"I've been impressed with how Justin Steele is just grinding through his rehab, one of the loneliest aspects of playing a team sport. As Evan Altman reported earlier this week, Steele is progressing ahead of schedule and could be back in the rotation by Opening Day. Assuming Shōta Imanaga returns despite his complicated option clause, the Cubs have a strong five-deep rotation with Steele, Imanaga, Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon."
"I don't want to pile on Imanaga because I believe he never fully healed from his hamstring issue. That said, he gave up a lot of home runs in 2025, which is particularly unsettling because Wrigley Field played as a pitcher's park. Worse, many of those blasts came at very unforgiving moments. With that in mind, you can make a strong case that Imanaga is the fifth starter among that bunch."
"The arms at the top of the alleged availability list are probably not in Jed Hoyer's wheelhouse. That means Freddy Peralta, Hunter Greene, Sonny Gray, and Tarik Skubal are unlikely to be traded to Chicago. I like Hoyer's chances of acquiring Joe Ryan, Edward Cabrera, Mitch Keller, or MacKenzie Gore because he has the prospect depth to be in play for each. Dylan Cease,"
Justin Steele is advancing through rehab and progressing ahead of schedule, potentially returning to the rotation by Opening Day. Assuming Shōta Imanaga returns despite a complicated option clause, the Cubs project a strong five-man rotation with Steele, Imanaga, Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon. Imanaga showed susceptibility to home runs in 2025 and may be the fifth starter if health concerns persist. Horton remains under team control at the league minimum through 2027, while Taillon and Boyd are entering contract years. The rotation is younger and less expensive, but the bullpen likely needs significant overhaul. Jed Hoyer could pursue mid-tier trade candidates such as Joe Ryan or MacKenzie Gore.
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