The Cubs’ first real clues out of the GM Meetings don’t point to a splashy chase for one of the biggest names on the board. Instead, they suggest Chicago is lining up around a pitcher who fits the organization’s usual sweet spot: Kaima Taira.
That matters because the early read on the Cubs’ offseason has been more about who they’re unlikely to pursue than who they will. Tarik Skubal appears to be off the table, and there seems to be a limit to how far the Cubs are willing to go on Michael King. Freddy Peralta has also come up as a possible target, but the warning signs in his 2026 profile may be enough to cool that interest.
Even with plenty of arms still available, the Cubs are expected to add multiple starting pitchers, and that creates a specific kind of shopping list. They need at least one starter with enough upside to sit near the top of the rotation, plus two more who can help fill out the group. That’s a tricky balance, especially for a front office that has generally stayed inside its comfort zone when it comes to pitching spending.
This winter doesn’t look like the one that produced Alex Bregman’s five-year, $175 million deal last offseason. On the pitching side, the Cubs are not expected to make that kind of leap. That helps explain why they’ve already moved themselves out of the Skubal sweepstakes and why any interest in King is expected to be guided closely by their models.
Against that backdrop, Taira stands out.
According to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, the Cubs have done extensive homework on Taira and have interest in him as a starting pitcher. He brings an unusual look: listed at 5-foot-9, but with a delivery that creates extension closer to 6-foot-10.
That kind of profile lines up with what the Cubs tend to value on the mound. In Japan, his ground-ball rate has been above 45% since he debuted professionally in 2019, and he also brings a fastball that sits in the upper-90s.
There’s also a belief that teams could get even more swing-and-miss out of his arsenal.
There is risk here, though. Taira has only had two seasons in Japan in which he worked exclusively as a starting pitcher, so a future move to the bullpen could still be part of the equation once he reaches the majors.
But that uncertainty may also be part of the appeal for Chicago. In a market where the Cubs are trying to find value without stretching beyond their limits, Taira looks like the kind of arm that could land right in their range.
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Cubs Could Revisit A Familiar Rotation Move This Winter
Jed Hoyers winter pitching plan appears to be taking shape, and it does not sound like the Cubs are preparing to chase the biggest name on the market. Instead, Chicago is expected to look for starting pitchers who come at a more manageable price, with an eye toward arms that either miss bats or keep the ball on the ground. It is the kind of practical approach that fits the way the front office has operated, especially with the rotation still needing stability heading into next season.
One familiar option could be Shota Imanaga, who spent his entire MLB career with the Cubs and accepted a qualifying offer for 2026. The left-hander turned in a solid 2025 season, but the Cubs did not use him in their playoff games, and there are still some concerns about his home run issues. Even so, he remains a possible fit if the price is right, though Chicago seems wary of going too far to bring him back. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Brown News Just Made The Cubs Rotation Problem Even Worse
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Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said the team opted for surgery with the goal of helping Brown recover completely, and the expectation is that he should be ready to pitch early in the 2027 season. For a rotation that already has plenty to sort through, losing any time from a pitcher the Cubs were hoping to count on only adds to the uncertainty heading into the year. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Trade Debate Starts With One Tempting Move Hoyer Should Avoid
The Cubs are headed into the GM Meetings with the same familiar shopping list: help for the starting rotation and another bat in the outfield. Any serious trade discussion around Chicago has to start with those needs, and the early speculation is already circling a few big names that would force Jed Hoyer to weigh upside against cost. Nathan Eovaldi, CJ Abrams and Spencer Strider each represent a different kind of swing, with varying levels of fit and risk for a club trying to stay competitive without emptying the cupboard.
Of the ideas being kicked around, the one tied to Strider is the kind of temptation that can quickly become a trap if the price climbs too high. Chicago can use impact, but it also has to be careful not to chase the loudest name simply because the rotation needs a jolt. The Cubs will have options to explore in the coming days, and the real challenge is figuring out which path actually improves the club without creating a bigger problem somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]