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The Chicago Cubs have done a nice job of plugging in a couple of veteran starters into a rotation that was mostly void of major league-caliber talent at the end of the season. The additions of Scott Baker and Scott Feldman gives the front office some sense of security as they prepare to attend baseball's winter meetings beginning Sunday in Nashville. The Cubs will most likely be looking to add more depth for the rotation over the winter. "We felt like we had to add at least two starting pitchers as we went into the winter," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday. "We will continue to look for talent. If that talent is in the rotation then we wouldn't consider ourselves done. We would certainly add someone else." The fan base might not be impressed by Feldman, who was 6-11 with a 5.09 ERA last season, and Baker, who is coming off Tommy John surgery. But the front office is trying to increase the inventory of serviceable major league starters while retaining roster flexibility. This type of roster planning gives the team a chance to either trade veterans that they sign to flexible deals or re-sign them during the season to extensions. The rotation will be far better off with a healthy Matt Garza to lead the way along with Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood and the two new additions. "We are excited about the two guys we have added, and we believe they will provide a lot of quality innings for us," Hoyer said. "As far as where the rotation stands right now we are still looking to get better and looking to add talent all over the team." The Cubs' payroll is at about $65 million, down from $108 million at its peak in 2012. They will not be afraid to add some payroll through the winter.
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