Chicago Cubs Rumors: Yusei Kikuchi, Nick Pivetta among latest free agency speculation

Improving the starting rotation appears to be the main focus for the Chicago Cubs this offseason but that focus likely won't lead to the team pursuing Corbin Burnes.

While the Cubs seem to be in the market for adding a veteran pitcher that can be near the top of their rotation, it seems that the potential will be closer to their additions of Jameson Taillon and Marcus Stroman in recent season than it would be for a starting pitcher like Burnes.

To that end, in his primer for the offseason, Jeff Passan of ESPN has the Cubs among the teams interesting in the "midtier pitching market" this offseason. The two starting pitchers mentioned specifically by Passan in terms of having interest from the Cubs are Yusei Kikuchi and Nick Pivetta.

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In splitting time with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros last offseason, Kikuchi posted an ERA of 4.05 in 32 starts. Kikuchi's expected ERA, 3.75, and FIP, 3.46, would suggest that he was the victim of bad luck last season. It's worth noting that he posted a 2.70 ERA with the defensively sound Astros once being traded to Houston at the Trade Deadline.

Meanwhile, Pivetta posted 4.14 ERA in 27 appearances with the Boston Red Sox last season. Pivetta's expected ERA sat at 3.59 last season but his FIP, 4.07, does suggest his ERA is indicative of the type of starting pitcher he was in 2024.

This was the concern once it became common knowledge that starting pitching was going to be the method the Cubs would take this offseason to improve their Major League roster. In theory, it's an idea that could hold up if the addition is one of Burnes or Max Fried. However, falling back on the "midtier pitching market" isn't a move that will close the gap between the Cubs and division-leading, Milwaukee Brewers.