The Chicago Cubs face a crossroads in their pitching rotation after Shota Imanaga's unexpected entry into free agency. The Japanese left-handed pitcher, who dazzled fans in his 2024 rookie season with a 2.91 ERA and Cy Young votes, saw his value decline significantly following a 3.73 ERA campaign in 2025 marred by home run issues and injuries. The organization's decision to decline his three-year, $57 million option indicates they believe reinforcements are necessary rather than banking on redemption from their former All-Star.
With Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon offering stability in the rotation, the Cubs now must aggressively pursue premier starting pitching talent to solidify their rotation for a World Series run. The free agent market presents several compelling options that could transform the team's pitching fortunes.
Dylan Cease: The High-Ceiling Wild Card
Dylan Cease represents the most intriguing target despite his tumultuous 2025 season with the San Diego Padres. The 29-year-old right-hander finished with a 4.55 ERA across 168 innings and an 8-12 record, a stark departure from his otherworldly 2024 campaign when he posted a 3.47 ERA and finished fourth in Cy Young voting. However, the underlying metrics suggest his 2025 struggles may not define his true ability.
Cease's strikeout rate remained elite, registering a 29.8% K-rate among his highest marks in recent memory. His fastball continues to dominate radar guns, sitting above 97 mph and ranking seventh in average velocity among MLB starters. What makes Cease attractive for the Cubs is his durability—he's completed four straight seasons without missing a single start, placing him among baseball's most reliable workhorse-type arms.
The financial projection for Cease centers around $200-225 million over five-to-six years, making him expensive but potentially worth the investment if the Cubs view his 2025 campaign as an anomaly rather than a trend. His stuff remains ace-caliber, and a change of scenery could reignite the form that nearly won him a Cy Young Award just one season ago.
Framber Valdez: The Steady Presence
Framber Valdez emerges as the safest and most consistent option for a Cubs rotation desperate for stability. The 32-year-old Houston Astros left-hander enters free agency off his sixth consecutive season with a sub-4.00 ERA, posting a 3.66 ERA across 192 innings in 2025 with 187 strikeouts. His durability is remarkable—Valdez hasn't required an injured list stint in four years, an increasingly rare feat in modern baseball.
Framber Valdez would be such a good pick up for the cubs
With his elite Groundball rate with one of the best defenses in baseball would go so fucking hard
but him being a “Cancer” in the clubhouse doesnt get my hopes up with jed going for him
— Mitch Santini (@mitch_santini) November 7, 2025
What separates Valdez from his peers is his elite ground-ball rate, generating weak contact at a 51% clip since 2022 that translates to fewer home runs and lower-leverage situations. While his fastball sits in the 95-96 mph range, it's hardly a soft-tossing pitcher's profile; rather, Valdez generates outs through command and movement rather than pure velocity. The Cubs would receive a proven performer capable of eating innings and limiting damage in high-leverage situations.
Valdez's market value projects to approximately five years and $115-120 million, making him well within the Cubs' budget and timeline. For a rotation seeking dependability, Valdez represents the ideal #2 starter who won't dazzle but won't disappoint.
Ranger Suárez: The Overlooked Star
Ranger Suárez may be the most underrated option on this year's free agent pitcher market. The 30-year-old Philadelphia Phillies left-hander posted a career-best 3.20 ERA across 157⅓ innings in 2025, earning All-Star recognition in 2024 despite being surprisingly snubbed from this year's Midsummer Classic. His performance metrics suggest that oversight was unwarranted.
In a recent article, four @mlbtraderumors writers voted on where they think top free agents will land.
Two of the four predicted the to Cubs land Ranger Suárez.
In 2025:
157.1 IP | 3.20 ERA | 1.22 WHIP | 151 KProjected Contract: 5 years, $115 million
pic.twitter.com/osW7maOTRe— The Wrigley Wire (@TheWrigleyWire) November 7, 2025
Suárez's 2025 campaign showcased exceptional control with only a 5.8% walk rate paired with a respectable 23.2% strikeout rate. His ability to generate ground balls at elite rates (51% clip over recent seasons) produces contact management and durability that fits perfectly into a competitive rotation. Like Valdez, Suárez represents a #2-type arm capable of providing consistent, quality innings.
The Atlantic projects Suárez will command a six-year, $153 million contract, positioning him as a value play compared to Cease. Suárez has never thrown more than 160 innings in a season, raising some durability questions despite his recent health, but his production warrants serious consideration from a Cubs organization seeking proven veteran presence.
The Cubs must act decisively in the free agent market to compensate for Imanaga's departure. Whether they pursue Cease's upside, Valdez's consistency, or Suárez's balance of performance and value, immediate action is essential for maintaining competitiveness in 2026.
