The messaging from the Cubs front office and their early moves suggest a clear shift in priorities:
• Willingness to Spend: The team is reportedly ready to spend “beyond their comfort zone” for pitching upgrades, signaled by the multi-year deal for relief pitcher Phil Maton, who is noted for his swing-and-miss ability.
• Need for Strikeouts (Swing-and-Miss): The consensus among analysts is that the Cubs’ rotation and staff in recent years have lacked a high-strikeout profile. Acquiring an arm that can consistently miss bats is viewed as essential for transforming the team from a contender to a championship threat, especially to prevent the heavy reliance on bullpen games seen in the playoffs.
• Current Rotation: Even with the return of Shota Imanaga (who accepted the qualifying offer), and the presence of Justin Steele (returning from injury) and Jameson Taillon, the rotation lacks a definitive, high-end, strikeout-focused ace.
🎯 The Pitching Candidates and Their Profiles
