The Chicago Cubs are in a position to make the postseason, but they will need to make some additions to the starting rotation if they want to win the division and make a deep run.
The Cubs' starting rotation is without Justin Steele after season-ending elbow surgery. Shōta Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have been great, but after them, the Cubs need more consistency.
There should be some starting pitchers that can help the Cubs available on the trade block. However, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer tabbed the Cubs as the best fit for Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres. Cease has reportedly emerged as a candidate to be traded by Thursday.
"They are the best fit for him on at least one basis, which concerns the rate at which their starters strike batters out," wrote Rymer. "It's not great, as their rotation's 20.3 strikeout percentage is the lowest of any projected playoff team. Through thick and thin, strikeouts are Cease's bread and butter. He has fanned at least 10 batters per nine innings in each of the last five seasons, mainly by way of a slider that is among the top pitches in the game."
Cease is not having his best season, but he is one of the best pitchers in the league. He has a 4.59 ERA this season, but he finished second in the American League Cy Young Award race in 2022 and fourth in the National League Cy Young Award race last year.
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Since 2022, he has a 3.61 ERA and 809 strikeouts. With Boyd and Imanaga, Cease could slot in as the No. 3 starter for the Cubs. Perhaps a change of scenery before free agency could help him get back on track as well.
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