Cubs interested in former White Sox, Red Sox 4.30 ERA All-Star

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TL;DR

The Chicago Cubs are exploring options to bolster their pitching staff after losing Cade Horton to elbow surgery. They are reportedly interested in free agent Lucas Giolito, who has a 4.30 ERA and was an All-Star in 2019.

Cubs interested in former White Sox, Red Sox 4.30 ERA All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs lost right-hander Cade Horton for the year after he required elbow surgery.

Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, and Jordan Wicks are on the injured list as well. For the Cubs to contend in the National League, they may need an insurance arm.

According to a report from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Chicago is one of two clubs showing some level of interest in a starter who is a free agent.

"Lucas Giolito, a 2012 first-round Draft pick and an All-Star in 2019, is drawing interest from both the Cubs and Padres, per sources, though it’s unclear whether either club is prepared to make a move at this point," Feinsand wrote Tuesday.

Giolito, 31, made 26 starts last season with the Boston Red Sox, posting a 3.41 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 145 innings. He made his Major League debut in 2016 with the Washington Nationals and spent seven years as a frontline starter with the Chicago White Sox from 2017-23.

After signing a two-year, $38.5 million deal with the Red Sox, he may have been searching for a similar figure.

More: Red Sox never close on Astros’ Isaac Paredes trade

“There’s still guys available, so you certainly have those conversations,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told Feinsand.

“But I do feel like we went into the season with some depth in the rotation. That was a goal. And some of those guys have pitched really well. So, I think you always have to look at external things. … We never stop that, but it’s also not something that is top of mind. But, certainly, we’re constantly looking for upgrades. I think you have to do that.”