What the Chicago Cubs rotation could look like after adding Shota Imanaga

3. Jameson Taillon

Jameson Taillon will be the highest-paid pitcher on the Cubs staff this year, making $18 million in the second year of his four-year contract. But his overall performance in his initial year left much to be desired after a 4.84 ERA. Although he was better in the second half, it's hard to trust Taillon right now until he puts together a string of solid starts without getting shelled.

That being said, there is a pattern of starters struggling in their first year of a new contract. Jon Lester, Yu Darvish, and Tyler Chatwood all had suspect first years in Chicago with the first two settling down in subsequent seasons. Hopefully, Taillon takes after Lester instead of someone like Chatwood because he is under contract for three more seasons and he's earning a steep paycheck. The Cubs need him to step up and be a reliable piece to compete so all eyes will be on him from the jump.