Chicago Cubs Want To "Build More Pitching Depth At the Top of the Rotation"

[Matthew Lenz]

If we follow the rumor trail, it seems as though the Chicago Cubs are going to be big players in free agency this offseason. They currently have a qualifying offer out to Shota Imanaga worth more than $22 million, though it's believed he will decline it. Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma are reporting the Cubs' interest in additional big names.

They're reporting that the Cubs want to "build more pitching depth, both at the top of the rotation and throughout the organization," and specifically go on to name Michael King and Dylan Cease as potential targets.

King had a bit of a lost season in 2025 due to injury. However, in 2024, he threw 173 1/3 innings in his first full year as a starter. In that season, he posted an impressive 3.33 FIP and a 19.0% K-BB rate. That's why MLBTR predicts he'll earn a four-year, $80 million contract in free agency this year. It will be up to King if he wants the extra couple of million over long-term security he'll receive by becoming a free agent.

Cease, who is a free agent, has been a modern-day iron man, making 32 starts in five consecutive seasons. His productivity has alternated each season he's been with the club, receiving Cy Young votes in 2022 and 2024 while sporting ERAs north of 4.00 in 2023 and 2025. About to enter his age-30 season, MLBTR predicts Cease will get a seven-year, $189 million contract via free agency. Given the security and an extra $5 million in 2026, it's hard to imagine Cease will accept the qualifying offer.

As a reminder, a team receives compensatory draft picks if its free agent rejects the qualifying offer and signs with a new club. Conversely, the team making the signing must forfeit draft picks, with the exact picks exchanged depending on the financial status of both organizations (e.g., whether they pay the Competitive Balance Tax or receive revenue sharing).

Which pitcher should the Cubs prioritize? Let us know in the comments!

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[mk49]

For free agents, I would say (I think it'll be easier to find one through a trade.)

1. Tatsuya Imai
2. Framber Valdez
3. Dylan Cease
4. Michael King
5.  Ranger Suarez

My concerns are like this.

- Michael King: In September, Shota gave up 5 HR's (10.2 innings) in two games against the Mets and the Reds.  In the same month, against the same teams, King gave up 6 HR's (only 8 innings).  Both Mets and Reds were under the "must win" situation.  I like King, and I think he would be great, if he stays healthy.  But, I just don't get why he gave up more HR's than Shota against those two teams, two starts in a row for both guys.  Maybe, he just came back from injury?  BTW, something must have happened to Shota right before the White Sox game.  His ERA was 2.40,, before the game.  He never pitched well, after that game.

- Dylan Cease: Yes, he pitched many games in the last 5 years or so.  Maybe, it's about time for him to get injured, or slow down?  He was good, but not great in 2025.  He walks quite a bit, so he doesn't pitch many innings, when you consider how many games he started.  What would happen, when his velocity goes down?  I've heard he's looking for 5 ~7 years, and I think that's quite long.  My guess is the Cubs won't offer him more than 5yrs.  Then, a few other team offer him something like 6yr, $180m, which to me is a gamble.  I don't know.  Only time can tell.

- Tatsuya Imai:  This is the guy I want.  He has never pitched in the MLB, but based on what Shota, Yamamoto  and many other Japanese SP's like Darvish, Nomo, Senga.... did in their first season in the MLB, Imai could be a good pick.

- Framber Valdez:  I think he will fit the Cubs well.  His personality is questionable, though.

- Ranger Suarez:  I kind of like him, but he's another 91mph lefty, 

- Brandon Woodruff:  I don't know about this guy.  He's great, when he pitches, but I feel like he's on IL half the time.  He's getting older, too.  If he's cheap, it'd be worth taking a chance, like Boyd.

I don't think it's easy to a good SP, especially, when Ricketts acts like Ricketts.  

Edited November 17, 2025 by mk49

[Stratos]

On 11/17/2025 at 12:34 AM, mk49 said:

For free agents, I would say (I think it'll be easier to find one through a trade.)

1. Tatsuya Imai
2. Framber Valdez
3. Dylan Cease
4. Michael King
5.  Ranger Suarez

I personally wouldn't put Imai amongst those pitchers.  He seems like an above-average SP but not a TOR, and there's no certainly he's even above-average.  I'm hoping the Cubs do better.  They'd likely get a solid deal on Imai because of the unknowns involved, similar to Shota and Seiya, but they need to go out and get quality not a dice-roll.  Him being just "average" would leave them with about an average rotation again, which isn't acceptable for a contending top-3 market team.