The Chicago Cubs traded for starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, and according to multiple MLB and team insiders, they’re not done trying to upgrade their rotation before the trade deadline passes Monday night.
It appears the cost of rental pitchers isn’t as high as in previous years, but maybe “down” seasons for some of these notable starters are what’s keeping prices relatively low. The New York Mets didn’t net much for Freddy Peralta, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, while experts lampooned the Toronto Blue Jays for their return from the Cubs in the Gausman deal.
The Cubs have reportedly been interested in both the rental and controllable starting pitching market, but even after acquiring Gausman, who is a free agent following the 2026 season, the Cubs aren’t shying away from any of their trade targets.
Via The Athletic.
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Currently, the Cubs have Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, Javier Assad and Colin Rea in their rotation. Once Gausman joins the team, it’s likely that Rea or Assad will move to the bullpen. Edward Cabrera, who will make his second rehab start this week, should be back by mid-August.
Still, the Cubs don’t appear to be done adding to their rotation. A starter under control beyond 2026 would be ideal, but the Cubs came into these final hours before the deadline hoping to come away with multiple arms, and they don’t believe their work is done.
So, if the Cubs aren’t done attempting to get another starting pitcher, who are they still targeting?
Controllable SP Trade Targets
From the Los Angeles Angels:
Reid Detmers | 27-years-old, team control through 2028
2026 Stats: 22 GS, 125 IP, 4.03 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 28.3 K%, 7.4 BB%, 1.10 WHIP
Jose Soriano | 27-years-old, team control through 2028
2026 Stats: 22 GS, 123 IP, 3.29 ERA, 3.79 FIP, 24.9 K%, 11.2 BB%, 1.25 WHIP
From the Seattle Mariners:
George Kirby | 28-years-old, team control through 2028
2026 Stats: 21 GS, 127 IP, 3.76 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 21.0 K%, 5.0 BB%, 1.28 WHIP
Emerson Hancock | 27-years-old, team control through 2030
2026 Stats: 20 GS, 110.1 IP, 3.26 ERA, 3.74 FIP, 23.3 K%, 6.2 BB%, 1.04 WHIP
Out of those four pitchers, it appears as though Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano are much more realistic at this point, considering the Seattle Mariners already traded Luis Castillo to the White Sox, clearing a big chunk of payroll and erasing the logjam in their starting rotation. Plus, the interest in Emerson Hancock was recently downplayed in The Athletic.
Between Detmers and Soriano, the Cubs are rumored to be far more intrigued by Detmers, the left-handed pitcher who has big strikeout numbers in 2026 and is backed up by great metrics.
Oh, well so much for Soriano to the Cubs.
Rentals
From the New York Mets:
Clay Holmes | 33-years-old, $13 million salary ($12 million player option for 2027)
2026 Stats: 9 GS, 52.2 IP, 2.39 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 20.9 K%, 8.4 BB%, 1.10 WHIP
From the Cincinnati Reds
Brady Singer | 29-years-old, $12.75 million salary
2026 Stats: 21 GS, 107.2 IP, 4.35 ERA, 5.17 FIP, 19.0 K%, 7.5 BB%, 1.42 WHIP
The Cubs have already had success trading for David Peterson from the New York Mets in 2026, and Clay Holmes fits a similar mold. The right-handed pitcher was great in 2025, was great again to begin this year, but has missed the last two months after a line drive fractured his right fibula.
Holmes is an elite ground ball pitcher and would do very well with the Cubs’ defense.
As for Singer, he’s one of the newer names linked to the Cubs in trade rumors. It may be difficult to agree on a deal with a division rival, but it’s not like a trade is completely out of the window between the Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds either. While Singer’s overall numbers are poor in 2026, the right-handed pitcher has a 2.70 ERA in his last 10 starts.
Other starting pitchers that have been connected to the Cubs at some point this year are Robbie Ray and Casey Mize.
