The Kyle Tucker trade marked a bold, uncharacteristic move for the Cubs’ front office, which has often been hesitant to take big swings. Even if Tucker departs in free agency next winter, his presence elevates Chicago’s standing in the wide-open NL Central race.
However, beyond the Tucker acquisition, the Cubs’ offseason activity has been relatively minimal. Their dream target, Roki Sasaki, never seriously considered Chicago, leaving them with Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga as their only top-tier starting pitchers. Depth in the rotation remains a glaring concern, one that Jed Hoyer has failed to address until now—when the market has thinned significantly.
The Cubs desperately need another reliable starter, but choosing wisely is crucial—not every signing is an upgrade. Unfortunately, the pitcher they are currently negotiating with fits the mold of a classic Jed Hoyer misstep—a move that Cardinals fans would likely enjoy watching unfold.
Cubs in Talks with Former Cardinals Ace Lance Lynn
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Chicago Cubs have entered negotiations with veteran right-hander Lance Lynn on a one-year contract. While a deal is not yet finalized, Chicago’s well-known need for rotation help has fueled speculation.
However, it’s somewhat surprising that the Cubs are considering offering Lynn a guaranteed MLB contract rather than a lower-risk minor league deal, given his recent struggles.
Now 37 years old, Lynn returned to the St. Louis Cardinals last season, where he had once thrived over a decade ago. But his best years are far behind him, and his recent performance raises concerns about his ability to remain effective at the MLB level.
In 23 starts with the Cardinals last season, Lynn posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 117.1 innings—numbers that, while serviceable, indicate a steady decline. His velocity hit a career low, and underlying metrics painted a worrisome picture. His expected ERA (xERA) of 4.94 suggests that his actual performance was likely aided by strong defense and some good luck.
The Cubs have a history of taking risks on aging veterans, with recent bullpen signing Hector Neris serving as a cautionary tale. There is a legitimate fear that Lynn could provide similarly disappointing results, especially given that even Cardinals fans seem eager for their team to face him regularly. If Chicago proceeds with this signing, it’s fair to question whether it’s truly the right move to shore up their rotation.
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