If you bring in someone better than Stroman, you’re not “replacing” Stroman in any real sense. Stroman is still there.
All for bringing in that #1 guy but keep in mind that only 18 Qualified Starting pitchers in NL with ERA below 4.00. Stroman at 3.50 a #2 guy. Not at very top, but top end. Will be happy if can acquire another guy like that. Would be very happy with two legit, established #2s at top end of rotation.
Rodon was a #1 in 2022. But, Rodon and Stroman have had very similar careers. One guy got 2/$44 before this season; other guy got 2/$50. Stroman has pitched one additional year and has 3.4 more bWAR, basically a wash. Their career ERA+ is almost identical (116/115).
Should not surprise anybody if Stroman is as good or better than Rodon in 2023, given how similar their careers have been. If turns out Cubs have both in 2023 and they have seasons similar to their career comps, that would be a very good outcome. Not Burnes/Woodruff but that would be, at minimum, similar to 2022 Cards Mikolas/Wainwright top end duo and can win with that.