The Kyle Tucker trade was a major move — the kind of bold decision this front office often hesitates to make. Even if Tucker departs next winter, his presence significantly boosts Chicago’s status in the wide-open NL Central.
However, aside from the Tucker trade, the Cubs’ offseason has been relatively quiet. Roki Sasaki, who was the dream target for many in the Chicago area, ultimately never seriously considered signing with the Cubs. While Chicago does have two strong top-of-the-rotation starters in Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, the lack of pitching depth remains a pressing issue — one that Hoyer has stubbornly neglected until now, when the available options are worryingly sparse.
It’s true that the Cubs need another reliable starter, but choosing the right one is crucial — not every addition is a step forward. Unfortunately, the pitcher Chicago is currently negotiating with fits the mold of a classic Jed Hoyer mistake — a move that Cardinals fans are sure to relish.
Cubs in negotiations with ex-Cardinals ace Lance Lynn on one-year contract
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Chicago Cubs have reportedly begun negotiations with veteran right-hander Lance Lynn on a one-year contract. While no deal appears to be imminent, there’s significant speculation given the Cubs’ well-known need to bolster their starting rotation. However, it’s somewhat surprising that Chicago is considering a guaranteed MLB deal for Lynn rather than a more flexible Minor League option, especially given his recent performance.
Lynn, 37, returned to the St. Louis Cardinals last season—where he previously enjoyed some of the best years of his career more than a decade ago. However, he’s been bouncing around the league recently, and his days as a borderline Cy Young contender are well behind him. Instead, Lynn has declined to the point where his ability to consistently compete at the MLB level is in question.
During his 23 starts for the Cardinals last season, Lynn recorded a 3.84 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 117.1 innings. While those numbers are respectable, they reflect a decline from his peak performance. His velocity hit a career low, and his underlying metrics were concerning, including an expected ERA (xERA) of 4.94—suggesting his actual results might have been flattered by strong defense and a bit of good fortune.
The Cubs are no strangers to the risks associated with signing past-their-prime veterans, having recently missed with Hector Neris in the bullpen. There’s a legitimate fear that Lynn could offer a similarly underwhelming return as a starter. When even Cardinals fans seem eager to face him repeatedly, it’s fair to question whether pursuing Lynn is the right move for Chicago.