The Chicago Cubs have been quietly - and now not-so-quietly - building something serious this offseason. With a pair of headline-grabbing additions in Edward Cabrera and Alex Bregman, the Cubs are no longer a team just trying to stay competitive in the NL Central.
They’re shaping up to be a legitimate contender. And if the latest buzz proves true, they might be on the verge of taking an even bigger step.
According to longtime insider Bruce Levine, there’s growing chatter that the Cubs could land Zac Gallen - yes, that Zac Gallen - in what would be a blockbuster move to solidify an already-improved rotation.
When asked who would be the team’s top starter while Justin Steele works his way back, Levine didn’t hesitate: “Oh, that’s easy: Zac Gallen.” That’s a bold answer, especially considering Gallen isn’t even on the roster - yet.
But Levine’s confidence wasn’t just offhand speculation. He pointed to conversations with sources who are typically in the know, suggesting that the Cubs and Gallen have been connected since early December. And with Gallen still unsigned deep into the offseason, the door might be wide open for Chicago to make a move.
Let’s be clear: adding Gallen to this rotation would be a game-changer. The Cubs already have a solid five-man group in Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, and Jameson Taillon. And that doesn’t even include Steele, who’s expected back during the season, or Colin Rea, a versatile arm capable of starting or coming out of the bullpen.
Now imagine dropping a frontline starter like Gallen into that mix.
You’re suddenly looking at a seven-deep rotation - rare in today’s game - and that kind of depth gives the Cubs options. They could move a starter in a trade to address other needs or simply ride the wave of surplus pitching into the summer, knowing injuries and attrition are inevitable.
What makes this scenario even more intriguing is the timing. Gallen’s still on the market, and according to Levine, he may be in a position where he’ll need to consider a shorter-term deal - perhaps three years, with opt-outs after the first or second season. That kind of structure could work perfectly for a Cubs team looking to win now without locking up long-term payroll.
For a franchise that’s been methodically rebuilding its core and re-establishing its identity, this offseason feels like a turning point. Bregman brings championship pedigree and a big bat.
Cabrera adds electric stuff to the mound. And if Gallen joins the fold?
That’s the kind of move that announces, *we’re not just here to compete - we’re here to contend. *
Nothing’s official yet, and as always in baseball, rumors are just that until pen hits paper. But Levine’s report isn’t just smoke - it’s got some real heat behind it.
And for Cubs fans, the idea of Zac Gallen taking the mound at Wrigley in a home uniform is more than a fun thought experiment. It’s a very real possibility that could push this team from “interesting” to “dangerous” in a hurry.