The Chicago Cubs have plenty of winter business to handle, but one name stands out as a sensible fit: Clay Holmes. A return to Chicago would make sense for a rotation that needs help in multiple spots, and the price tag projected for him is lower than you might expect.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has Holmes landing a two-year deal worth about $44 million. For a pitcher with Holmes’ track record, that number comes off as a bargain.
Chicago should jump on that kind of deal if it can. Holmes missed roughly half of last season because of a leg injury, but the way it happened matters: it was a freak accident after a line drive hit him in mid-May.
That’s a lot easier to shrug off than an elbow problem.
When he was on the mound, Holmes still delivered. He logged a 3.29 ERA in 18 starts, and his sinker helped him keep the ball on the ground at an elite 60.8 percent clip.
That kind of contact profile fits neatly with the Cubs’ Gold Glove-caliber defense. If the health holds, this looks like the kind of move that could pay off fast.
And Chicago has plenty of reasons to look for stability. The rotation picture is full of uncertainty.
It’s not clear whether Ben Brown will be ready, or even able, to return to the starting mix next year. Edward Cabrera was moved to the bullpen in 2026 because of poor performance and ongoing blister trouble.
Javier Assad and Braxton Garrett haven’t been full-time starters for several seasons. Cade Horton likely won’t be back from UCL surgery until the end of 2027, if he pitches at all next year.
Justin Steele is healthy, but his return remains a wild-card after so much time away from the rotation.
That’s a lot of variables for one staff to absorb, which is why the Cubs need arms that can soak up innings and steady things quickly. Holmes will be 34, but aside from last season he has generally been durable. The injury he suffered feels like the kind of fluke any pitcher can endure after taking a come-backer at the wrong time.
Of course, this is still just a projection, and Holmes could land more money or more years elsewhere. Even so, the expectation here is that he won’t top a four-year deal this winter. If that’s where the market settles, the Cubs should be ready to pounce.
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