The Chicago Cubs are running hot with the best bullpen in MLB since the middle of May, while veterans Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd are righting the ship in the starting rotation during Shōta Imanaga’s absence. However, the team knows it still needs pitching help to make a deep run in the postseason and Jed Hoyer confirmed the Cubs trade rumors this week.
Hoyer was a guest with New York Post baseball reporters Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, joining the duo on Monday’s episode of The Show. When asked about what the Cubs will do at the trade deadline Hoyer shot down the notion of needing to add on offense and made it clear that despite the success of the pitching staff so far in 2025, pitching is the focus on the trade market.
Via The Show.
“I think we’ll be looking for pitching, for sure. I think our guys have done a really good job at stepping up…But yeah, I think we’ll be looking for pitching, both rotation and in the bullpen. And that’s not a secret. It’s not a knock on the guys we have, but i think in today’s game you got to keep building depth.”
It hasn’t been a secret and since the calendar flipped to June trade rumors have been heating up. Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine recently said that he expects the Cubs to be aggressive, trying to make a trade or two before the month of June comes to an end.
So, who could the Cubs be going after in the next month and a half? For now, let’s lock in on starting pitchers.
The Aces
Chris Sale: 36-years-old, team control through 2026
The Atlanta Braves continue to slide in the standings and with a 28-38 record they’re currently fourth in the NL East and 9.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot. Sale is only under team control for one more season at 36-years-old Atlanta has to give a lot of consideration to cashing in on a Sale trade now, as the lefty is putting up another monster season.
Sale could be the No. 1 starter on the trade market this summer if the Braves decide to sell and the Cubs have the farm system to get a deal done.
Sandy Alcántara: 29-years-old, team control through 2027
The 2022 Cy Young Award winner is in his first season back after undergoing Tommy John surgery following the 2023 season. Alcántara was a mess to begin the 2025 season, but he’s slowly coming back around and has now put together back-to-back good starts for the Miami Marlins.
Yes, the opponents have been weak, as Alcántara has shut down the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates, but he’s certainly pitching like his old dominant form regardless of who’s been in the batter’s box.
The Cubs and Marlins had trade talks in the offseason and actually had a deal in place for lefty starter Jesús Luzardo. That trade fell through after the Cubs were worried about Luzardo’s medicals. The point is, the Marlins are well aware of the Cubs’ farm system and if Hoyer does feel emboldened to make a big move, then Alcántara will certainly be on his radar.
Surprise Trade Partners
Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers have struggled to get above .500 for the past three weeks and while I don’t think Jacob deGrom is in the realm of possibility for the Cubs Tyler Mahle could certainly become an option. Mahle had Tommy John surgery in 2023, limiting him to five starts that season and only three starts in 2024.
Now, fully back from the elbow surgery Mahle has posted a 2.34 ERA in 14 starts with the Rangers. Mahle will be a free agent after the 2025 season.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Unless the Arizona Diamondbacks go on an insane run during the next month their best chance of getting into the playoff picture in the NL will be through the Wild Card. The Diamondbacks just lost their ace Corbin Burnes for the season and at 33-34 they could very well be in selling mode in July.
If Arizona does look to sell, then Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will be attractive trade targets for any contender, including the Cubs. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers has already speculated their one of those two Diamondback starters could end up on the Cubs.
Baltimore Orioles
Talk about underachieving. The Baltimore Orioles have already fired their manager Brandon Hyde in 2025, and things haven’t really improved. The Orioles are 14 games back and in last place with a 26-39 record in the AL East and are 8.5 games back of the third Wild Card spot.
One bright spot in their starting rotation this year has been right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, who signed a one-year, $13 million deal. The 35-year-old is having a good debut season in MLB after pitching for the Yomiuri Giants from 2013-2024 in Japan. Sugano has a 3.23 ERA in 13 starts with the Orioles.
Another veteran on Baltimore’s staff is Charlie Morton. The 41-year-old has struggled over this year with a 6.59 ERA in 56 innings, but he’s been better as of late. Since May 10, Morton has a 2.96 ERA in 24.1 innings with 29 strikeouts.
