3 Cubs pitchers who could be out of a job following Matthew Boyd signing

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their starting rotation with the signing of veteran left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd to a two-year deal.

With Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly becoming free agents, the initial outlook of the Cubs' starting rotation for the 2025 season included Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad, and Jordan Wicks.

Nevertheless, it was clear that the Cubs were going to make adding an established starting pitcher their priority this offseason. Given his health concerns, Boyd doesn't quite check that box but if healthy, making $14.5MM in each season he will be with the Cubs, the veteran likely will be penciled into a rotation spot next season.

Boyd's arrival may also hint at a larger deal in the works for the Cubs at the Winter Meetings approach. With that in mind, there are three specific pitchers who could quickly find themselves out of a roster spot in the coming weeks.

1. Hayden Wesneski

When the Cubs acquired Wesneski in a 2022 MLB Trade Deadline deal with the New York Yankees, the case could be made that he instantly became the team's top pitching prospect. It was the same season when the Cubs selected Cade Horton with their first-round pick while Caleb Kilian was still being factored into the team's long-term rotation plans. Horton's injury during the 2024 season seems to have dimmed the shine slightly on his prospect profile, while Kilian's injury history and ineffectiveness have relegated him to have the ceiling of a swingman at the Major League level. Wesneski's outlook isn't much brighter.

Wesneski did find some success pitching out of the Cubs' bullpen last season, but with Boyd's arrival and Ben Brown returning from a neck injury that ended his 2024 season in June, the former Yankees' farmhand may be a trade candidate this offseason.

2. Javier Assad

Javier Assad continued to defy expectations during the 2024 season. In 29 starts with the Cubs last season, Assad posted a 3.73 ERA. It was an impressive season for Assad, no doubt, but his expected ERA of 4.97 and expected FIP of 4.61 do suggest there was a tremendous amount of luck involved with his success. Assuming the Cubs look to the trade market to add a high-end starting pitcher, Assad could be included as part of the package going the other way.

3. Jordan Wicks

Jordan Wicks' injury-riddled 2024 season isn't a reason for the Cubs to give up on their 2021 first-round pick. In 11 appearances last season, 10 starts, Wicks posted a 5.48 ERA in 46 innings pitched. Having yet to have a full season at the Major League level, Wicks could still profile as a capable mid-rotation starting pitcher. However, Boyd's arrival, like it does with Assad, could make the Cubs more willing to include a 25-year-old starting pitcher in a trade this offseason.