The Cubs face one of their more consequential offseasons in years. They need to replace Kyle Tucker’s superstar production and find a new ace after losing Shota Imanaga. But there might be a solution that addresses both needs.
FanSided’s Christopher Kline floated an intriguing possibility: Jacob deGrom. The two-time Cy Young winner and five-time All-Star could step right into that ace role while bringing the kind of star power that helps offset Tucker’s departure.
“Jed Hoyer tends to circumvent the top of the market when he can, but the Chicago Cubs have expressed their desire to focus on front-line pitching to supplement Matthew Boyd and Justin Steele as the latter returns from injury,” Kline wrote. “deGrom’s contract is brief, if pricey, but Chicago has the resources. It’s a simple question of whether or not ownership has the gumption and the desire to win.”
“If so, deGrom would be a welcomed answer to the prayers of a desperate fanbase, giving the Cubs the 1A they so desperately need.”
The numbers back up the idea. DeGrom posted a 12-8 record with a 2.97 ERA last season, striking out 185 batters while maintaining a 0.921 WHIP over 172 innings. Those aren’t the video game numbers we saw during his peak Mets years, but they represent exactly what Chicago needs.
What makes this even more appealing is the mentorship angle. Cade Horton is the Cubs’ pitching prospect with the highest ceiling, and having a two-time Cy Young winner guide his development could be invaluable. There’s something to be said for learning from someone who’s been at the very top of the profession.
The Cubs have made it clear they’re prioritizing front-line pitching this winter. DeGrom would instantly become their ace and give them arguably the best rotation in the NL Central when healthy. The question isn’t whether he’d help – it’s whether ownership is willing to pay for that kind of impact.
From where I’m sitting, it’s the type of move that could shift the entire trajectory of their season. Chicago has the resources and the need. Now they need to decide if they’re ready to make that kind of commitment.
