If the Cubs are looking to bolster their rotation this offseason, Pablo López is a name that should absolutely be on their radar. The Twins appear to be shifting into rebuild mode, and López, a talented right-hander with a track record of success, could be one of the more intriguing arms available on the trade market.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: 2025 was a bumpy ride for López. He missed a significant chunk of the season-three months, to be exact-after suffering a teres major strain in the back of his shoulder. He made a brief return in September, logging three starts before landing back on the injured list with what the Twins described as a mild forearm strain.
That second injury raised some eyebrows, but according to reports late in the season, there was no concern about anything more serious like an elbow or UCL issue. In fact, the Twins indicated that if the season hadn’t been winding down, López might have simply skipped a start instead of being shut down. With only a week left in the regular season, the team opted to play it safe.
López himself echoed that sentiment, calling it the “best-case scenario” given the timing. With eight days left in the season, there wasn’t much incentive to push it.
So, what does that mean for 2026? All signs point to López being ready for Opening Day.
But if the Cubs are serious about acquiring him, you can bet they’ll want to take a long, hard look at his medicals before pulling the trigger. Given the nature of his injuries-particularly the shoulder strain-it’s a fair and necessary step.
Injuries aside, López brings a lot to the table. Prior to 2025, he was one of the more reliable starters in the league.
He posted three straight seasons with 32 starts, showcasing both durability and consistency. His command has always been a strength-he owns a career walk rate of just 6.3%, which puts him among the more efficient strike-throwers in the game.
And then there’s the contract. López is signed for two more seasons at $21.75 million per year. That’s not cheap, but for a frontline-caliber starter in today’s market, it’s a manageable number-especially for a Cubs team that’s looking to contend and has some financial flexibility.
Let’s not forget how he got to Minnesota in the first place. López came over from Miami in the high-profile trade that sent Luis Arráez to the Marlins.
That deal underscored just how highly regarded he was at the time-and for good reason. When healthy, López has the kind of stuff that can anchor a rotation.
He mixes a mid-90s fastball with a devastating changeup and a sharp curveball, keeping hitters off balance and limiting hard contact.
If the Cubs are looking for a proven arm to slot behind-or even alongside-their current rotation leaders, López fits the mold. The health concerns are real, but they’re not insurmountable. And with the Twins seemingly open for business, this could be the right time for Chicago to make a move.
The bottom line: Pablo López is a high-upside trade target with some recent injury baggage, but if the medicals check out, he could be a major addition for a Cubs team that’s looking to take the next step.