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3 starting pitchers the Chicago Cubs should target in 2024
The Chicago Cubs have a lot of starting pitching depth that begins at the Big League level and continues well into their minor league system. However, the one thing they lack is a clear ace-level starting pitcher to solidify their rotation. During their last playoff window, there were multiple pitchers that filled this role on the North Side. Jake Arrieta was in Cy Young form, Jon Lester had some of the best years of his career and Kyle Hendricks nabbed himself an ERA title.
But now, the bottom-heavy starting rotation could use one of those trustworthy aces to put the team in a better position for a deep playoff run. Even if guys like Hayden Wesneski and Justin Steele take big steps forward, it would be comforting to have an experienced workhorse on staff. Here are some options that the Cubs could entertain during next year's potent starting pitching market.
3 starting pitchers the Chicago Cubs should target: Shohei Ohtani
Ok, I'm going to get this out of the way, Ohtani is on this list because every team should at least consider signing him. I don't think this is a serious possibility for the Cubs though because Jed Hoyer has been relatively gun-shy when it comes to giving out huge contracts. Yes, he just gave Dansby Swanson the second-largest contract in team history, but Shohei Ohtani is an entirely different animal. This is the type of player who will likely demand the largest contract in MLB history, which will be close to if not a $500 million deal. Jed Hoyer is not the type of GM, and Tom Ricketts is frankly not the type of owner, to push in the chips and dish out that much cash on one player.
Nor do I want them to gamble that much. Ohtani is an amazing player, and I consider myself lucky to live in a time where I get to see a man simultaneously pitch and hit at an extremely high level. But, I can never shake the feeling that all the stress he puts on his body will result in a serious injury at some point. Taking everything into account, I don't think Shohei Ohtani will be a Chicago Cub, no matter how good he would look in those pinstripes.
3 starting pitchers the Chicago Cubs should target: Julio Urias
This Dodgers ace is a more realistic option for the Cubs. Although injuries plagued Julio Urias earlier in his career, he has turned in back-to-back seasons of at least 31 starts and an ERA below 3. He whiffs a lot of hitters (166 in 2023) and pounds the strike zone with a mid-90s fastball complemented by a sweeping curveball.
The main plus side to Urias is that he will be just 27 years old when he reaches free agency next winter. Players are typically closer to 30 when they get to test the market, but Urias was just 19 when he made his Major League debut in 2016, which started his service time clock earlier than most. This lefty would slot in well at the top of the Cubs rotation. In addition to collecting a good amount of strikeouts per year, his groundball percentage floats around the league average, which would play well for the newly minted elite defense the Cubs will field for years to come.
3 starting pitchers the Chicago Cubs should target: Aaron Nola
To me, Aaron Nola is the most realistic and viable option for the Cubs. The Phillies ace will be 30 years old when he reaches free agency after the 2023 season, and I would be totally fine with the Cubs giving him a six or seven-year deal similar to what Carlos Rodon got this offseason. Not only is Nola a proven top-of-the-line starting pitcher, but he is also coming off helping lead his team to the World Series.
Next. Pete Crow-Armstrong considered among top OF prospects. dark
Since breaking into the bigs in 2015, Nola has turned in 3 different seasons where he tossed 200+ innings. After a shaky 2021, Nola turned everything around in 2022 where he led all starting pitchers in WAR while striking out 235 with a 3.25 ERA. After taking all of this into account, it is unbelievable that the Phillies have not even floated the idea of a contract extension to their homegrown ace. Putting this man at Wrigley Field would be reminiscent of the Jon Lester signing in 2015, and turn what is currently an above-average pitching staff into a playoff contender.