Cubs Pursuing Top Free Agent Pitcher

Chicago looking to bolster rotation with veteran right-hander Lucas Giolito

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher in the midst of his throwing motion, the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange.A cubist interpretation of a pitcher's motion captures the dynamism and complexity of the game.Chicago Today

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly interested in signing free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito, who is coming off a solid 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox. While Giolito is not an ace at this stage of his career, he could provide valuable depth to the Cubs' injury-plagued rotation.

Why it matters

The Cubs have been hit hard by injuries to their pitching staff, losing Cade Horton for the season and still awaiting the returns of Matthew Boyd and Justin Steele. Adding a veteran like Giolito could help stabilize the rotation and give the team more options as they look to contend in the NL Central.

The details

According to reports, the Cubs and San Diego Padres are the two teams currently pursuing Giolito, who is looking for a two-year deal. The 31-year-old right-hander is currently throwing 75 pitches in bullpen sessions as he works his way back from an injury, and may not be ready to start a major league game until next month. However, the Cubs are willing to take on the risk in the hopes that Giolito can provide quality innings down the stretch.

  • Giolito missed all of spring training and at least part of April due to injury.
  • He may not be ready to start a major league game until next month.

The players

Lucas Giolito

A 31-year-old right-handed pitcher who is a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 2.1 bWAR with a 3.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 26 starts and 145 innings.

Cade Horton

A Cubs pitcher who is out for the season due to injury.

Matthew Boyd

A Cubs pitcher who is currently injured and awaiting his return.

Justin Steele

A Cubs pitcher who is currently injured and awaiting his return.

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What they’re saying

“The Cubs project Giolito, 31, as more of a back-of-the-rotation starter, and the fact that he missed all of spring training and at least part of April might further temper expectations.”

— Ken Rosenthal, Reporter

What’s next

The Cubs and Giolito will continue to negotiate a potential contract over the coming days, with the goal of having the veteran pitcher join the team's rotation as soon as he is ready to contribute at the major league level.

The takeaway

The Cubs' pursuit of Lucas Giolito highlights their need to bolster their pitching staff amidst a rash of injuries. While Giolito may not be an ace, he could provide valuable depth and experience to a rotation that has been decimated by health issues. This move represents the team's willingness to take on calculated risks in order to remain competitive in the NL Central.