Report: Cubs interested in adding Ross to rotation
The Chicago Cubs front office took care of the bullpen earlier this week with the additions of Koji Uehara and Wade Davis, and now Theo Epstein and Co. have their eyes on the rotation.
Tyson Ross has caught the Cubs' attention, with the club reportedly involved in discussions with the free-agent right-hander that extended after the winter meetings wrapped up Thursday, sources told Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
The 29-year-old was a surprise addition to a weak free-agent starting pitching market earlier this month when the San Diego Padres opted to non-tender him in order to avoid paying him the projected $9.5 million he was due through arbitration.
Ross was the Padres' most dominant starter over a three-year stretch from 2013-15, where he posted a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 526 strikeouts over 516 2/3 innings.
Injuries derailed his 2016 campaign however, as Ross made just one start before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that eventually required surgery in October to relieve symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. He's expected to be sidelined for four-to-six months.
Ross represents an intriguing option for the Cubs. They have Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks, and John Lackey locked up in the rotation, and are looking to make Mike Montgomery a starter. Adding Ross would give them further depth, allowing him to completely recover from his injury without any pressure, while having some security should they need to move Montgomery back to the bullpen.
There's no shortage for Ross' services, with the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly expressing early interest.