This offseason will be crucial for the Chicago Cubs as they retool for Craig Counsell’s second year as manager. Could they make two upgrades to their rotation by signing Max Fried and Nathan Eovaldi via free agency?

Although Chicago’s starting rotation was tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the fifth-best ERA in baseball (3.77) in 2024, that doesn’t mean the group can’t take things to another level. This area of Counsell’s roster is in strong shape, led by Shōta Imanaga, Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon. Young hurlers Javier Assad and Ben Brown make up the back of the starting staff, per FanGraphs’ Roster Resource.

The weak link in Chicago’s 2024 rotation was veteran Kyle Hendricks. He went 4-12 with a 5.92 ERA in 130.2 innings pitched. He just signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, so the 2016 World Series champion is no longer in the mix.

PGH Baseball Now’s Danny Demilio shared predictions on landing spots for MLB‘s top 50 free agents. He thinks both Fried and Eovaldi will head to the Windy City to play for the Cubs.

Fried went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings in 2024. MLB Trade Rumors is projecting a six-year, $156 million deal for the southpaw. Eovaldi went 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 170 2/3 frames this year. He’s projected to sign a two-year, $44 million deal.

The Cubs’ offseason is already looking drastically different than originally expected because outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger opted into his $27.5 million salary for 2025. So, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer must get creative to improve his roster. If he lands Fried and Eovaldi, that could make Taillon an offseason trade candidate as a way to upgrade the offense.

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