There are enough question marks in the Cubs rotation that the addition of Julio Teheran on a minor league deal doesn’t necessarily mean the veteran starter is ticketed for a lengthy run in Iowa.
Chicago signed Teheran to a reported minor league deal Sunday. The 33-year-old has bounced around since his nine-year run with the Braves came to an end following the 2019 season, and he spent 2023 with Craig Counsell on the Brewers. He made one start this year with the Mets, but was designated for assignment and elected free agency upon clearing waivers.
Teheran made 14 appearances (11 starts) with the Brewers last season, pitching to a 4.40 ERA and 3-5 record. Now, he joins a Cubs rotation that has Jameson Taillon and Justin Steele dealing with injuries and Kyle Hendricks underperforming. Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad and Ben Brown have been rounding out the rotation.
That’s not exactly a proven group, and Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman said Tuesday on Mully & Haugh that he could see the Cubs giving Teheran plenty of starts.
“He was really good for Milwaukee last year,” Heyman said. “That was only a year ago, he’s not that old. Obviously, he threw a lot of innings early for the Braves, so he may not last as long as some others. But he’s pretty young, he was pretty good last year. You can never have too much pitching, sorry for the cliche, I think it’s a good signing.
“I’m sure there were many, many teams that were looking at him, and he sees an opportunity (in Chicago). So, I would think it’s not just insurance, I think they’re probably expecting him to make some starts for this team. They have enough questions, as you mentioned, between Steele, Taillon, and Hendricks, that he’ll probably make starts. He was very good last year for Milwaukee and Counsell knows him.
“I think it’s a good signing, a smart thing to do. I’m surprised he didn’t go to one of the more desperate teams like Houston, they’ve got a whole rotation worth of guys on the injured list right now. But maybe he wants to be on a team that looks like a contender, too, so probably smart for him to do this.”