Cubs linked to $18 million two-time All-Star ace, could potentially replace Shota Imanaga originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs have one big mission this offseason that isn’t figuring out what to do with Kyle Tucker: Finding a true ace for their starting rotation. With Shota Imanaga regressing and Cade Horton only being 24, they need to find a veteran who can lead the rotation.

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Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer believes that the Cubs should pursue Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez, either as a replacement for Imanaga, or just another addition to become the ace.

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“The more difficult call concerns Imanaga. The Cubs hold a three-year, $57 million club option, whereas he has a $15 million player option for 2026 if they decline the club option. Given he took a sizable step backward in 2025, the end result may well be him becoming a free agent. Even if Imanaga does stick around, this rotation will be crying out for an upgrade after a year when it was generally solid, but mostly ace-less. Valdez would give them a dependable No. 1 starter, and he would surely love having Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner backing him on the infield,” Rymer wrote.

Valdez suffered a horrendous end-of-season meltdown, leading to posting a 3.66 ERA, a record of 13-11, a WHIP of 1.245, and 187 Ks over 192 innings pitched this season. Before the trade deadline, he had a record of 11-4, a 2.62 ERA, and 141 Ks.

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If Valdez can shake off whatever caused that meltdown, he could easily be the ace of the Cubs’ staff. Even if he doesn’t, if he can just be a little better, he could easily be the No. 2 to mentor Horton into the ace of Chicago.

Hopefully, the Cubs pursue him as soon as the offseason starts, as many other teams will be vying for the hurler as well.

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