The Cubs spent the 2026 trade deadline loading up on arms, with Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes at the front of the line as Chicago tried to fortify its rotation. It didn’t carry over the way the team hoped in October, though, as the offense couldn’t keep up with the San Diego Padres.
Now the attention shifts to the offseason, and one familiar name is being pushed back onto the Cubs’ radar: David Peterson.
MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com says Chicago should give real thought to bringing Peterson back after acquiring the former Mets left-hander in a trade this season. His view is clear: the Cubs should not write him off after one full year.
"The Cubs should strongly consider bringing him back, and there are folks across the league who believe that Peterson's best days are still ahead of him," Murray writes.
Murray stops short of saying the Cubs should choose Peterson over Holmes if Holmes opts out, which is what most people expect. But he does argue that Peterson belongs in the discussion as Chicago sorts through its pitching plans.
On the surface, Peterson’s 2026 line does not jump off the page. He finished with a 4.79 ERA overall, a number that could easily make a team pause.
Yet the split tells a much better story. In 80.1 innings with the Cubs, he posted a 3.70 ERA, a sharp improvement over the 6.09 ERA he had with the Mets before the trade.
The second half is where Peterson really found another gear. After the All-Star break, he worked 66 innings across 13 games, went 5-1, struck out 67 batters and turned in a 2.73 ERA with a 3.57 FIP.
Chicago’s defense played a major role in that turnaround, helping Peterson settle in after the move. The Cubs would not be asking him to be the ace of the staff, but he could fit nicely as a fifth or sixth starter, or even as a long reliever.
There’s also the money angle. Peterson may not come with a hefty price tag, since his rough stretch with the Mets could have dented his market.
With the Cubs needing multiple pitching options for 2027, Peterson looks like the kind of arm that makes practical sense. Murray’s message is simple: at the very least, Chicago should strongly consider a new deal.
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