Cubs facing total pitching overhaul as official free agency news hits hard

There's no time to waste this offseason after the Milwaukee Brewers won the World Series on Wednesday night, and Thursday morning has brought news of two pitchers turning down their player options to become free agents.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers confirms that both Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd have turned their player options for the 2027 season, and will become free agents. In addition to Holmes and Boyd, Rogers also adds that Shota Imanga, Kevin Gausman, and David Peterson have all procedurally elected free agency.

Cubs' pitching staff makeover begins with Matthew Boyd, Clay Holmes electing free agency

When the Cubs traded for Holmes, the expectation was that he would turn down his player option at the end of season. While he struggled in September with the Cubs, the larger track record over the past two years point to him being an effective starting pitcher. It's worth noting that the The Athletic's Jim Bowden had Holmes' next contract projected at $44 million for two years. That feels like a deal the Cubs would be willing to make, considering his ability to keep the ball on the ground is perfect for Chicago's defense.

It feels less likely that the Cubs would be interested in a reunion with Boyd. Over the past two years, it's felt like the Cubs have got the most out of Boyd, but it's time for them to look elsewhere. While he posted a 3.91 ERA this past year, injuries limited him to 22 starts and his ability to miss bats frequently disappeared. Boyd struck out only 18.5% of the hitters he faced last year, and boasted a FIP of 4.21. Those are metrics that would suggest the Cubs move in a different direction moving forward.

As for the trio of Gausman, Peterson, and Imanaga, it would seem that only Peterson has the strongest chance of returning. Like Holmes, Peterson thrives by keeping the ball on the ground, and he should even cheaper than his former New York Mets teammate.

For Gausman, a return to the Toronto Blue Jays feels likely. In Imanaga's case, it's an example of the Cubs needing to change how they view pitching. Imanaga is a fly-ball pitcher, and that's not a profile that is equipped for success while pitching at Wrigley Field.

If nothing else, today is confirmation that the Cubs' pitching staff is going to look different next year. The hope is that with the change, there's also improvement and heightened expectations.

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