Team principal Jed Hoyer’s stated goal of “absolutely” playing in 2023 means the Cubs will have to add a starting pitcher this winter.
According to multiple reports from ESPN’s Jesse Rodgers and Jeff Passan, they made their first move on that front by signing former Yankees starter and free agent Jameson Tyrone to a four-year, $68 million deal.
A busy Tuesday followed at the Cubs’ winter meeting, with the Cubs signing former MVP Cody Bellinger earlier in the day.
It marks a return to NL Central for former Pirate Taillon, who was one of the remaining top arms in the free-agent starting pitching market that picked up momentum at this week’s Winter Meetings.
After a tumultuous career, Tyrone has been a mid-rotation starter for the Yankees in recent seasons. Starting in 2021, the 31-year-old has a 4.08 ERA in 61 starts, including his 3.91 ERA in 2022 (32 starts).
Tyrone, who has shown excellent control in his career, finished seventh in the MLB in walks per nine innings last season.
The Cubs’ rotation was dwindled by injuries in the first half of 2022, costing him a few appearances.
Better health and better results after the All-Star break — in fact, their 2.89 ERA ranked third in MLB — but the rotation is one of their biggest needs this winter. One. Marcus Stroman was the only Cubs starter in 2022 when he started 25 games and pitched 120 or more innings.
General manager Carter Hawkins said at a meeting on Tuesday, “We can’t do enough pitching. We will definitely look at adding as much pitching as possible. We already have great internal options. I think we have people who want to keep giving innings.
“But there are others who are interested in us joining and continuing to fill that staff. We are definitely addressing that market.”
Drafted 2nd overall by the Pirates in 2010, Tyrone made his Pittsburgh debut in 2016 and spent four seasons there.
He started 25 games in 2017, despite missing five weeks after testicular cancer surgery, and had his most successful season a year later (3.20 ERA, 32 starts).
His 2019 was cut short after seven starts due to an elbow injury. That led to Tommy John surgery and sidelined him for the entire COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Tyyon joins the Cubs’ rotation picture, which includes Strowman, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Adrian Sampson, Keegan Thompson and Hayden Wesneski.
Hendrix, who missed the second half of last season with a shoulder problem, is a bit of a question mark. Thompson and Sampson could be a better fit as a multi-inning relief option and rotation depth. Wesneski will look for his spot on the Opener Day roster in spring training.
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