CHICAGO
After a gut-wrenching NLDS loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs are wasting no time reloading for 2026 — and this time, the focus is clear: pitching depth.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, Chicago could make a major move this offseason by pursuing Michael King, the former San Diego Padres ace and 2024 Cy Young candidate.
Why King Fits Chicago’s Needs
On paper, the Cubs’ 2025 pitching looked solid — a 3.83 team ERA — but those numbers masked inconsistency behind the top arms. Manager Craig Counsell’s rotation battled injuries and fatigue throughout the second half, leaving the team exposed in October.
King could be the fix.
Despite battling injuries in 2025, the 29-year-old right-hander still managed a 3.44 ERA, 76 strikeouts, and a 5–3 record in just 15 starts. The season before, he was among baseball’s elite, posting a 2.95 ERA, 13–9 record, and 201 strikeouts, earning National League Cy Young consideration.
If healthy, King represents exactly what Chicago needs — a durable, strikeout-heavy arm capable of anchoring a playoff rotation.
A Potential 1–2 Punch with Imanaga
The Cubs already have a promising front-line starter in Shota Imanaga, whose rookie season proved he can thrive under pressure. Pairing him with King would give the Cubs one of the most balanced left-right duos in the National League.
Veteran Matthew Boyd adds stability to the back end, while young arms like Cade Horton continue to develop. Together, that mix could elevate Chicago’s rotation to rival Milwaukee’s — and perhaps surpass it.
A Move That Signals Contention
While the Cubs could also explore splashier options like Dylan Cease or Framber Valdez, Rymer notes that King’s combination of performance, control, and competitiveness may make him the most realistic and impactful fit.
If President Jed Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins pull off the deal, it would be a statement — a declaration that the Cubs aren’t just aiming for another playoff berth, but a sustained run at the NL pennant.
For a franchise still riding the momentum of its 2025 postseason return, Michael King could be the missing link — the final piece to transform a good rotation into a championship-caliber one.
As one rival scout told The Athletic,
“If the Cubs land King, that division runs through Wrigley.”
Now, all eyes turn to the front office. Can Chicago make the move that reshapes its pitching future?
