MLB Trade Rumors Predicts Cubs Will Spend on Pitching This Winter
MLB Trade Rumors recently released their 2025 Free Agent Predictions, in which four of their writers rank the top 50 free agents, along with contract predictions and landing spots. The Cubs were featured nine times, with all but one of the players mentioned being a pitcher.
MLB Trade Rumors released their Top 50 Free Agent predictions today. Here’s who they sent to the Chicago Cubs
SP Framber Valdez (5yr/$150M, 1 vote)
SP Tatsuya Imai (6 yr/$150M, 1 vote)
SP Ranger Suarez (5 yr/$115M, 2 votes)
SP Brandon Woodruff (3 yr/$66M, 1 vote)
3B/1B Kazuma…— Jacob Zanolla (@jacobzanolla) November 7, 2025
We’ll break down some of the players separately at a later date, but there are several interesting things to note about who they selected and the lack of hitters named. There’s a consensus notion that the Cubs are going to target a front-line starting pitcher, with MLBTR mentioning Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, and Ranger Suarez as options for Jed Hoyer this winter. Also linked as possibilities for the rotation were longtime division rivals Brandon Woodruff and Tyler Mahle.
The most intriguing option for the rotation is Japanese righty Tatsuya Imai, who should be posted soon. He’s got a big fastball and a “wrong-way” slider, plus he won’t turn 28 until May. That combination could drive his price tag north of $150 million.
With Shōta Imanaga‘s future still uncertain, the Cubs are going to have to explore several options. Even if he opts to accept the qualifying offer, the team will need both depth and security for the future. As always seems to be the case, money will certainly be an issue when it comes to signing one of these top arms. While the Cubs can afford it, it’s harder to imagine them actually spending on upper-level talent.
That includes the bullpen, which will need to be reloaded following several potential free-agent defections. At least one MLBTR writer named Luke Weaver, Seranthonty Dominguez, and Pete Fairbanks as Cubs targets, though all carried $9 million AAV predictions.
The only hitter linked to the Cubs in these rankings was Kazuma Okamoto, a corner infielder from Japan who could provide a little pop. He doesn’t seem like an ideal fit because his defense doesn’t grade out particularly well and the Cubs might not be able to give him regular time at either corner, but some of that depends on their other moves this winter.
Focusing on pitching throughout the offseason definitely seems like the wise choice. The Cubs’ farm system isn’t very deep, but they could still move some of their top prospects for a bat or arm if needed. And no, that doesn’t mean they should trade for Tarik Skubal, although it would be fun.
