After a shocking turn of events, the Chicago Cubs ended up watching Shota Imanaga head into free agency this winter. The Cubs need to add pitching this offseason, as it seems like it’s the biggest hole on the roster right now.
They’ll need to work to either re-sign or replace Imanaga. Considering the fact that they opted out of his fifth year, it seems as though the Cubs will be looking to replace him.
FanSided’s Zachary Rotman recently suggested the Cubs could make a trade for Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan this offseason.
“Ryan has ace upside, and is under cheap club control through the 2027 campaign,” Rotman wrote. “The Twins should strongly consider trading him now, as teams would be willing to trade more for two full years of him rather than one and a half or one, but they’re not in a position where they have to move him. They can hold out for an absurd offer, which might come through, but I’m not so sure it actually will.
“If Ryan is traded, the Chicago Cubs are a team that could desperately use a frontline starter. Ryan could fill that void without breaking the bank for them financially. The Cubs have tradable prospects, and if they want to get back to the postseason in 2026, adding to their rotation feels like a must.”
Ryan would be a huge addition for the Cubs. He’s one of the best pitchers expected to be on the trade market this winter.
The Cubs have some solid prospect capital to make a deal like this happen. After potentially losing Imanaga, a move like this is crucial to make for Chicago.
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