The Chicago Cubs are looking to add to their pitching staff at the trade deadline, according to Jed Hoyer, Chicago’s President of Baseball Operations. Hoyer appeared on the New York Post’s The Show podcast, saying, “I think we’re going to be looking for pitching, both rotation and in the bullpen… I don’t think that’s a secret. That’s not a knock on the guys we have. But I think in today’s game, you’ve got to keep building depth.”
Cubs baseball president Jed Hoyer tells us what they expect to be looking for at the deadline. Lots of PCA and Tucker talk in the rest of the interview
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Hoyer: Cubs Looking for Pitching Help After Injury-Plagued Start to Season
The Cubs’ rotation has dealt with some devastating injuries so far in 2025. The club’s ace, Justin Steele, was only able to make four starts this year before tearing his UCL and having to undergo Tommy John surgery. They lost Shota Imanaga to a hamstring injury in early May, and he just made his first rehab start on Monday. Javier Assad has also yet to appear this season after suffering an oblique injury in spring training and later reaggravating his injury during his rehab.
Chicago’s rotation has still managed to succeed despite the numerous injuries they have suffered. Ben Brown and Colin Rea have done solid jobs stepping in for Steele and Assad, and the club’s top pitching prospect, Cade Horton, has pitched to a 4.11 ERA in his first six career starts while filling in for Imanaga.
Cubs to be Active in Trade Market
With the club sitting at the top of the National League Central at 40-26, now is a perfect time for the club to make a splash in the pitching market. One of the potential names the Cubs could target on the pitching market is former Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcántara. Alcántara is off to an abysmal start this season after recovering from Tommy John surgery, pitching to a 7.89 ERA in 12 starts so far. There is a chance that Alcántara may not be the same pitcher he was before tearing his UCL, but the Cubs may be willing to take the risk in hopes of adding a frontline starter.
The Cubs were also linked to the San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease in the offseason and tried to make a deal, but ended up falling short. With the Padres being in the hunt in the NL West, the Padres may be inclined to keep Cease for the rest of his contract season. Other options for rotation and bullpen help may include Andrew Heaney, Tyler Mahle, Pete Fairbanks, and Kyle Finnegan.
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