Cubs Rotation Projection After Jake Arrieta, Trevor Williams Signings

Cubs rotation projection after Arrieta, Williams signings originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

As much as the Cubs starting rotation has changed this offseason, it looks quite different from even just a few weeks ago after two late-winter additions

Following the signing of right-hander Trevor Williams, team president Jed Hoyer said the Cubs could add more starting pitching leading up to spring training. That came true on Friday, with the club’s agreement on a reunion with free agent Jake Arrieta, pending a physical.

The additions of Williams and Arrieta, both on one-year deals, add two veteran arms to a rotation that has lost four this offseason in Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, José Quintana and Tyler Chatwood. Williams comes over after five seasons in Pittsburgh, while Arrieta returns to Chicago, his home from 2013-17, after three seasons in Philadelphia.

That added rotation experience will be especially important this season to cover the innings increase from 2020. Hoyer recently said the Cubs are looking at needing seven or eight starters in 2021, “given the fact that people are going to have some innings restrictions” following last season’s 60-game schedule.

Manager David Ross now has at least six starters at his disposal, with a handful of other options in the picture as well. How does that group stack up? Glad you asked.

With spring training right around the corner, here’s an early (and updated) Opening Day rotation projection.