After hiring right-hander Trevor Williams, team president Jed Hoyer said the Cubs could add more initial pitches before spring training. This came true on Friday, with the club’s agreement on a reunion with free agent Jake Arrieta, who is awaiting physical examination.
The additions of Williams and Arrieta, both in one-year deals, add two veteran arms to a rotation that lost four in the off season in Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, José Quintana and Tyler Chatwood. Williams arrives after five seasons in Pittsburgh, while Arrieta returns to Chicago, his 2013-17 home, after three seasons in Philadelphia.
This additional rotation experience will be especially important this season to cover the increase in entries starting in 2020. Hoyer said recently that Cubs need seven or eight entries in 2021, “given the fact that people will have some entry restrictions” calendar of 60 games of the season.
Coach David Ross now has at least six starters at his disposal, with a handful of other options in the photo. How does this group compare? Glad you asked.
With spring training coming up, here’s an anticipated (and updated) Opening Day rotation projection.