As rumors surround the Chicago Cubs as they head into the offseason after another disappointing exit in the postseason, the need for starting pitching is likely to be addressed. While the rumors will continue around the Cubs and which pitchers will be linked to them, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal gives his prediction for what Chicago is going to do this winter.

Speaking on “Foul Territory,” Rosenthal would say that the Cubs are going to be “active in the market” and that he expects that Chicago is going to “sign or acquire at least two starting pitchers.” Some of the pitchers available for the ball club, Rosenthal mentions Trevor Rogers, Freddy Peralta, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Michael King, and the one player that fans would probably want most, Tarik Skubal.

“The one good thing in their favor is that the market is fairly deep, not in great starters, but in starters,” Rosenthal said.

“So there are guys like Trevor Rogers out there, Freddy Peralta, of course, with the connection to [Craig] Counsel from before, he's out there,” Rosenthal continued. “[Kevin] Gausman and [Clay] Holmes, who they had before, Michael King, [Tarik] Skubal at the top of that list. I don't expect them to sign Skubal, but it's not as if they are looking in a market barren for the teams looking for offense. It's a real problem because there aren't that many great hitters, even good hitters, available. But for starting pitching, yeah, you'll have some options, some ways you can go.”

It's no secret that the Cubs need starting pitching…@Ken_Rosenthal believes they'll sign or acquire "at least two." pic.twitter.com/PXnJRmA3J7

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 3, 2026

Article Continues Below

At any rate, it remains to be seen who the Cubs pick up this offseason after finishing with an 89-73 record, which put them second in the NL Central, and were swept in the NL Wild Card round by the San Diego Padres.