{"id":113618,"date":"2025-10-28T12:07:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T12:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=113618"},"modified":"2025-10-28T12:07:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T12:07:19","slug":"cubs-linked-to-top-free-agent-ace-after-breakout-season-fanrecap-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=113618","title":{"rendered":"Cubs Linked to Top Free Agent Ace After Breakout Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

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IMAGE: Imagn Images<\/div>\n

The Chicago Cubs gave fans a reason to believe again this past season. For the first time in years, Wrigley Field had that October energy – the kind that makes the ivy feel a little greener and the air a little crisper.<\/p>\n

After nearly a decade of hovering around mediocrity, the Cubs finally made a real postseason push. It was a reminder of what this franchise can look like when it\u2019s clicking – a contender in one of baseball\u2019s most iconic ballparks, with a fanbase ready to erupt.<\/p>\n

But as electric as the first half of the season was, the second half exposed some clear cracks in the foundation. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of depth – particularly in the starting rotation – nearly derailed the whole thing.<\/p>\n

If not for the emergence of rookie Cade Horton, who stepped up when the staff needed him most, the Cubs might\u2019ve faded out of the race entirely. His breakout was a bright spot, no doubt, but also a flashing signal: this rotation needs reinforcements.<\/p>\n

That brings us to the offseason, where President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has a clear mandate – invest in the rotation. If the Cubs are going to build on this past season and take the next step, it starts with adding a frontline starter. And there\u2019s one name on the market who fits that bill perfectly: Framber Valdez.<\/p>\n

Former MLB GM Jim Bowden recently listed Valdez as a top-tier free agent and pegged the Cubs as a “tremendous fit” for the left-hander. It\u2019s not hard to see why.<\/p>\n

Valdez has been one of the most consistent starters in the game over the last few seasons. Since 2022, he\u2019s posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.159 WHIP, with a 57-35 record across 121 starts.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s logged 767.2 innings and punched out 750 batters in that span – numbers that speak to both his durability and dominance.<\/p>\n

Valdez isn\u2019t just a regular-season workhorse, either. He\u2019s pitched in big games, performed under postseason pressure, and brings a style that would play well at Wrigley. He\u2019s an elite ground-ball pitcher who works deep into games – exactly the kind of arm that can stabilize a rotation and take pressure off the bullpen.<\/p>\n

Yes, he stumbled a bit down the stretch this past season, allowing four or more runs in four of his final five starts. And yes, there was that controversial moment where he appeared to intentionally cross up his catcher. But even with that late-season dip and the off-field noise, Valdez remains the top starting pitcher available in this year\u2019s free agent class.<\/p>\n

In fact, that controversy might actually work in Chicago\u2019s favor. If it impacts his market value – and it just might – the Cubs could have an opportunity to land a legitimate ace on a shorter-term, high-AAV deal.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the kind of calculated risk that could pay off big. Hoyer has shown he\u2019s not afraid to be opportunistic, and this could be one of those moments.<\/p>\n

Adding Valdez wouldn\u2019t just be about filling a hole in the rotation – it would be about setting a tone. About signaling to the clubhouse and the fanbase that this team isn\u2019t content with a taste of October.<\/p>\n

They want more. They want to build something sustainable, something that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the National League.<\/p>\n

And with the core starting to come together, a move like this could be the catalyst. Valdez has the track record, the stuff, and the experience to be a true No.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. If the Cubs want to keep that October buzz alive – and maybe even make it last a little longer next time – this is the kind of arm that can help get them there.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Chicago Cubs gave fans a reason to believe again this past season. For the first time in years, Wrigley Field had that October energy – the kind that makes the ivy feel a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":113619,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-113618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nCubs Linked to Top Free Agent Ace After Breakout Season - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=113618\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cubs Linked to Top Free Agent Ace After Breakout Season - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Chicago Cubs gave fans a reason to believe again this past season. 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