With the market for Tatsuya Imai nearing a turning point, the Cubs could turn to a familiar low-risk, high-upside strategy to bolster their rotation depth.

IMAGE: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Walker Buehler (31) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. / Bill Streicher / Imagn Images

Walker Buehler’s journey over the last few seasons has been anything but straightforward. Once a rising ace for the Dodgers, injuries derailed his momentum, forcing him into prove-it territory.

Last offseason, there was a moment when the Cubs and Buehler seemed like a natural fit-Chicago needed rotation depth, and Buehler needed a platform to reassert his value. Instead, he landed in Boston on a one-year deal.

Now, a year later, the opportunity might be circling back.

Buehler didn’t quite return to his All-Star form in 2025, but he did manage to log 126 innings-the most he’s thrown in a season since his stellar 2021 campaign, when he finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. That’s not nothing. For a pitcher coming off multiple injury-shortened years, durability alone is a step in the right direction.

Boston ultimately cut ties with him in late August, and he finished the season with the Phillies. It wasn’t a storybook comeback, but it was enough to keep teams interested-especially those like the Cubs, who’ve made a habit of betting on bounce-back arms.

And here we are again: Buehler is back on the market, and the Cubs still have a clear need in their rotation. According to recent reports, Chicago is one of several teams eyeing the right-hander as a potential low-risk, high-reward signing. And frankly, it makes a lot of sense.

This front office has shown a clear appetite for reclamation projects-just look at the work they’ve done with guys like Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy has built a reputation for getting the most out of arms that other teams have moved on from. That kind of track record matters when you’re trying to lure a veteran like Buehler, who’s still looking to recapture his peak form.

What makes Buehler particularly intriguing is his deep pitch mix. He’s not just a fastball-slider guy-he’s got seven pitches in his toolbox, and when he’s right, he can keep hitters guessing with the best of them. Pair that with a veteran-laden staff and a coaching group that knows how to develop, and there’s a real chance Chicago could help him unlock what’s been missing.

Of course, timing is everything. The Cubs are still in the mix for other arms, including international free agent Tatsuya Imai, who’s facing a signing deadline at the end of the week.

Once Imai makes a decision, the rest of the market could start moving quickly. If Chicago misses out on Imai or decides the trade market is too rich for their taste, Buehler could emerge as an ideal fallback-one with upside that far exceeds the cost.

He’s not the sure thing he once was, but that’s exactly the kind of profile this front office has gravitated toward. And if Buehler’s willing to bet on himself again, the Cubs might just be the perfect place to do it.