Cubs’ offseason pitching rumors are already swirling around these names

Pitching figures to be the theme of the Chicago Cubs' offseason, with the expectation that the Cubs will look to add power pitchers in their starting rotation and bullpen. The Cubs found hidden gems last offseason with Matthew Boyd being an All-Star in his first season with the team and Colin Rea turning out to be one of the most reliable arms on the staff, but the impression is that the Cubs will aim higher with their targets this offseason.

Dating back to last offseason, the Cubs haven't been shy about the fact that they needed another top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Once Justin Steele went down for the 2025 season, the need became even clearer. Yet, the Cubs have shied away from addressing that hole.

Cubs are wasting no time identifying top arms for 2026 rotation

If that changes this offseason, The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma has some early names to keep an eye on. As with most teams around baseball, Sharma suggests that free agents Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease could intrigue the Cubs, as well as Japanese starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai.

On the trade market, Sharma brings back to life the Joe Ryan trade rumors from the MLB trade deadline. With the Minnesota Twins in the early stages of a full reset, it stands to reason that Ryan could be on the trade market this offseason.

Until proven otherwise, it feels unlikely that the Cubs are going to spend at the top of the market when it comes to their need in the rotation. That likely will take the Cubs out of the bidding for Valdez, who is the top starting pitcher available on the free-agent market. Even if the Cubs were to be willing to spend, they likely would have some concerns when it comes to Valdez's fit in the clubhouse, considering how things ended during his time with the Houston Astros.

If Cease were to be willing to take a short-term, high-AAV deal, that could be something the Cubs monitor. The former Cubs' top pitching prospect has the swing-and-miss that the team currently lacks in their rotation.

Trading for a controllable arm like Ryan figures to be the route the Cubs preferred to take. That would mean giving up a prospect package that surpasses what the team gave up for Kyle Tucker last offseason. A worthy sacrifice if it meant the Cubs were finally able to get past the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.