The Chicago Cubs made a statement earlier this offseason by landing Alex Bregman in free agency - a move that signaled they’re serious about contending. But they might not be done just yet.
There's still a chance the Cubs make another splash, this time on the mound. Framber Valdez, one of the top starting pitchers still available, could be the next big name heading to Wrigley. And if you're looking for a team that fits Valdez’s strengths like a glove - literally - Chicago might just be the perfect match.
Valdez has built his career on pounding the zone and inducing ground balls. Since 2021, he’s posted a 62% ground-ball rate, which ranks fourth among qualified starters.
That’s elite territory. He’s also led all of baseball in double plays turned during that span - a direct result of his ability to keep the ball down and force hitters to put it on the ground.
But here’s the thing about ground-ball pitchers: they’re only as good as the defense behind them. And that’s where the Cubs come in.
Chicago’s infield defense is built to thrive behind a pitcher like Valdez. With Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner up the middle, Matt Shaw showing promise, and now Bregman added at third, the Cubs boast one of the sharpest defensive infields in the game.
According to the metrics, they finished last season with +11 Outs Above Average (12th in MLB) and a +66 Defensive Runs Saved mark - second-best in the league. That’s not just good - that’s elite.
To put that in perspective, the next-best club in the Valdez sweepstakes when it comes to OAA is the Mets, who posted a -3. On the DRS side, the Giants come closest with +39. So yeah, the Cubs have a clear edge here.
Now, the infield configuration won’t always feature all four of Swanson, Hoerner, Shaw, and Bregman at the same time - Michael Busch is expected to get most of the reps at first base. But even with that rotation, the Cubs have the depth and flexibility to keep a strong defensive unit on the field.
If Valdez is looking for a team that can turn his grounders into outs and keep his ERA low, Chicago makes a lot of sense. Between their revamped infield and a front office that’s clearly in win-now mode, the Cubs offer a rare combination of fit and opportunity.
Signing Bregman was a big move. Bringing in Valdez could be the one that takes this team from interesting to dangerous.