Update on Remaining Offseason Cubs Plans is Concerning

After the Cubs traded Cody Bellinger to the Yankees back in December fans were led to believe the team would continue to be aggressive, looking to upgrade the roster heading into the 2025 season. The thinking was the Cubs would utilize the left over money from Bellinger's deal, minus the $5 million sent to the Yankees, to fill in other needs. That supposedly included another starting pitcher, a high-upside arm for the rotation and unfortunately the latest update on the remaining offseason Cubs plans leaves a lot to be desired.

The Cubs did sign veteran right-hander Colin Rea, agreeing to a one-year deal that guarantees him $5 million. The contract includes an option for 2026 worth $6 million. Not exactly an impact signing as Rea projects as a decent depth option on the pitching staff, adding a back-end of the rotation pitcher rather than a bonafide difference-maker.

If you look at the current starting rotation for the Cubs it looks solid, but that big acquisition would still be welcomed.

Cubs Projected 2025 Starting Rotation
Justin Steele
Shōta Imanaga
Jameson Taillon
Matthew Boyd
Colin Rea/Javier Assad/Jordan Wicks/Ben Brown

Jack Flaherty has been linked to the Cubs in free agent rumors and the team has also explored trades for a starting pitcher, most publicly being for lefty Jesús Luzardo. The former Marlins pitcher was eventually traded to the Phillies. Maybe the Cubs are still trying to work out a trade for Dylan Cease or Pablo Lopez?

Yeah, doesn't really sound like the Cubs are focused on adding to the rotation anymore.

Jed Hoyer was on the Cubs REKAP Podcast with David Kaplan and Gordon Wittenmyer this week and when asked what's left on the team's to-do list, starting pitching was not a priority.

Via the Cubs REKAP Podcast.

“Mostly focused right now on bench and bullpen. Just trying to supplement the roster as much as we can. I feel good about our team but I definitely think there are obviously ways to improve, and we’ll just keep on looking at the free agent market and the trade market and see if we can do that.”

I never thought the Alex Bregman rumors were true, so it's not like I was expecting another big bat. However, by all accounts the Cubs were trying to land another impact starting pitcher and well that no longer seems to be the case.

Who knows, maybe something does fall into the Cubs' lap, but I'm not counting on it anymore.

So much talk about getting a big-time starter and it looks like all the Cubs are going to do this offseason in that regard is sign Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea. Cool.

Well, hopefully the Cubs actually sign or trade for a high-leverage reliever because that seems to be the biggest impact acquisition that's left on the board for them to accomplish.

It also appears that the Cubs will end up having a lower payroll in 2025 compared to the 2024 season. Excellent.