The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason with one clear and unavoidable priority.
They needed to significantly upgrade their pitching staff.
After an inconsistent and injury riddled 2025 campaign, the front office understood that marginal tweaks would not be enough.
Chicago responded accordingly.
The Cubs made an early statement by trading for Edward Cabrera, immediately injecting more upside and velocity into their rotation.
At the same time, the organization committed resources to reinforcing the bullpen, an area that had shown cracks during high leverage moments last season.
Those moves alone represented meaningful progress.
But internally, there is growing belief that the Cubs may not be finished reshaping their pitching core.
On Monday morning, industry buzz intensified when reports surfaced that Chicago remains in active discussions with top remaining free agent Zac Gallen.
If a deal were to materialize, it would instantly elevate the Cubs from playoff hopeful to legitimate National League contender.
High profile signings and aggressive trades often dominate offseason headlines.
However, as every baseball executive will attest, championships are rarely built on external additions alone.
The most impactful improvement often comes from within.
For the Chicago Cubs, that internal growth carries even greater importance entering the 2026 season.
The organization does not only need new arms to perform.
They also need existing contributors to return healthy and productive.
No player embodies that reality more clearly than Justin Steele.
Steele has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the National League over the past several seasons.
Yet his 2025 campaign was almost entirely derailed by a serious elbow injury.
The left hander missed the vast majority of the season, leaving a gaping hole in Chicago’s rotation.
That absence was felt immediately.
Without Steele anchoring the staff, the Cubs were forced to rely on patchwork solutions, openers, and inexperienced arms far more frequently than planned.
While the team remained competitive, their margin for error shrank considerably.
The original expectation was that Steele would not return until some point in the first half of the 2026 season.
For months, updates were cautious but optimistic.
Then came a moment that Cubs fans had been waiting for.
During Cubs Con 2026, Justin Steele delivered his most encouraging update yet.
The left hander revealed that he had thrown off a mound again.
For pitchers recovering from elbow injuries, that step is monumental.
“I threw off the mound yesterday for the first time,” Steele said.
The significance of that statement resonated immediately.
When asked how it felt, Steele did not hesitate.
“It felt great,” he explained.
“I’ve been following the normal throwing progression for months now, and everything has been feeling really good.”
“Getting back on the slope felt natural.”
“It felt like being back to normal.”
“Now it’s just about building volume and continuing to progress.”
Those comments represented more than just routine optimism.
They reflected steady, setback free progress.
Arm injuries are notoriously unpredictable.
Even the most promising recoveries can be derailed by inflammation, soreness, or mechanical adjustments.
Yet throughout Steele’s rehabilitation process, nearly every update has been positive.
There have been no reports of discomfort, delays, or unexpected regression.
That consistency matters.
Realistically, Steele will not be ready for Opening Day.
The Cubs are unlikely to rush a pitcher of his importance.
He will need time to regain arm strength, command, and stamina.
But the timeline is becoming clearer.
If Steele can rejoin the rotation by June, the impact would be enormous.
Chicago felt his absence most acutely during the stretch run of 2025.
Rookie Cade Horton exceeded expectations and helped stabilize the rotation.
His emergence prevented the staff from completely unraveling.
Still, there is no question the Cubs would have entered the postseason far better positioned with Steele available.
Over the two seasons prior to his injury, Steele established himself as one of the most dependable starters in baseball.
He made 54 starts, logging 308 innings.
He posted a 3.07 ERA and a 1.140 WHIP.
He recorded 311 strikeouts, consistently neutralizing elite hitters.
Those numbers place him firmly among the top tier of National League starters.
Beyond the statistics, Steele brings reliability.
He takes the ball every fifth day.
He works deep into games.
He stabilizes a rotation.
Without him, manager Craig Counsell was forced into uncomfortable decisions.
Chicago leaned heavily on bullpen games and openers.
That approach taxed relievers and limited strategic flexibility.
Steele’s presence would have reduced that burden dramatically.
His value extends beyond the mound.
Within the clubhouse, Steele is a respected leader.
His calm demeanor and preparation set a standard for younger pitchers.
During high pressure moments, his emotional steadiness carries weight.
Those intangible qualities are difficult to quantify but impossible to replace.
The Cubs’ offseason strategy reflects urgency.
They are building depth.
They are adding options.
They are preparing for adversity.
Yet no addition can fully replicate the impact of a healthy Justin Steele.
His return would not merely strengthen the rotation.
It would redefine it.
With Cabrera added, bullpen depth improved, and the potential pursuit of Gallen still looming, Chicago is assembling a formidable pitching staff.
Insert Steele into that mix, and the outlook changes dramatically.
The Cubs are not simply trying to compete.
They are positioning themselves to sustain success.
Everything now hinges on health.
Based on Steele’s latest update, the organization has reason to be optimistic.
If his recovery continues on its current trajectory, Chicago may soon welcome back one of its most critical pieces.
And when that happens, the Cubs’ ceiling rises considerably.
For a team chasing postseason relevance and long term contention, that development could be the difference maker.
