Imagine the Chicago Cubs, a storied franchise with dreams of reclaiming their glory days, scrambling to patch up their pitching staff – and it's a situation that's got fans on edge and experts debating fiercely!
The unexpected move of Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old pitcher who was high on the Cubs' wishlist, signing a three-year deal with the Houston Astros has sent shockwaves through Wrigleyville. This agreement, packed with opt-out clauses that favor the player, simply didn't align with the Cubs' needs. For a team desperate for reliable long-term starters, the potential payoff just wasn't worth the gamble compared to the upside it offered Imai personally.
With Imai now off the board, the Cubs seem poised to explore more affordable options among free-agent pitchers who aren't household names. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, this doesn't mean they're chasing superstars like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez. Instead, Cubs president Jed Hoyer might revisit interest in Zac Gallen, who was rumored to be close to a deal back in December – only to find out he was busy tying the knot, which added a hilarious twist to the story.
But here's where it gets controversial... Gallen, a right-handed pitcher, just had his toughest season yet, posting a 4.83 earned run average (ERA) – a key stat that measures how many runs a pitcher allows per nine innings – over 192 innings. Yet, he's no flash in the pan; he's got three top-10 finishes in Cy Young Award voting, including a stellar 2022 campaign where he led the league with a 0.913 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), a metric that combines walks and hits to show efficiency. His 2023 was even more impressive, earning him an All-Star nod, a third-place Cy Young finish, and even some MVP buzz.
Gallen relies heavily on his fastball, throwing it over 40% of the time, but his changeup and knuckle curve are real weapons too. Signing him could be a reclamation project to slot him at the back of the rotation, which might not excite everyone given the Cubs' shortage of elite arms. Still, a budget-friendly contract could pay off if the team's pitching coaches see ways to tweak his game. And this is the part most people miss: Is it smarter to bet on a former top performer with recent struggles, or risk overpaying for unproven talent?
Feinsand also pointed to Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt, and Zack Littell as possible targets to strengthen the staff. These guys aren't elite, but they have intriguing angles if you look closely. Giolito bounced back from a UCL tear that sidelined him all of 2024, pitching 145 innings in 2025 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. For beginners, ERA shows runs allowed, and WHIP reveals control and damage potential. Yet, beneath the surface, his strikeout rate dipped to 19.7% – his lowest since 2018 – and his expected ERA (a stat predicting performance based on quality of contact) hit 4.99, worse than in recent years. His fastball velocity stayed steady at about 93 mph, matching current Cubs starters, but his trouble in inducing swings and misses raised red flags, especially with an average exit velocity against him at 90.3 mph, indicating hard-hit balls.
As for Bassitt, he might be the most appealing of the bunch. At 37 (turning in February), he logged 31 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays, finishing with a 3.96 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. He even pitched out of the bullpen in the postseason, proving his versatility. His hard-hit rate was in the top 20% of pitchers, and he kept exit velocities low at 87.7 mph. While his fastball dipped below 92 mph for the first time, he mixed in eight different pitches – a real variety pack. His 22.6% strikeout rate was a tad above his career average, and his low walk rate (another way of saying he doesn't give away free bases) has been a hallmark. Since 2019, he's delivered at least 2.0 wins above replacement (WAR) in every full season, showcasing his reliability – a WAR value that estimates a player's total contribution.
Littell, on the other hand, benefited from some good fortune last season, tossing 186.2 innings with a 3.81 ERA that outpaced his 4.88 fielding independent pitching (FIP) – which focuses on strikeouts, walks, and home runs to gauge true skill. Much of that luck came from a career-low batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .249, meaning balls he allowed in play didn't always turn into hits. His command is a standout, with a 4.2% walk rate ranking among baseball's best. However, he struggled to rack up strikeouts (just 17.1%) and surrendered 36 homers, plus plenty of hard contact.
Hoyer might also dip into the trade market, eyeing someone like Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, though that could demand a hefty package of prospects. As the Cubs hunt for rotation reinforcements, it's clear that mid-to-lower-tier options are the realistic path forward.
What do you think – is settling for these kinds of pitchers a pragmatic move or a sign of settling? Could the Cubs' front office pull off a reclamation miracle with someone like Gallen, or are they just postponing the inevitable need for top talent? Share your takes in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree or disagree!
