The just released Top-40 Free Agent by The Athletic In the 2024–2025 MLB offseason, Big Board is a really helpful home base. Each player’s projected salary, three-season statistics, a brief biographical statement, and two to four of the league’s top team fits are all included.
After transactions are finalized, The Athletic also adds clubs and financial parameters to the list. Even though the team fit component is entirely subjective (i.e., not based on rumors), we will use it as a springboard today to talk about four pitchers/possible Cubs free agent targets that we haven’t really examined in great detail yet: Jeff Hoffman (reliever), Tanner Scott (reliever), Sean Manaea (starter), and Jack Flaherty (starter). Let’s talk about those four pitchers who were identified as suitable for the Cubs (albeit I have serious doubts about at least three of them). Flaherty, Jack Jack Flaherty is the one player I’ve grown more interested in as a Cubs free agent target this offseason.
Our best option for impact is the next tier of the starting pitching market if we’re working in a world where the Cubs aren’t pursuing Corbin Burnes or Max Fried—which I believe we are. Furthermore, Jack Flaherty may have the most pure upside of any arm in that bunch. With 28 regular season starts and 162.0 innings pitched, Flaherty recorded a 3.17 ERA (3.51 FIP) the previous season. In addition, he started five postseason games for the Dodgers, recording 184.0 innings pitched during the season. Flaherty’s strikeout percentage of 29.9% placed him fourth among all starters in Major League Baseball, while his walk rate of 5.9% placed him 16th. He is not, however, a one-trick pony who depends solely on the whiffs for success.
Flaherty also kept opponents to a.222 AVG against him by managing contact effectively (34.9 hard%, 88.4 MPH EV). Additionally, at just 29 years old and unaffected by draft pick compensation, he provides the Cubs front staff with an easy route forward. With a 3.85 ERA, a 25.2% strikeout percentage, and a 7.6% walk rate, Steamer is expected to make 29 starts. Additionally, he is a righty, which would help separate Shota Imanaga from Justin Steele. He ought to be the Cubs’ mid-to-front-of-the-rotation starter, in my opinion. Yes, you do need to consider the dangers involved with his prior injuries, but all free agency pitchers will have to deal with that to some extent.
According to The Athletic, Flaherty will sign a four-year, $92 million contract with the Red Sox and Angels in addition to the Cubs. In any case, MLBTR listed the Dodgers, Angels, Yankees, and Tigers in their five-year, $115 million contract projection. The market is the market, but I doubt the Cubs would go to those lengths with Flaherty.
