With the Houston Astros officially moving on from Framber Valdez this offseason, the left-hander’s next destination is becoming one of the more intriguing storylines on the market. The Astros’ recent signing of Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai all but closed the door on a Valdez reunion, and while the split wasn’t entirely unexpected – especially after the tension surrounding an incident where Valdez appeared to throw at his own catcher – it’s still a significant shift for a team that’s leaned heavily on his arm in recent years.

Now, with Houston out of the picture and Imai off the board, attention is turning toward the Chicago Cubs – a team that had been in the mix for Imai themselves. With one of their top targets gone, the Cubs are suddenly looking like a logical landing spot for Valdez, and the fit makes a lot of sense on paper.

Let’s start with the basics: the Cubs need rotation help. They’ve been actively exploring ways to bolster their starting staff, and Valdez checks a lot of boxes.

He’s a proven innings-eater, a lefty with postseason experience, and his ground-ball-heavy profile would mesh nicely with Chicago’s defensively sound infield. That’s a formula that could play well in Wrigley, especially during those early-season games when the wind and weather can wreak havoc on fly-ball pitchers.

Of course, there’s competition. The Orioles have been linked to Valdez multiple times this winter and are still hunting for a frontline starter to anchor their young, talented roster.

The Mets – unpredictable as ever – can never be ruled out when it comes to adding big names, and the Giants have been lurking as a potential splash candidate all offseason. But the Cubs have a compelling case if they’re willing to make the financial commitment.

And that’s the big question in Chicago: are they? Since handing Dansby Swanson a nine-figure deal, the front office has been relatively quiet on the big-spending front. Chairman Tom Ricketts has a reputation for keeping the books tight, and unless Valdez’s market unexpectedly softens, it may take a shift in approach to get a deal done.

Still, the timing might be right. With Imai signed, the starting pitching dominoes are likely to start falling quickly.

Arbitration deadlines are looming, spring training is around the corner, and Valdez – if he wants some control over where he lands – will need to make a move soon. That urgency could spark more serious conversations between his camp and the Cubs, especially now that their Plan A may have just signed with Houston.

Bottom line: if Chicago is serious about contending and willing to spend, Valdez could be the kind of rotation upgrade that moves the needle. The fit is there.

The need is there. Now it’s just a matter of whether the Cubs step up and make it happen.