Chicago Cubs may have an angle to nab free agent pitching stud

The Chicago Cubs should leave no stone unturned when it comes to pursuing pitching this offseason—especially starting pitching.

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With their entire end-of-season starting rotation likely heading off to play elsewhere via free agency, the team’s remaining rotation options are full of injury and/or inconsistency-related question marks. At the same time, they’re fielding a squad of position players clearly in win-now mode.

There will have to be an extreme effort to essentially rebuild their rotation with pitchers also in firm win-now mode.

Realistically, though, it’s doubtful whether the Cubs can—or would even be willing to—match spending with some of the other major market giants out there like the Dodgers and Mets.

Jed Hoyer and the front office—even with more than $100 million off the books this offseason—will most likely lean on creativity and strategic spending strategies to mold a new rotation. This could come via trade, foreign market signings, or reclamation project targets along with a high-profile free agent signing or two.

A creative free agent signing

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One idea recently floated out to the public involves the Cubs and free agent reliever Adrian Morejon.

Now, of course, the now ex-San Diego Padres reliever would be a great addition to Chicago’s bullpen as a left-handed power arm capable of becoming the team’s primary closer. But the Cubs need starters first and foremost. So, why make the all-out effort to court Morejon?

Morejon apparently wants to convert into a starter and the Cubs could get the upper hand on some of the teams pursuing the pitcher by promising him that opportunity.

The idea represents a bit of a win-win for Chicago as they’d get an elite-tier arm at what would be a reasonable price for a top-tier starting pitcher (projected to be in the $14 million-$18 million range per season). And if he can’t make the adjustment to full-time starting pitcher, they could always switch him back into a more comfortable bullpen role.

The Cubs and Morejon

Matt Snyder of CBS Sports is actually predicting that the Cubs will nab Morejon and turn them into one of their needed rotation pieces:

“The Cubs badly need rotation help and Wrigley Field, thanks to Chicago wind patterns, is better suited for left-handed pitchers. The ownership there spends money, yes, but is relatively cheap given their market and money-making ability, which means they’ll cheap out on Tarik Skubal (if they even try seriously, and my guess is they won’t). So they’ll need consolation prizes (yes, plural). Morejon will convert to starting and be one of them.”

It’s certainly an intriguing idea. The 27-year-old is no stranger to starting. He’s started 9 games in the majors and 50 games in the minors. He also has the full pitch repertoire needed to go multiple times through a lineup.

For the Cubs, this could be a smart roll of the dice with a huge potential payoff.

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