Cubs seek pitching upgrades in Las Vegas

Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer arrived in Las Vegas for this week's general manager meetings with a clear mandate: rebuild the pitching staff. Hoyer identified the rotation as the team's top priority during his end-of-season press conference, a stance that has gained urgency following the Milwaukee Brewers' recent World Series victory. The Brewers posted the best record in Major League Baseball for the past two seasons, raising the standard for competing in the National League Central Division.

Hoyer noted that the Brewers' pitching staff has been exceptionally good, particularly in the playoffs. Milwaukee's bullpen recorded a 1.38 ERA over 65 postseason innings, featuring Jacob Misiorowski and other high-leverage arms. In contrast, the Cubs finished 14 games behind the division leader in the 2026 standings. All five starters from the previous season are now free agents, and internal candidates are recovering from major injuries. Hoyer also acknowledged that the bullpen requires a significant overhaul after he critiqued the 2026 relief corps.

Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is the most prominent free-agent pitcher on the market this winter. The Dodgers acquired Skubal at last year's trade deadline in an attempt to win a third consecutive title, but the Brewers swept them in the National League Championship Series. While the Cubs have been linked to a potential pursuit of Skubal, the price tag is expected to be substantial. The team has historically avoided massive free-agent contracts, though last winter's $175 million deal for Alex Bregman signaled a willingness to spend on proven talent.

Bregman had a strong 2026 season, earning a Gold Glove Award and emerging as the team's second-best hitter after a slow start. He expressed the organization's desire to compete at the highest level, stating that he watched the World Series and wanted to be the one winning the final game. Hoyer is looking for pitchers who induce ground balls and strikeouts to support the Cubs' strong defense, a strategy he attempted with mid-season acquisitions Clay Holmes and Kevin Gausman last year. The Cubs were eliminated after just two playoff games in that campaign.

A reunion with Holmes could offer a cost-effective way to strengthen the staff while preserving budget for other needs. However, the question remains whether betting on a high-priced veteran like Skubal is the right move given the depth of pitching deficiencies. The Brewers' performance has set a new benchmark for the division, and Hoyer and his staff must determine how to close the gap before the next season begins. The offseason is currently active, though a lockout is expected to pause transactions at the start of next month.