The Chicago Cubs faced significant challenges in their starting rotation during the 2025 season, compounded by the early loss of Justin Steele to Tommy John surgery and a disappointing performance from Shota Imanaga in the latter half of the year. Without the emergence of rookie standout Cade Horton, who revitalized the club’s pitching staff after the trade deadline, the Cubs may have found themselves outside the playoff picture.
This offseason, the Cubs’ management is making a pointed effort to address their pitching depth. They secured Imanaga by finalizing a one-year $22.025 million qualifying offer, banking on his past success prior to his second-half slump. However, with Steele expected to be sidelined at the start of the season, there’s a clear need for an additional reliable arm in the rotation.
Zachary Rymer, in a recent article for Bleacher Report, identified Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres as an ideal target for the Cubs. Cease has a remarkable ability to generate strikeouts, leading all qualified starters with an 11.5 K/9 ratio this past season. In contrast, the Cubs’ starters ranked 23rd in the league for rWAR and struggled with a low strikeout rate, typically averaging 7.5 K/9, which placed them at 27th in Major League Baseball.
Previously drafted by the Cubs in 2016, Cease spent the majority of his career with the Chicago White Sox before moving to the Padres. Since his MLB debut in 2019, he has maintained a strong record, accumulating over 214 strikeouts each season. Despite facing challenges, including playing behind one of the league’s weakest defenses, he has managed a respectable average of 4.03 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with the Padres.
While both Boyd and Imanaga have shown they can post ERAs under 4.00, their performance has been inconsistent, raising concerns following a subdued playoff showing. As the Cubs aim to fortify their rotation and avoid the setbacks of the past season, the pursuit of a strikeout pitcher like Cease could significantly enhance their prospects heading into 2026.
Adding Cease to the mix would not only provide critical depth but also deliver a player with proven strikeout prowess that the Cubs desperately need. The Cubs’ front office appears committed to making strategic signings that will bolster their lineup and improve their chances for success in the upcoming season.