Cubs’ projected 2026 rotation exposes a lingering Jed Hoyer failure

The Chicago Cubs needed a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher last offseason, and their answer was signing Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea. The Cubs needed a starting pitcher with playoff experience at the MLB trade deadline, and their answer was Michael Soroka. Those moves set the stage for the failures that occurred during the Cubs' playoff run.

If the 2026 season is truly going to be different for the Cubs, they need to actually find a pitcher they can slot in at the top of their lineup. Boyd looked like an ace during the first half of the season, but the regression he experienced during the closing months of the season proved he is likely closer to a middle-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Factor in that Shota Imanaga's second-half struggles can't be overlooked, and it's clear the Cubs need to add to their rotation this winter.

Way-too-early look at the projected 2026 Chicago Cubs' starting rotation

To be clear, this is only looking at the pitchers the Cubs currently have under contract for next season. On paper, it looks strong, but some caveats apply, and would be the reason why the Cubs need to make an addition this offseason.

Cade Horton

With his dominating performance during the second half of his rookie season, Cade Horton has emerged as the next ace of the Cubs' rotation. Given that Justin Steele may not be ready for the start of the 2026 season and Imanaga's struggles to end the season, Horton could be in line to be the team's Opening Day starter.

Justin Steele

Justin Steele is expected to be ready somewhere around Opening Day next season. The Cubs' playoff run proved how much they missed Steele at the top of their rotation, and he should give the starting staff stability upon his return.

Matthew Boyd

Matthew Boyd seemed to tire out as the 2025 season came to a close, and in a rotation where he doesn't need to be the ace of the staff, he proved to be a reliable middle-of-the-rotation option with some upside.

Shota Imanaga

It's quite the fall for Imanaga, who opened the 2025 season as the de facto ace of the Cubs' rotation. Given how the season ended, the Cubs can't trust Imanaga to be at the top of their rotation. If it's as simple as Imanaga was tipping his pitches during the final months of the season, that should give the Cubs some hope that he can be fixed in 2026.

Jameson Taillon

Taillon likely slots at the back of the Cubs' rotation. It was an up-and-down 2025 season for Taillon as he struggled with injuries and the home runs, but looked strong to close out the campaign. It will be Taillon's final season under his current contract with the Cubs.