Good news! Cubs close in to bring back this former fan-favorite starting pitcher, manager Craig Counsell confirms.
Good news! Cubs close in to bring back. On the same day the St. Louis Cardinals finally made their first free-agent signing of the offseason, rumors started swirling that the Chicago Cubs might be bringing back a familiar face to their pitching staff.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs are in talks with veteran pitcher Lance Lynn, discussing a possible one-year deal. Lynn, who spent last season with the Cardinals after a long stretch away from St. Louis, is on the hunt for a new team. While he’s primarily been a starter throughout his career, he’s reportedly open to taking on a bullpen role if necessary.
Seeing Lynn in a Cubs uniform would be strange, to say the least. He’s always been a fiery competitor, and picturing him on the other side of the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry might take some getting used to. St. Louis, however, has moved on. They declined his club option this offseason, opting to save money and prioritize their younger pitching options instead. Good news! Cubs close in to bring back.
At 37, Lynn has bounced around in recent years. He struggled in 2023, posting a rough 5.73 ERA across 32 starts with the White Sox and Dodgers. But when he returned to the Cardinals in 2024, he showed flashes of his old self, delivering a solid 3.84 ERA in 23 starts. One concern, though, is durability—Lynn pitched just 117.1 innings last season, often getting pulled early despite keeping runs off the board.
His history with the Cardinals runs deep. He played a crucial role in their rotation for five seasons, and before that, he was a key bullpen arm during their 2011 World Series run. Over the years, he’s been a steady, reliable presence, which is why teams like the Twins, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, and Dodgers all took a chance on him at some point.
As for what role he’d play with the Cubs? That’s still up in the air. Most likely, he’d start in the rotation, but given his experience and adaptability, he could also shift to the bullpen if needed. One thing’s for sure—he knows the NL Central inside and out. And if Chicago is serious about making a push for the division title in 2025, adding a veteran like Lynn could be a smart move. Good news! Cubs close in to bring back.
