The Chicago Cubs have spent the last few offseasons playing the role of the team that’s always in the mix but rarely at the finish line. That narrative ended this winter.
After years of near-misses and half-measures, the Cubs finally made real noise by landing both Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera-two significant pieces that signal a shift in approach. The Cubs aren’t just browsing anymore; they’re buying.
But while the North Siders are stepping into a more aggressive era, a familiar division rival is now wearing the crown of offseason almosts: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates have been busy this winter-not necessarily in terms of signings, but certainly in headlines. First, they were reportedly in on Josh Naylor.
The word was they were serious contenders… until Naylor signed with the Seattle Mariners, and the Pirates never actually made an offer. Then came the pivot to Kyle Schwarber.
Again, interest was public, but action? Not so much.
Schwarber re-upped with the Phillies.
Most recently, Pittsburgh was linked to Eugenio Suárez, only to watch him head back to Cincinnati. It’s been a pattern: interest without execution, buzz without a payoff.
The Pirates haven’t just been close-they’ve been loudly close. And that’s the kind of offseason frustration that builds pressure in a front office.
Now, the Pirates are swinging big again. According to Ken Rosenthal, Pittsburgh is making a serious push for free-agent left-hander Framber Valdez. That’s not a rumor you hear every day-especially not with the Pirates attached.
Let’s be clear: Valdez is a legit frontline arm. He’s not the type of pitcher you chase just to say you tried.
If the Pirates actually pull this off, it would be a major win-not just for their rotation, but for their credibility. After a winter of near-misses, landing Valdez would be a statement that they’re serious about competing.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the Pirates don’t exactly need starting pitching. In fact, their rotation is already the most stable part of their roster.
They’ve got young, controllable arms in the system and a solid group already in the big leagues. So why make Valdez the big swing?
This feels like a move driven less by need and more by optics. Pittsburgh has come up short on nearly every major free-agent target they’ve chased this offseason.
At some point, you’ve got to land someone. Signing Valdez would be a way to save face-to show fans and the rest of the league that they can close a deal.
It wouldn’t necessarily fill a hole, but it would change the tone around the team.
Of course, there’s still the question of whether Valdez actually wants to pitch in Pittsburgh. His market hasn’t developed the way many expected.
The Orioles have been linked to him for months, and now Rosenthal reports that the Giants, Braves, and Blue Jays could all be in play-if the price drops. That’s a big “if,” especially with teams weighing fit, clubhouse dynamics, and pitching philosophies.
As for the Cubs, don’t expect them to jump into the Valdez sweepstakes. Yes, they’ve shown interest in top-tier arms like Zac Gallen, but Valdez doesn’t check the same boxes.
Chicago’s front office has clearly prioritized pitchers who miss bats, and Valdez has built his reputation more on ground balls and weak contact. That’s not necessarily a bad thing-it’s just not what the Cubs are looking for right now.
There’s also the behind-the-scenes factor. Sources suggest Valdez might not be the best clubhouse fit for Chicago’s current group. Add that to the stylistic mismatch, and it’s easy to see why the Cubs are content to sit this one out.
So while the Pirates make noise and chase headlines, the Cubs are staying the course. They’ve already made their moves, and they’re not chasing names just for the sake of it.
If Pittsburgh somehow lands Valdez, it might raise a few eyebrows. But until they prove they can turn interest into ink on paper, the Cubs-and the rest of the division-aren’t losing sleep.