Cubs’ Conservative Offseason Approach Points to Trade Targets Like Nick Pivetta, Pablo López

The Chicago Cubs have been walking a tightrope in recent offseasons – balancing financial prudence with competitive ambition – and more often than not, falling short of the splashy moves fans crave. While other big-market teams lean into their spending power, the Cubs have largely stayed in the shallow end of the free-agent pool, opting for shorter-term deals and avoiding financial structures like early opt-outs or deferred money. That kind of caution has kept them out of the running for some of the game’s top-tier talent.

This is a franchise with the resources to operate like the Yankees or Phillies – one of the most valuable organizations in all of professional sports. But the approach from ownership has been more in line with mid-market clubs like the Guardians or Brewers.

That’s not just a philosophical difference – it’s a missed opportunity. In a division where financial muscle could be a decisive edge, the Cubs have chosen not to flex.

So where does that leave them this offseason? If recent history is any indication, it’s time to look past the headline names and focus on realistic trade targets – players who won’t break the bank or require gutting the farm system. Two names that fit that mold: Nick Pivetta and Pablo López.

Nick Pivetta: A Late-Blooming Rotation Workhorse

Nick Pivetta might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of frontline starters, but his 2025 season with the Padres turned heads across the league. After signing a four-year, $55 million deal with San Diego – a contract that’s heavily backloaded – Pivetta delivered the best performance of his career. He threw 181 2/3 innings of 2.87 ERA ball, good enough to finish sixth in the NL Cy Young voting.

At 32, Pivetta has finally found consistency, and his ability to eat innings while missing bats makes him an appealing mid-rotation option. The Padres only paid him $1.75 million last year, but with bigger salaries looming and questions about their payroll flexibility, moving Pivetta could be a way to create space for other moves.

From the Cubs’ perspective, the cost to acquire him likely wouldn’t be prohibitive. He has opt-outs after both the 2026 and 2027 seasons, which means if he repeats his 2025 success, he’s likely to test free agency again next winter. That makes him a short-term play with upside – a classic “buy low, ride high” scenario.

Pablo López: High Ceiling, Health Questions

Then there’s Pablo López, who finds himself in a different kind of limbo. Still under contract with the Twins through 2027 at $21.75 million per year, López made just 14 starts last season due to injuries. But when he was on the mound, the results were impressive: a 2.74 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.110 WHIP, and a 156 ERA+ over 75 2/3 innings.

The Twins have already begun a teardown, and López, despite his talent, may be one of the next pieces to go. His injury-shortened season means Minnesota would be selling low, but if the Cubs are willing to take on the salary and the risk, the 29-year-old could be a worthwhile gamble.

López isn’t a true ace – and let’s be honest, that’s what the Cubs really need if they want to make serious noise in October. But he’s a strong No. 2 when healthy, and his contract offers cost certainty through his prime years. He’s also been a name floated in trade talks for a while now, so the groundwork for a deal might already be there.

The Bigger Picture

Neither Pivetta nor López is the kind of acquisition that’s going to light up the marquee at Wrigley. But given the Cubs’ recent tendencies, they might represent the most realistic path forward. The team has shown a reluctance to spend big or part with top-tier prospects – apart from last winter’s Kyle Tucker trade, which remains the outlier.

If Chicago wants to upgrade the rotation without shaking up its long-term plans or payroll structure, these are the kinds of moves that fit the mold. They may not generate a ton of buzz, but they could provide real value – and in a division where margins are thin, that might be enough to make a difference.

The Cubs have the resources to aim higher. Whether they choose to is another story. For now, fans may need to recalibrate expectations and look for smart, targeted additions rather than blockbuster splashes.