On the same day the St. Louis Cardinals made their first free-agent signing of the offseason, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly in talks with one of their former starting pitchers.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs are negotiating a one-year deal with free-agent pitcher Lance Lynn, who previously pitched for the Cardinals. Lynn, who returned to St. Louis last season after several years away, has been searching for a new team and is open to both starting and bullpen roles.
Seeing Lynn, known for his fiery demeanor, on the other side of the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry would be unusual. While the Cardinals did not have a spot for him on their roster, it is still surprising to imagine him wearing a Cubs uniform. St. Louis declined their club option on Lynn this offseason to cut costs, given their depth in the rotation.
Lynn, 37, spent six seasons away from the Cardinals before rejoining them in 2024. He struggled with the White Sox and Dodgers in 2023, posting a 5.73 ERA over 32 starts, but rebounded with a 3.84 ERA in 23 starts for St. Louis. Despite his improved performance, he logged only 117.1 innings, often being pulled early from games despite his solid run prevention.
Before his departure from St. Louis, Lynn was a key member of the Cardinals’ rotation for five seasons, having also contributed from the bullpen during their 2011 World Series run. His consistency made him a sought-after asset for teams like the Twins, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, and Dodgers in the years that followed.
Lynn’s exact role with the Cubs remains uncertain, but he could begin as a starter while also being a bullpen option if needed. Given his familiarity with the NL Central, he would provide the Cubs with a seasoned veteran presence as they compete for the division title in 2025.