The Shota Era Is Officially Over After The Cubs Declined To Pick Up His Option. Ricketts MUST Go For It This Winter

Not surprising to say the least. When the Cubs were desperate for a pitcher in an elimination game, Shota simply wasn't an option even on full rest. The Cubs didn't trust him at all. He seemed cooked both physically and mentally. Tough end to a very fun stint in Chicago. I loved Shota. He seemed to really embrace Chicago right down to using Chelsea Dagger as his intro song. 

In 2024 he was a genuine ace for the Cubs. Probably better than anyone expected. Ended up finishing 5th in Cy Young voting and 4th for Rookie of The Year at age 31. The 2025 Cubs needed him to be that guy we saw in 2024 after all the starting pitching issues and instead of being a stopper he was a guy who ended causing the Cubs to bleed out. Both parties declined their options. Sometimes it's just best to move on. 

Jed has a big task here this winter. Who knows what the budget from Ricketts is at this point, but the Cubs have a core that still has the ability to contend. Remaking the pitching staff is obviously going to be so huge for this group. After watching the Blue Jays be a millimeter away from beating the Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series it makes me wonder what could've been for the Cubs if they had a fully healthy Kyle Tucker, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton. Every team has injuries. Not every team has injuries to their best position player by far and their two best starting pitchers. It makes me want to run it back. 

I don't think the Cubs will sign Tucker. I've come back around on him after a few weeks away. I want the Cubs to do whatever it takes to maximize the potential with this group while they're all largely still in their prime. Imagine a starting rotation of 

Horton

Steele

Cease

Taillon

Boyd

That has the potential to be one of the best rotations in all of baseball. Then you hope to get something out of Wiggins. Cease, Horton, and Wiggins have the power arms that you need to thrive in playoff baseball. If you get Kyle Tucker or some other big bat in the middle of the lineup, an improved Matt Shaw, and all of a sudden the Cubs have a VERY scary team again. It's a pipe dream at this point to expect the Ricketts to spend on anyone, which is so disappointing because it does feel like the window is closing as the core ages, but right now the Cubs have a real shot if the organization cares enough to take it.