2025 Chicago Cubs' projected starting rotation following Matthew Boyd signing

One of the popular misconceptions that were had after the reporting of the Chicago Cubs signing of Matthew Boyd was the idea that Boyd was signed to be the replacement for Drew Smyly on the team's pitching staff.

Smyly, who had his mutual option for the 2025 season declined by the Cubs at the start of the offseason, served primarily as a swingman for the team over the course of the past two seasons.

Naturally, fans saw Boyd as another left-handed pitcher in his 30s who has swingman written all over his profile. The issue with that is Boyd has never been a swingman in his career. Boyd had a total of 4 bullpen appearances during the first three seasons of his career but has pitched exclusively out of a starting rotation since 2018. The notion that the Cubs would sign Boyd to the contract they did while splitting his time between the starting rotation and bullpen doesn't add up.

Along those lines, in the aftermath of the Boyd signing, let's look at the current projected rotation for the Cubs next season.

1. Justin Steele

While a hamstring injury forced Justin Steele to miss the opening month of the 2024 season, Steele erased any doubt over his being a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. In 24 starts last season, Steele posted a 3.07 ERA with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of just under 18%.

2. Shota Imanaga

Shota Imanaga was everything the Cubs could have asked during his first season in Major League Baseball. Earning Cy Young votes for his effort, Imanaga posted a 2.91 ERA in 29 starts last season.

3. Jameson Taillon

If nothing else, Jameson Taillon was dependable during the 2024 season. The 33-year-old veteran posted a 3.27 ERA in 28 starts. Entering the third year of his four-year contract, Taillon is firmly entrenched as the team's No. 3 starting pitcher.

4. Matthew Boyd

As of now, Boyd likely will begin the season as the Cubs' No. 4 starting pitcher. If nothing else, it splits up the lefties in the rotation with the No. 5 starter in place between Boyd and Steele.

5. Javier Assad

There likely will be a competition for the final spot in the Cubs' rotation next season. Unless, of course, there is a move in the works for the Cubs to trade for a high-end starting pitcher. For now, Assad gets the nod based on his 2024 success.