Will a quantity of rotation options soon lead to better quality for the Cubs?

Frustration is still simmering among the Chicago Cubs faithful after a disappointing trade deadline and recent struggles. While the main culprit of this tough stretch has been the lack of offense, there is still a sense that Jed Hoyer should have brought in more starting pitching. A depth move for a now-hurt Michael Soroka was not the needle mover people anticipated. With that said, the Cubs, assuming there are no other injuries, will have an abundance of starting pitching options down the stretch. The question is, with the quantity will there be enough quality?

Right now your top three starters are Matthew Boyd, Shōta Imanaga and rookie Cade Horton. Generally, it feels good when they take the ball. There is some uncertainty with Horton dealing with the heaviest workload he's ever shouldered, not to mention the natural ebbs and flows of a rookie, and Boyd will always have an injury concern lingering. But based on overall performance so far there’s reason to have confidence in that trio.

As for the other two, Colin Rea, to his credit, has done an overall nice job for a low-rotation/spot starter. He’s not the most ideal guy to start a pivotal postseason game but he’s pitched like a very solid 4-5 and keeps them in ballgames. Meanwhile Ben Brown is a total coin flip despite the upside and good stuff, which causes unease…to say the least.

Cubs hoping reinforcements help get the train back on the tracks

Several arms are on their way back, including Jameson Taillon. For much of this season he has been efficient and eaten innings, although his struggles just before the injury and the home run issue can cause some grief. Some of the peripherals were not great, either. That said, the Cubs will have a solid mid-rotation starter in him if he pitches like he did in 2024 and much of late April-May this year.
There is also depth returning in Javier Asaad, a concern being that he has not pitched at all this year. He might not be starting games right away, but he’s an option if needed when healthy. Having the depth and option is nice.

Looking forward, again assuming health, the Cubs will have Boyd, Imanaga, Horton, Taillon, Rea, Brown, Assad, and potentially Soroka returning as starting options. Maybe even Jordan Wicks. Quantity, but what about quality? Several guys with recent injuries, an inconsistent commodity, a rookie pushing into unprecedented innings totals, and a lack of another experienced veteran or high-ceiling arm generate questions and concerns. Even if the prices for a MacKenzie Gore or Edward Cabrera were too absurd, having a Charlie Morton type would have been a decent addition to that mix.

It’s not to say you can’t win with this group. Boyd is an All Star, Imanaga is very good, Horton is growing and has looked great recently, Rea has been solid, Taillon, when at his best, is a good mid-rotation piece, and Assad has a track record of finding success without being flashy. The Cubs just run risks without having more high-end stuff and/or postseason experience in the rotation.

One thing that a fully healthy starting staff provides is less strain on the bullpen, and they can chew up some more innings, which is big down a final stretch. Give the rotation a ton of credit for holding up the way they’ve had through the injuries; it will be important they can help keep it going.