The stated goal of the offseason for the Chicago Cubs when the 2024 season was to add an established starting pitcher to the top of their rotation. Spring Training starts on February 9, with the only additions the Cubs have made to the rotation being Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea. Short of playing MLB The Show on rookie, Boyd and Rea are far from established starting pitchers who can be slotted near the top of the Major League rotation.
The Cubs have had flirtations earlier this offseason about a potential trade for Jesús Luzardo but after those talks fell through and Luzardo was moved the Philadelphia Phillies, the Cubs haven't been connected heavily to starting pitching market.
As Spring Training approaches, it's possible the Cubs turn to the free-agent market to bolster their starting rotation. There is one pitcher who, if healthy, would check the box of being an established pitcher who can be earmarked for the top of a rotation.
Hearing Mets have some level of interest in reuniting with Max Scherzer on a one-year deal https://t.co/SV4afFFaB4
— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 24, 2025
The 40-year-old Scherzer was limited to only 9 starts for the Texas Rangers last season, posting a 3.95 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched. Scherzer was plagued with shoulder and hamstring issues last season with the Rangers. adding to the importance of him throwing in front of teams this offseason. Given his recent rash of injuries and age, the former Cy Young award winner would seem to be the type of signing the Cubs could make with the goal of finding a short-term advantageous deal.
Adding Scherzer wouldn't squash the durability concerns of the Cubs' starting rotation. Scherzer has entered the stage of his career where injuries have become the theme and adding him to a rotation that includes Boyd, who hasn't pitched over 100 innings in a season since 2019, would add to the importance of the Cubs having pitching depth. Still, if the money is right, it would be hard for the Cubs to not take a flier on Scherzer.