The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason with plenty of needs, but finding more starting pitching help was at the top of the list. There was a loaded group of free agent pitchers, and the Cubs wasted little time adding two arms to the club.
The lockout might be underway, but don’t expect the Cubs to be done adding pitchers this offseason. There are still plenty of options left, and Chicago has plenty of money to sign another.
Stro Show: New Ace In Town
The Chicago Cubs will enter the 2022 season with a new staff ace as Marcus Stroman agreed to a three year/$71 million deal. Stroman was a pitcher that several teams were trying to land, but he ultimately chose to sign with the Cubs.
Stroman might not be making the Opening Day start for David Ross next April, but there is no doubt he will be looked at as the leader of the pitching staff. Since signing with the Cubs, Stroman has spent plenty of time building up the team on social media.
Hendricks Needs To Bounce Back
Kyle Hendricks will likely make the Opening Day start in 2022, but he has a ton to prove next season. Hendricks struggled in 2021, but it’s hard to blame him for losing focus as the season fell apart.
If the Cubs are going to find a way to get back into the postseason, then Hendricks will have to set the tone in the rotation. The Cubs know what they will get from Hendricks most years, but he now has to go out and prove it to be a leader of this staff.
Kyle Hendricks is expected to earn the 2022 Opening Day start for the Chicago Cubs.
Miley Ready to Deliver
Claiming Wade Miley off of waivers was the first real offseason addition made by the front office, and it was a pretty slick one. Miley has never been one of the biggest names in baseball, but he has made a career out of getting people out and winning games.
The Cubs had plenty of experience with Miley last season as he was in the Central Division playing for the Cincinnati Reds. Miley is a clear number three starter at best, but he won’t walk people and can eat up some innings.
Two Spots Up For Grabs
There are technically two spots remaining in the Cubs starting rotation for 2022, but those spots could be gobbled up pretty quickly. Adbert Alzolay figures to claim one of those two spots, but some other youngsters will be in the mix as well.
If the Cubs make one more move once the lockout ends, that pitcher will slide into the rotation as well. The hope is that Carlos Rodon is that player as he would be exactly what the Cubs are looking for.
The Cubs can win with the three pitchers listed above, but they have to find some suitable arms to fill out the backend of the rotation.
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