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Cubs Should Pursue Rangers' $22 Million Starter to Fix Struggling Rotation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 11:10 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs' starting rotation is getting a massive boost this week with the return of ace Shota Imanaga. After missing the last month and a half with a hamstring strain, the dominant left-hander will headline a pitching staff with a 3.5-game lead in the NL Central. Behind Imanaga are Jameson Taillon (3.84 ERA) and Matthew Boyd (2.84 ERA), who have been steady presences in his absence. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Colin Rea (4.42 ERA) and Ben Brown (5.57 ERA), leaving questions as to how well can Chicago’s rotation stack up come the postseason.

The Cubs are already monitoring the starting pitcher market, according to president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. While bigger names such as Miami Marlins’ ace Sandy Alcantara would make an excellent addition, the cost for both may be too high for Chicago.

One under-the-radar pitcher the Cubs should target is Texas Rangers starter Tyle Mahle.

Although he is currently on the injured list with shoulder soreness, Mahle is in the middle of a resurgent 2025 campaign. In 14 starts, Mahle has accumulated a 6-3 record, 56 strikeouts, and a 2.34 ERA, the tenth-lowest ERA in baseball among pitchers with at least 70 innings thrown.

Inserting Mahle, 30, would bump either Brown or Rea from the Cubs’ rotation and give them a stellar top four arms ready for a second-half push to the playoffs. The Rangers may not want to trade Mahle, sitting just two games behind in the AL Wild Card. But if they fail to get hot, he makes for an excellent third or fourth starter to add at the trade deadline.

If Chicago wants to go for it all while searching for a bargain, Mahle may be the best option. In the final year of a two-year, $22 million contract, the Cubs would be on the hook for just $5.8 million of Mahle's remaining deal. Compare that to the $35.8 million tied to Alcantara through 2027, and Mahle becomes an even more appealing short-term option.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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