Cubs Hot Stove Update: Carson Kelly return, Adrian Morejon’s preference, Starting pitching search

The GM Meetings are underway in Las Vegas, and with a lockout looming, there's a sense that there could be some real activity this week. If nothing else, these meetings often can serve as a guide for what fans should expect, and for the Chicago Cubs, the initial messaging may not be the most encouraging.

The Cubs have already signaled that they won't be involved in the bidding for Tarik Skubal this offseason, and there's an expectation that Michael King could once again have an asking price that doesn't match the team's interest level.

Cubs haven't ruled out Carson Kelly reunion, but writing may be on the wall

Pitching isn't the only focus for the Cubs, considering there's also the reality that their starting catcher over the last two years is now a free agent. While there was talk in October that the Cubs could ignore their models to bring back Kelly, the latest messaging is that the team could be willing to go young at the position.

The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma reports that if the Cubs have money left in the budget, they could have interest in bringing back Kelly. Otherwise, the team is signaling they are comfortable moving forward with Miguel Amaya and Owen Ayers as their catching tandem in 2027. Sharma does suggest the Cubs could also bring in another, cheaper veteran to be part of the mix as well.

There is risk in that approach, considering when Amaya has been on the cusp of being the team's primary catcher in the past, he has struggled to stay on the field. As for Ayers, he's had a meteoric rise in his prospect status, but moving forward with a rookie catcher is going to come with growing pains.

Adrian Morejon drawing interest as a starting pitcher, prefers to remain in the bullpen

A popular theory among Cubs fans is that the team could pursue Adrian Morejon with the idea of converting him into a starting pitcher. Morejon has been one of the more effective high-leverage bullpen arms with the San Diego Padres in recent years, but made his debut as a starting pitcher, and it's the type of thinking that has become common in baseball.

With that said, it doesn't sound like Morejon has much interest in leaving his bullpen role. The Athletic's MLB insiders report that Morejon's preference is to sign with a team with the expectation that he would remain in the bullpen. The possibility was left open if Morejon receives a "big offer", but along those lines, the Cubs probably wouldn't be the team to be that persuasive.

Cubs hoping to add three "established" starting pitchers this offseason

Updating the Chicago Cubs' search for pitching, the team is reportedly hoping to acquire three "established starting pitchers" this offseason, according to a report from Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma.

Considering the Cubs lost multiple starting pitchers to free agency this offseason, the expectation was that the team would take more than bite at the apple in finding replacements for the starting rotation. There's also the reality that the Cubs will likely spend most of the 2027 season without Cade Horton, and Ben Brown's has yet to be cleared and faces the possibility of surgery this offseason.

In perfect world, it would seem that the Cubs want to add a top-of-the-rotation pitcher, and then two options who could be placed near the middle of the rotation. With over $100 million off their books, they have the money to do it, but this is a team that rarely goes outside of the comfort zone when paying for pitching. With a lockout looming after December 1, time won't be on the Cubs' side if the front office is going to be stubborn with their spending.

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