Chicago Cubs: 3 available starters to fortify the starting rotation

On the heels of the Seiya Suzuki signing this week, one way the Cubs can still drastically improve (assuming they don’t land Carlos Correa, which should be the top priority if they are still considering) is bolstering the starting rotation. There’s an old saying: “Their pitching will take them as far as they’ll go.” Given the shortened ramp-up period coming out of the lockout, that may prove truer than ever in 2022.

Jed Hoyer had previously said he was done focusing on starting pitching, but given the Adbert Alzolay injury and the concerns over the back of the rotation, having some insurance policies might not be the worst idea in the world.

Let’s take a look at 3 of the top starting pitchers still available that can help pack a punch in the back end of the rotation.

3 free agent starters to patch up the Cubs rotation – #3: Chris Archer

Chris Archer still being available, in my opinion, is something the Cubs need to take a look at.  Archer made just $6.5M last season and comes with high upside for cheap, which, as we all know, has been a signature of this front office the last five or so years.

Last season, Archer only pitched 19.1 innings at the big league level and struggled to the tune of a 4.66 ERA. However, most of that can be attributed to injuries he suffered and ultimately reduced his season to rubble. The right-hander had two separate stints on the 60-day IL, one for right lateral forearm tightness and another for hip discomfort. Here’s the thing. Archer is the kind of guy that can probably be had on a one-year deal with a club option for a second and his AAV would be rather low.

Overall, Archer owns a 3.87 ERA and has crossed the 200 innings pitched mark three times throughout his career. Now age 33, Archer doesn’t have to be elite for the Cubs. Should he stay healthy this time around and get back to posting his career average numbers, he is actually a very  four or five in 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.