With eye on ‘27, Cubs could look for starters before trade deadline
How can the Cubs get better at the trade deadline?
Logic suggests another bullpen arm is the biggest need. Keep in mind, though, there might be more options among starting pitchers, and the Cubs will need to rebuild the rotation next year.
Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga and Colin Rea are at the end of their contracts. Matthew Boyd has a mutual option, so he could potentially become a free agent. If the Cubs could improve their current group with a starter that sticks around, it might make sense.
Taillon returned to the mound Monday, after being sidelined since June 7 with a left hamstring strain. But Wrigley Field wasn't very welcoming. Taillon surrendered 2 homers and 4 runs in the first inning.
He settled down after that and finished with just the 4 runs allowed in 4 ⅓ innings, on 5 hits and 6 strikeouts. Taillon left the mound with two on and one out in the fifth, before Ryan Rollison retired Riley Greene and Dillon Dingler — the players that hit the first-inning home runs — to end the inning.
The Cubs lost to Detroit 8-6 in 10 innings. They missed a great chance to end the game in the ninth when Dansby Swanson led off with a double, but Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman struck out to end the threat.
With the wind blowing out, the Cubs chipped away at the 4-0 deficit, getting back-to-back homers from Suzuki and Michael Busch in the third inning. Finally, a clutch 2-run homer by Ian Happ tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth.
In the top of the 10th, Cubs reliever Trent Thornton was struck by a line drive near his foot and limped off the field. Javier Assad came in and limited the damage, but the Tigers scored 3 times on two infield singles, an error by Nico Hoerner and 2-run single against a drawn-in infield.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke about trade possibilities last Friday, saying he expects pitching to be the target, and the fact that so many teams are in wild-card contention limits the options.
Manager Craig Counsell was asked before the game if assumes relief pitching is the trade-deadline goal.
“I don't think there's any specific (need),” Counsell said. “You're just looking for help. Just make the team better right now. Most teams are in the same spot. There's a lot of ways to make the team better.”
The top-line starters might be a big ask. Even if Detroit was looking to trade ace Tarik Skubal, who is not scheduled to face the Cubs, Hoyer has seemed averse to risking an expensive, long-term deal on a pitcher, considering the injury risk.
The next wave probably includes Minnesota's Joe Ryan, plus the Angels' Jose Soriano and Reid Detmers. No telling if those players will be made available, but the Cubs might be willing to part with top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins to get an established starter. Boston's big win streak probably eliminates Sonny Gray from deadline talk.
OK then, moving on to pitchers who might be easier to acquire. There are a decent amount from the few teams seemingly out of playoff contention.
Clay Holmes, Mets RHP: He's 33, with a 2.39 ERA this season and is 95th percentile in ground ball rate. The problem is, he was struck by a line drive on May 15 and suffered a broken leg, with an August return the goal.
Freddy Peralta, Mets RHP: Counsell knows him well from the Milwaukee years, but Peralta's 4.66 ERA is his worst in seven years, and that was before he gave up 7 runs in his return to Brew Town on Monday. He was a good pitcher, but seems to be in decline.
Robbie Ray, Giants LHP: Ray, 33, sports a 3.33 ERA, his best since winning AL Cy Young with Toronto in 2021. His StatCast ratings don't look great, but an effective change-up has kept him successful.
Foster Griffin, Nationals LHP: Returned to MLB after three years in Japan and made the all-star team with a 2.68 ERA. His average fastball velocity is 91.4 miles per hour, but it's been an effective pitch, and Griffin has seven straight starts allowing 1 run or less. Interesting choice if available.
Michael Wacha, Royals RHP: The 14-year veteran has a 3.77 ERA and made the all-star team. Has two more years on his deal.
Shane Bieber, Blue Jays RHP: Often injured, but just blanked the White Sox a few days ago; a free-agent to be.
Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays RHP: Skills are slipping, but could be easy to get if teams want to take on his $23-million expiring contract.
Kris Bubic, Royals LHP: If Hoyer is in a gambling mood, he could inquire about this 28-year-old lefty. Bubic posted a 2.67 ERA as a reliever in '24; 2.55 as a starter in '25. But he's on the injured list with shoulder soreness. A rehab start was canceled on July 1, followed by a cortisone shot. Needless to say, a return is not imminent.