It wasn't the only reason the Chicago Cubs fell short of beating the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, but a battered and bruised rotation certainly didn't help matters.
The front office has taken that to heart this winter, aggressively adding pitching depth in all forms to ensure a winner-take-all Game 5 bullpen game never has to happen again.
First, Shota Imanaga returned via the qualifying offer. Then, there was the Edward Cabrera trade. Add in a bunch of minor-league signings — plus a rebuilt-from-the-ground-up bullpen — and it's clear that the Cubs' starting five (Cabrera, Imanaga Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon) will be well supported in 2026.