The Chicago Cubs have some major holes to fill ahead of the 2026 season. Potentially replacing Kyle Tucker, the top hitter in the free agent market, will be a daunting task for the team. After all, the star outfielder either ranked first or second on the team in OBP, OPS, and runs during 2025. Tucker is being heavily linked with a move away from Wrigley Field.
The Cubs are also likely to lose Shota Imanaga. The starting pitcher is expected to reject Chicago’s pending one-year qualifying offer. Instead, Imanaga will be looking for a multi-year contract, whether that is from the Cubs or another team. Chicago execs, however, may not want to tie up too much long-term money in the pitcher.
Bleacher Report is now predicting that the Cubs will turn to soon-to-be former Houston Astros star Framber Valdez to replace Imanaga. Valdez is the consensus top starting pitcher in the free agent market. The news outlet estimates an agreement between the Cubs and Valdez could be a four-year, $114 million deal. A potential fit would make sense as both Imanaga and Valdez are lefties.
Framber Valdez has Been Linked with Chicago Cubs Before
GettyFramber Valdez is widely viewed as the top starting pitcher in free agency.
Bleacher Report does not seem to be just taking a shot in the dark. Although Valdez’s future is still up in the air, CBS Sports reporter Mike Axisa also recently linked him with the Cubs. The journalist envisioned on November 11 that Chicago would eventually land Valdez later in the winter.
“I’ll put [Valdez] down for the Cubs, who walked away from Shota Imanaga and have a pretty big hole in the rotation with Justin Steele still rehabbing from elbow surgery,” wrote Axisa. “I think Valdez is the free agent most likely to sign with a Mystery Team in January or February.”
Along with Valdez, Dylan Cease has also been linked with a move to the North Side of Chicago. Outside of journalistic reports, rumors connecting Cease with the Cubs have been led by the player’s agent. Scott Boras proclaimed on November 12 that his client has been “dominant” at Wrigley Field. Cease has not allowed an earned run in his last two starts in the historic stadium.
Valdez Would Give Cubs Much-Needed Playoff Experience
Chicago’s pursuit of pitching, particularly starters, should not exactly surprise anyone. The Athletic reported on November 14 that team officials have made it clear that “pitching is absolutely the club’s top priority.” The outlet claimed that team execs felt that they were at least one starting pitcher short during the 2025 playoffs.
Chicago was ultimately bounced out of the recent postseason by the Milwaukee Brewers in the divisional round. Throughout the playoffs, the Cubs only had two pitchers start multiple games: Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon. Imanaga only managed to start one game during the postseason and surrendered a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning against the San Diego Padres.
Valdez certainly has plenty of playoff experience with the Astros. The star has pitched in 17 postseason games and previously collected a World Series ring with Houston in 2022. Not only did he hoist the trophy, but Valdez was a standout player on that team. In his four appearances, he allowed just four earned runs in 25 total innings to go undefeated on the mound.
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