Forgotten Cubs' free agent targets remains an option post Roki Sasaki decision

It seems that the Chicago Cubs are holding off on making an addition to their starting rotation to their starting rotation until the team has a definitive answer on where they stand in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes.

We're still about one week away from another update on Sasaki's market, as he is expected to sign between January 15 and January 23. While the Cubs remain in the mix, they seem to be losing ground to the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, on the off chance that Sasaki chooses the Cubs, that would be the reason why the Cubs likely haven't made a move to their starting rotation.

Once Sasaki makes his decision and assuming it's not the Cubs, Jed Hoyer's front office may act quickly to fill the need in the rotation. While the Cubs have been linked to Jack Flaherty in recent days, there's another free agent who the Cubs were connected to earlier this season who remains an option.

Nick Pivetta remains on the market and the former Boston Red Sox starting pitcher was connected to the Cubs during the early days of the offseason. Pivetta does have a qualifying offer attached to his free agency, likely the reason he remains available, but he fits the profile of the type of pitcher the Cubs prefer for their rotation.

While Pivetta has yet to post an ERA under 4 over the course of his career, his strikeout-to-walk ratio, along with his stuff factor, makes him someone the Cubs would love to have in their pitching infrastructure. Pivetta's strikeout percentage with the Red Sox last season sat at 28.9%, better than any Cubs' starting pitcher. His walk percentage last season, 6.1%, would be the second-lowest mark in the Cubs' rotation to only Jameson Taillon.

There are plenty of reasons for the Cubs to like Pivetta but the qualifying offer could be the reason why they look in a different direction if they miss on Sasaki. The aforementioned Flaherty does not have a qualifying offer attached.