The Chicago Cubs have found their potential ace of the future in the NL Rookie of the Year candidate, Cade Horton. However, aside from Horton, the Cubs' rotation is dominated by lefties like Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Justin Steele when he returns from injury.
A top target on the Cubs' free agent wishlist should include another right-handed starter who can help balance out the starting rotation.
One potential option may be Cincinnati Reds starter Nick Martinez.
Should the Cubs go after Nick Martinez?
Nick Martinez is set to be a free agent following the season, and although his season has featured many ups and downs, he could be a quality candidate for the Cubs to sign in free agency for a low cost.
Martinez spent four years away from Major League Baseball and played in Japan to refine his pitching skills, but it has worked for him since returning to the United States.
In two seasons with the Reds, he has posted a 3.87 ERA in 305 innings. He's made 26 starts this season, flirted with throwing a no-hitter earlier this summer, but has a 4.54 ERA this season.
The Reds signed him to a one-year, $21 million deal this offseason, but they're likely not to resign him after this season because of the struggles and other quality arms the Reds' rotation features.
For the Cubs, taking a flyer on Martinez makes perfect sense, and Chicago would even take a low-4.00 ERA from the 35-year-old starter. However, Chicago would have to be careful with a potential contract, and bringing him on another one-year deal would be the most likely option.
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