Zack Greinke to the Cubs?

After an atrocious 2021 season from the starting rotation the Cubs need as much help as they can. Picking up Wade Miley and signing Marcus Stroman were two good moves made by the team in the offseason, but they could still use one more quality starter. The free agent market isn’t looking that great on the eve of the Cubs’ first spring training game, but they’re reportedly looking at veteran right-hander Zack Greinke.

As the #Cubs continue to remake their roster they are still engaged on multiple fronts to improve the rotation and the bullpen. One name they have been evaluating is veteran starter Zack Greinke. Expect multiple moves over the next few days. #TakeThat

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) March 16, 2022

Minutes after David Kaplan tweeted that about Greinke, Robert Murray broke the Steven Brault signing by the Cubs.

So, Greinke to the Cubs? I’d love it.

Hand up, I did not realize Greinke was still decent with the Astros in 2021. In his 18th MLB season Greinke made 29 starts for Houston and recorded a 4.11 ERA in 171 innings. Despite his age the right-hander has been consistent, not only taking the ball every five days and racking up more than 200 innings a year for the most part, Greinke’s still been a good to great pitcher. Yes, he regressed in 2021, but still, Greinke or Alec Mills?

Here is the Cubs starting rotation heading into the first spring training game Thursday.

Kyle Hendricks
Marcus Stroman
Wade Miley
Alec Mills
Justin Steele/Keegan Thompson/Steven Brault

Again, Cubs fans shouldn’t have any problem adding Greinke to that mix.

How much could Greinke cost if the Cubs do end up signing him? Well, MLB Trade Rumors predicted about $15 million on a one-year deal, while the folks over at FanGraphs came in at a lower projection between $8 million and $12 million on a one-year contract.