The Chicago Cubs are at least making the right kind of noise about their pitching plans this offseason, but the early read still leaves a nagging question hanging over everything.
According to The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, the Cubs want to bring back both Clay Holmes and David Peterson. That part makes sense on its face.
Chicago has multiple openings in the rotation, and both pitchers fit the profile the Cubs seem to like: they keep the ball on the ground. Peterson, especially, looked like a strong fit after coming over in the in-season trade with the New York Mets.
Holmes’ time in Chicago wasn’t as smooth, but his recent success as a starting pitcher over the last two years gives the Cubs a legitimate reason to stay interested.
The issue isn’t the idea of either reunion. It’s what appears to be sitting behind it.
This week’s GM Meetings are the first time Jed Hoyer will speak with reporters since his end-of-season press conference, and the early message doesn’t exactly suggest the Cubs are preparing to swing big. Sharma’s reporting points to a team that will look around the pitching market, but not one that seems likely to jump into the chase for Tarik Skubal. He also poured cold water on possible pursuits of Michael King and Freddy Peralta.
Peralta’s case is tied to a drop in his swing-and-miss production over the past year. Skubal and King, meanwhile, are being framed through the lens of the contracts they’re expected to command this offseason. That context matters, and Sharma’s line says plenty: “Both are good fits and likely would come at a cost that would allow the Cubs to stay flexible.”
That’s where the concern starts to creep in. The Cubs have more than $100 million coming off the books this offseason, but the sense here is still that cost control is driving the process. That approach has not worked well for Chicago’s pitching staff, and it’s one of the reasons the club still hasn’t closed the gap to the Milwaukee Brewers.
If the Cubs are still building around “finding value” instead of chasing established results, they’re choosing a familiar path - and one that hasn’t gotten them where they want to go.
In Other News...
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
Ben Browns offseason took another turn when the Cubs right-hander underwent a procedure to address the recurring neck issue that cut short his 2024 season. The surgery pushes back the start of his throwing program, but the organization is treating it as a step toward getting him fully right rather than a setback that changes the long-term outlook.
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 🡒]