3 reasons why a Corbin Burnes signing would transform the Cubs

2. Burnes would take significant workload off the bullpen

In addition to his elite strikeout rates, Burnes has proven to be a workhorse since becoming a starter.

Corbin Burnes Innings Pitched as a starter:

This ability to go deep into ballgames and retain production throughout the season would be extremely valuable to the Cubs pitching staff as a whole. Injuries and poor performance have plagued Cubs starters in recent years, putting strain on a bullpen that feels like it has always had to scramble to stay ahead. But if Steele, Taillon, and Imanaga can stay healthy, adding Burnes would give the Cubs four guys who could potentially throw 170+ innings next year.

That kind of workload would give the bullpen much less slack to pick up, which is especially important toward the end of the year when guys start getting burned out. Starters producing like this were also one of the factors that led to the Cubs' continued success in the 2010s. A Burnes signing would be especially reminiscent of the Jon Lester deal in 2015. Lester's six-year pact with the Cubs marked the beginning of a fruitful postseason window and he was a fixture in Chicago's rotation, throwing over 900 innings over the course of his contract.

Burnes wouldn't solve all the Cubs' problems, as bullpen additions should also be heavily considered this winter to help with the blown saves dilemma.