Chicago Cubs: Three low cost options for the rotation

It may be too little, too late for the Chicago Cubs.

After watching Jon Lester sign elsewhere, and after trading Yu Darvish to the Padres, ownership has finally found some extra money to be spent in free agency. The front office is now looking to spend that money to shore up a rotation that has been decidedly weakened due to a previous lack of funds.

At least the Chicago Cubs have options

This newfound cash is not going to be enough for the Cubs to land Trevor Bauer. However, there are still plenty of starting pitchers available that could fit within their budget. None of these names are overly exciting, and they can be best considered reclamation projects, but they could provide a decent enough return on investment. As the NL Central is still reasonably wide open, landing the right starting pitcher could make a major difference.

Let’s take a look at three options for the Chicago Cubs as they look to shore up their rotation.

Jake Arrieta

Jake Arrieta had his greatest run of success in the majors during his time with the Chicago Cubs. A mediocre pitcher during his time in Baltimore, he immediately became a top of the rotation arm in Chicago, dominating the NL en route to an All Star Game appearance and the 2015 Cy Young.

He is not that pitcher any longer. Injuries helped torpedo his 2020 campaign, but he was a disappointment during his time in Philadelphia. Arrieta posted a 5.08 ERA and a 1.511 WHiP in his 44.1 innings last year, striking out 32 batters with 16 walks.

But there is still the possibility that, if healthy, he can bounce back with one more solid season. The Cubs would be looking to have him shore up the back of the rotation, a veteran arm in what will be a mostly unproven cast.

The Chicago Cubs would not be looking for Jake Arrieta to replicate his performance from his first trek through the city. But if he can be a league average arm once again, they would certainly take that production.

Jeff Samardzija

Another pitcher looking to bounce back from an injury riddled 2020 campaign, and another former Cub, Jeff Samardzija would seemingly fit within Chicago’s budget.

There is already interest. Samardzija is reportedly set to throw for the Cubs sometime in the next few days as they look to see if he is recovered from his shoulder woes. His injury could go a long way towards explaining the disappointing 9.72 ERA and 1.500 WHiP he posted in his 16.1 innings last year.

However, Samardzija posted one of the better seasons in his career in 2019. His 11-12 record may have been underwhelming, but he produced a solid 3.52 ERA and a 1.108 WHiP over his 181.1 innings, striking out 140 batters with 49 walks.

In general, Samardzija has been a relatively steady, if unspectacular, arm in the majors. He has been roughly league average over his career, posting a 97 ERA+ in his 13 major league seasons. However, he has also been a modern day workhorse, eclipsing the 200 inning plateau five times.

If healthy, Jeff Samardzija could be a perfect fit in the back of the Chicago Cubs rotation. But that is a big if.