Despite a strong pitching corps, Chicago aggressively pursues another starter, with Zac Gallen emerging as a key target before Opening Day.
With just 14 days until the Chicago Cubs will have their pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, the Cubs are still looking to add more pitching to their team ahead of the 2026 season.
More specifically, the North Siders are in the market to add another starting pitcher.
Despite trading for Edward Cabrera and eventually getting Justin Steele back from injury, the front office appears to be interested in adding one more starting pitcher to the group before Opening Day.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Cubs are one of a handful of teams that are “seriously considering pitchers” at this point in the offseason. It seems Chicago could land one of the remaining free agent pitchers over the next few weeks.
The one pitcher that likely appeals to the Cubs the most is former Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen, who the team has been linked to since the Winter Meetings.
Although Gallen is coming off his worst season in the Majors (4.83 ERA across 192 innings), his prior success is what likely draws the Cubs toward him. He has finished top-5 in National League Cy Young voting twice before and ranks third in innings pitched since 2022.
President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has also always been a big proponent of never having too many arms. Adding Gallen would just give the Cubs another option that they could go with throughout the season.
And it appears like it’s a real possibility that Gallen could wind up signing with Chicago.
“There are teams definitely talking hot and heavy with Gallen at this point,” Heyman said. “The Cubs have been linked to him for months. That’s another possibility.”
It is a bit surprising that the Cubs continue to be linked to Gallen. Starting pitching isn’t really a need for this team heading into Spring Training, and there isn’t anywhere for him in Chicago’s rotation.
With Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, and Cabrera beginning the season as the team's starters, the Cubs don't necessarily need Gallen. Justin Steele will then eventually return from his elbow injury at some point in the first half.
Therefore, it’s hard to imagine the front office going out and giving Gallen $15+ million in free agency. The team has enough pitchers to get by and is well-positioned to get through a 162-game season.
Even if some injuries arise, the Cubs have Colin Rea and Javier Assad as solid backup options. Rea had a 3.95 ERA across 159 ⅓ innings pitched last year, and Assad finished with a 3.65 ERA in seven starts last season.
While acquiring Gallen would no doubt make the Cubs a better all-around team, it’s hard to imagine the team actually doing it. Chicago is already deep at starting pitcher entering the year.