Should the Chicago Cubs explore a reunion with this controversial former Cub?

The Chicago Cubs are focused on pitching this winter. They’ve already demonstrated this priority in their first two major moves this offseason– settling up with pitcher Shota Imanaga and signing veteran free agent reliever Phil Maton to a two-year deal.

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But there’s much more work to be done if the front office is to turn a pitching staff that, at times last season, seemed to be held together by little more than gumption, hopes, and prayers.

Chicago Cubs’ pitching needs

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For one, the bullpen needs an almost full rebuild as relief anchors Bard Keller, Caleb Thielbar, and Drew Pomeranz drift off into free agency, joining Michael Soroka, Ryan Brasier, Taylor Rogers, and Aaron Civale as outgoing Cubs, along with the recently non-tendered Eli Morgan and the traded Andrew Kittredge.

Meanwhile, the starting rotation, which looks more secure (on paper) with Imanaga coming back for at least one year at the $22 million qualifying offer amount, still has some depth issues. Well-informed rumors abound that the Cubs are in the market for a front-of-rotation arm, fearing regression from Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, as well as possible struggles from Justin Steele as he looks to make his comeback from elbow surgery.

Names such as Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, and Michael King have been tossed about as possible free agent targets. But it still stretches the imagination that the frugal Cubs ownership would entirely buck their operating (spending) philosophy and spend monstrous money for a multi-year commitment to an elite-level pitcher.

A 2026 reunion with former ace?

It would be much more reasonable to assume that the front office would go about their usual strategy of pursuing budget arms and reclamation projects. If that’s still the case for 2026, at least partially, the Cubs might want to possibly kick the tires on their former ace Marcus Stroman.

The eleven-year veteran was released by the New York Yankees at the trade deadline last year after a disastrous season that saw him frustrate and tick off management with poor performance and a stubborn refusal to pitch out of the bullpen. Suffering through injury and inconsistency, Stroman finished 2025 with a 6.23 ERA in only 39 innings in the last year of his two-year, $37 million contract with New York.

The 34-year-old is looking to make a comeback in 2026 and, after so much high-profile acrimony last season, he should come at a steep discount. All of that aligns perfectly with the Cubs, who love bargains and have excelled at facilitating the rehabilitation of fringe major league pitchers.

Is Stroman still a good fit?

Pitching for the Cubs in 2022 and 2023, Stroman delivered a 3.73 ERA over 275.1 innings and impressed with his ground ball-based game. Despite recent struggles, he’s still essentially the same type of pitcher, boasting a ground ball rate near 50% and an ability to induce weak contact. He would benefit greatly from the Cubs’ infield defense, which boasts two multiple Gold Glove winners (shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Nico Hoerner) as well as two Gold Glove-capable defenders (first baseman Michael Busch and third baseman Matt Shaw).

Exploring the acquisition of Stroman, however, would probably hinge on his willingness to work out of the bullpen, as he’d likely serve as long relief and as a spot starter/swing man.

At the very least, though, Stroman would add some real depth to the back-end of the rotation and to a bullpen that needs veteran presence. A one-year deal is certainly worth exploring. And, needless to say, the Cubs would still need to address their front-of-rotation strength.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-free-agent-target-marcus-stroman