Cade Horton reality check hits Cubs after phenomenal rookie season

When we're talking about Cade Horton lately, all anybody is thinking about is the right rib fracture that has sidelined him for the entire postseason to this point - and rightfully so. Without him, the Chicago Cubs are playing short-handed with a rotation that fails to measure up to the other remaining teams in the World Series hunt.

Horton is expected to throw off a mound this week as the Cubs look to assess his potential availability should they advance to the NLCS. Meanwhile, the front office is reportedly coming to grips with the fact Horton will likely receive a full year of major league service time due to his expected top-2 finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Cade Horton expected to hit free agency after the 2030 season

Assuming that's the case, the former University of Oklahoma standout will become a free agent after the 2030 season, instead of the club controlling him for nearly seven full MLB seasons. And if you're upset about this, point the finger at the Cubs. This change to the most recent CBA is almost directly connected to how the team handled Kris Bryant's initial big-league call-up back in 2015.

With a fully healthy Horton and Justin Steele back next year, the Cubs could have one of the deepest starting rotations in the National League with a mix of Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd rounding out the mix. Of course, injuries have wreaked havoc on the rotation this year, so don't expect Jed Hoyer to sit on his hands this winter. Pitching depth will always be an offseason focus.

Horton's rookie campaign was superb, especially in the second half, when he blossomed not only into the Cubs' best pitcher, but arguably the best starter in the entire league. He finished the year with a 2.67 ERA in 22 starts spanning 118 innings of work, including a magical 1.03 ERA in 11 second-half starts, catapulting himself into the Rookie of the Year conversation.

There's a great deal of uncertainty for the Cubs past 2026. A looming CBA battle and potential lockout, not to mention guys like Nico Hoerner, Jameson Taillon, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki hitting free agency, will greatly alter the look of this team in the back half of the decade. But one thing seems certain: Horton has a huge role to play for Chicago for years to come.