MLB Rumors: Cubs Have Interest In 2 Free Agent Lefties


The Chicago Cubs have made a lot of impressive moves this winter to upgrade their starting pitching and their offense. The bullpen gets the focus now, and they're rumored to have interest in two key left-handers on the free agent market. 

According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, they're interested in bringing back a familiar mustachioed face, in Andrew Chafin, and/or fellow lefty Matt Moore. 

Chafin was with the Cubs in 2021, and had a breakout season, posting a 2.06 ERA in his four months with the club, before they dealt him at the trade deadline to Oakland. He continued his success in 2022 with the Detroit Tigers, pitching to a 2.83 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a 67:19 K/BB ratio in 57 innings. 

Moore is an 11-year veteran, and has one All-Star appearance to his credit, from a decade ago with the Tampa Bay Rays. He was a starter back then, going 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA.

2022 marked his complete transition to the bullpen, and it was more than successful. He was dominant in the Texas Rangers 'pen, posting a 1.95 ERA with five saves, and he was extremely tough to hit, surrendering only 49 hits in 74 innings pitched. His ERA+ of 203 was over twice as good as the average pitcher. 

Neither of them will come cheap, so we'll see how serious the Cubs are about acquiring them. 

Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports