The Chicago Cubs have taken on some reclamation projects from a pitching standpoint over the past few seasons at the big league level. Most of these arms have stood out in the bullpen for pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, as the starting rotation has been the strongest unit on the team in recent memory entering the 2025 campaign. Julian Merryweather and Tyson Miller are two relief arms in each of the last couple of seasons that have turned their careers around in the Windy City.
Even though the Cubs are currently in control of the NL Central, there is still plenty of ball to be played this season. Their bullpen has faltered on occasion and the depth of their starting rotation has been depleted, especially after Shota Imanaga had to leave his start on Sunday in Milwaukee due to a strained hamstring.
The front office will need to rely on guys from Triple-A and the trade market if they want their pitching staff to make it through the entire regular season. They have an opportunity to make an addition through a different avenue after a veteran was placed on waivers by the Tigers last week.
The Chicago Cubs could take a chance on Kenta Maeda
Maeda was officially designated for assignment by Detroit last week and the Tigers are responsible for eating the $10 million remaining on his contract this year. The right hander struggled mightily in his time with Detroit this year. Maeda appeared in seven games and possessed a 7.88 ERA to pair with his 1.88 WHIP in 8.0 innings tossed. The veteran signed a two-year deal with the Tigers prior to last season and he pitched in 29 games for the club in 2024. Out of the 29 appearances he made, 17 of them were starts and he logged 112.1 innings on the hill.
Maeda finished last year with a 6.09 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP along with his 3-7 record. The now 37-year-old had a rough go at it in Detroit and he might not have much left in the tank in his big league career. If there is a pitching coach that can turn around a veteran’s outlook in the game, it’s Hottovy and he might be able to help Maeda overcome his struggles if given the opportunity to work with him.
Kenta Maeda would provide more depth for the Chicago Cubs
With injuries to Imanaga and Justin Steele, the Cubs may have to lean on top pitching prospect, Cade Horton to come up to the big leagues and take on a major role from the jump. Chris Flexen was called up from Triple-A last week and after making his team debut in relief against Milwaukee on Friday, he might need to jump into the rotation at some point as well.
Even though he has primarily worked out of the bullpen as of late, an addition of Maeda could be for him to get a crack with the starters. However, the coaching staff could be confident in their starting plan moving forward and Maeda be another throw at the dart board as a veteran reliever. With the exception of a couple of arms in the stable, nobody’s role in the group should be safe.
Chicago Cubs ace has a similar injury that another top starter dealt with in 2024
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