.

The Cubs just need starters that can win 10+ games out of the back end of the rotation which is something Pineda has done twice in his career. Adding in a veteran arm as well helps make a difference. At some point, Alzolay will, hopefully, return to the mix – giving David Ross a depth in the rotation he hasn’t enjoyed of late.