Latest free agent rumors prove Cubs missed their window on these 3 pitchers

What do Jack Flaherty, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea all have in common apart from pitching in the NLCS over the last week? All three were free agents last offseason - and the Chicago Cubs passed on each of them.

According to The Athletic (subscription required), it's 'doubtful' the Cubs will pursue them this winter because all three will come with a substantially larger price tag than they carried 12 months ago. Take into account the fact the New York Mets could extend qualifying offers to Manaea and Severino and it feels like a foregone conclusion the Cubs will find their rotation depth elsewhere.

Given reports that the Cubs went over the first CBT threshold by the slimmest of margins, signing a player with a qualifying offer comes with significant ramifications. Chicago would have to give up $1 million in international bonus pool money and a pair of draft picks: their second and fifth-highest picks in next year's MLB Draft. That makes players like Manaea and Severino less-than-ideal fits.

Flaherty, 29, signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Detroit Tigers last winter after splitting the 2023 season between St. Louis and Baltimore. He stumbled following the trade to the Orioles and was looking to re-set his market with a strong start-to-finish 2024 effort. It's safe to say he did just that.

The right-hander worked to a 2.95 ERA and 3.12 FIP in 18 starts with Detroit before they sent him to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. The Los Angeles area native didn't miss a beat, working to a 3.58 ERA with his new team down the stretch, giving the Dodgers a badly needed shot in the arm as they battled an endless stream of pitching injuries en route to yet another NL West title.

His postseason work hasn't been great (a career 4.91 ERA in 40.1 innings, including a 7.04 mark in three starts this year), but it's safe to say he's going to do well in free agency this winter, especially since he cannot be tied to a qualifying offer or draft pick compensation.

Expect the Cubs to look to guys like Walker Buehler or Nate Eovaldi as they look to bolster a starting rotation that features Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga - but when it comes to Flaherty, Severino and Manaea, the fit just isn't there.