The Chicago Cubs are gonna need a starting rotation makeover. 

It's possible that all five of Chicago's starters during the final few weeks of the regular season and in the postseason will not return in 2027. 

"[Shota] Imanaga, [David] Peterson and [Kevin] Gausman are unrestricted free agents, [Matthew] Boyd has a mutual option for 2027 that is unlikely to be exercised, and [Clay] Holmes will almost certainly decline his $12M player option for next season," Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer wrote. 

What's left? 

Well, the Cubs should have Justin Steele back from prolonged surgery rehab and will hope for a bounceback season from Edward Cabrera. A few other arms could fill in the backend of the rotation, but the Cubs are missing an ace. 

Rymer tabbed the Cubs as a top five landing spot for right-hander Michael King from the San Diego Padres. 

Chicago should have plenty of money coming off the books, especially if Boyd opts out of his deal. Per Rymer, Imanaga and Boyd combined to make $37 million in 2026. 

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That's money that can be used to help sign King, who has a 1.86 ERA in seven postseason appearances and is one of the best starters in the Majors when healthy. 

Injuries are a concern with King, but he made 32 starts and threw a career-high 185 innings in his third season with the Padres. 

Tarik Skubal could be one of Chicago's targets, but King is a tremendous fallback option who will undoubtedly receive plenty of interest. 

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