The Chicago Cubs took a meaningful step forward during the 2025 season. The National League Central club finished the year with a 92-70 record, earning a playoff spot for the first time since 2020.
Chicago carried that momentum into October by knocking off the San Diego Padres in the MLB Wild Card round, winning the series 2-1. Their postseason run came to an end in the NLDS, however, against division rival Milwaukee. After falling behind 2-0 in the series, the Cubs rallied to force a decisive Game 5, but ultimately dropped the series to the Brewers 3-2.
Even with the disappointing finish, the season was viewed as a success, and the Cubs are now focused on taking the next step with an aggressive offseason. They have already been linked to several high-profile free agents, including All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez. Given Chicago’s need for another impact starter, it is not surprising that Valdez has emerged as a potential target.
That possibility gained more traction recently, as the Cubs received a positive projection regarding their chances of landing the veteran pitcher.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield recently released predictions for where the top remaining MLB free agents could land this offseason. When it came to Valdez, Schoenfield projected the Cubs as the team most likely to secure his services.
“The Cubs need a top-of-the-rotation starter, a guy they feel more confident handing the ball to in a playoff game than they did with Matthew Boyd or Shota Imanaga. They also have the payroll flexibility to do it, sitting about $22 million below last season’s total,” Schoenfield wrote.
Chicago’s rotation clearly needs a frontline arm, and Valdez fits that description. Adding an established All-Star would immediately strengthen the staff and make the Cubs a far tougher matchup, especially in postseason situations.
Valdez is coming off another strong campaign with the Houston Astros. During the 2025 season, he went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA and 187 strikeouts across 31 appearances. That followed an excellent 2024 season in which he posted a 15-7 record and a 2.91 ERA in 28 games. Production like that would represent a major upgrade for the Cubs’ rotation.
Although Schoenfield has the Cubs as the favorite, he also mentioned the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles as serious contenders for Valdez.
The Mets, coming off a frustrating season, are expected to pursue another high-end starter, and Valdez would give them a proven ace-caliber presence. Meanwhile, the Orioles have already shown a willingness to spend this winter, highlighted by their signing of slugger Pete Alonso, making it reasonable to think they could also target a rotation upgrade like Valdez.