Cubs Free Agent Starting Pitcher Targets: Pros & Cons
- Okay, here's a breakdown of the pros and cons for each pitcher discussed in the provided text, formatted for easy reference:
- * His expected ERA (3.46) and FIP (3.56) were both good, suggesting his ERA was somewhat unlucky.
- * Generates a lot of soft contact (97th percentile in hard-hit rate - 30.3% in 2024).
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons for each pitcher discussed in the provided text, formatted for easy reference:
* Pros:
* High strikeout rate.
* His expected ERA (3.46) and FIP (3.56) were both good, suggesting his ERA was somewhat unlucky.
* cons:
* Fly ball pitcher (62.7% fly ball/line drive rate). This is a concern, especially with potential wind blowing out at Wrigley Field.
2. Michael King
* Pros:
* Five-pitch mix.
* Generates a lot of soft contact (97th percentile in hard-hit rate – 30.3% in 2024).
* Effective changeup (opponents hit .181 against it in 2024).
* Cons:
* Injury history (missed half of 2025 with nerve and knee issues).
* xERA (4.31) was considerably higher than his ERA (3.44) in 2025.
* High barrel rate (11.4% in 2025, nearly double his 2024 rate).
* Fly ball pitcher (39.1% ground ball rate).
3. José Suárez
* Pros:
* Induces soft contact (31.1% hard-hit rate, top 2% of qualified pitchers in 2025).
* Ground ball pitcher (48% ground ball rate in 2025, career 52.9%).
* Would benefit from the Cubs’ strong infield defense (Hoerner & Swanson).
* Cons:
* Injury history (hasn’t reached 30 starts in a season).
* History of back problems.