Ever since the All-Star Break ended, the Cubs have looked inconsistent to say the least. They are 5-6 in their last eleven games and have struggled in a number of areas. They have given up at least 8 runs five times in those last eleven games. Their starting rotation is shaky as ever, and their bullpen is slowly declining. Additionally, certain players are slumping at the plate, and the team is not converting as a whole when it matters. While this isn’t a sign to start panicking because there is a ton of season left, there are many acquisitions that can be made before the deadline to give them the needed boost. Although they won’t get everything they want, here are some players who could make a difference.
Trades The Cubs Should Make
The Biggest Hole
Throughout this year, the Cubs’ biggest issue has widely been their starting pitching. They have been hit with injury upon injury, forcing them to make some tough decisions. While many guys have held their ground within their role, they don’t currently have a World Series-level rotation. But there are a few tradeable players out there that could reinforce their rotation. They have been connected to quite a lot of pitchers, but some stand above the rest.
The first candidate is Marlins’ RHP Edward Cabrera. He has been extremely solid this year and is a highly sought-after pitcher. He has a 3.35 ERA in 94.0 IP this year and has something that no Cubs starter has: strikeout stuff. Cabrera has a 9.2 K/9 in 2025, which is more than any current Chicago starter. He is above average in chase, whiff, and strikeout percentage, and also has a 10 breaking run value, putting him in the 98th percentile. Cabrera has only gotten better as the season has progressed, and would increase the power of the Cubs’ rotation by a monumental amount. He may cost the Cubs a good amount, but in the end, he would be well worth it.
Another great pitcher on the market is Nationals LHP Mackenzie Gore. Gore is extremely similar to Cabrera, other than the fact that he may cost slightly more. This is solely because he is under team control through 2027. He has a 3.52 ERA in 117.2 innings so far in 2025. He is an even bigger strikeout threat than Cabrera with an 11.0 K/9. Some more of their similarities are their chase, whiff, and strikeout percentages, as Gore is even higher than Cabrera. With the potential that Gore holds and the possibility for control through 2027, he would be a wonderful get, but he holds a lot of risk due to the return the Cubs would be forced to give. The Cubs won’t get both of these guys, but either one of them would be huge for their rotation going forward.
The Growing Issue
The Cubs’ bullpen, up until recent weeks, has been one of the best in the MLB. But recently, aside from a few guys, they have been on the decline. They will certainly need another arm or two for the ladder part of the season. The market for relievers this year is quite slim, especially after Emanuel Clase’s suspension, so they are all fairly expensive. Which relievers could be the right fit for the Cubs?
One guy the Cubs have shown interest in is Rays’ closer Pete Fairbanks. He has a 2.75 ERA this year and 18 saves in twenty-one opportunities. It is unclear how willing the Rays will be to move him before the deadline, but he would be great for the Cubs. He doesn’t have crazy strikeout numbers, but he induces a lot of ground balls and a ton of soft contact. He is very consistent, which is exactly what the Cubs need. Once again, no reliever is going to be cheap this year, but the Cubs desperately need another arm in the bullpen.
Nationals closer, Kyle Finnegan, is another solid option. He could very well be packaged with MacKenzie Gore if a deal is done with him. While his numbers aren’t as appealing, he can hold his own and was an all-star in 2024. He has twenty saves in twenty-six opportunities this season to go along with a 4.38 ERA.. If the Cubs were able to throw him in with MacKenzie Gore for a cheap price, he would be worth it. Even though the options are waning among relief pitchers, the Cubs must get one or two more bullpen arms to solidify their pitching staff. Fairbanks is a one of the best options out there with Finnegan as a nice backup plan.
The Big Question Mark
There have been various reports that the Cubs are also going after a bat via trade. This started as a call to replace Matt Shaw at third base after his rough first half. But Shaw has completely taken off since the All-Star break and looks like a new player. On the contrary, Ian Happ has been playing some of the worst baseball of his career. He was also just put on the IL after a foul ball to his shin area. This begs the question of whether or not the Cubs will look to trade for another bat.
The most obvious choice as of late has been Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez. Suárez this year has had extreme power numbers with 36 homers, making him a trade target for many contenders. He is a bat that anyone would want on a team, which makes him expensive for a one-year rental. In theory, if the Cubs traded for him, Seiya Suzuki could move to the outfield, Matt Shaw could stay at third, and Suárez could DH. While this is all hypothetical, it makes even more sense with Happ’s recent injury. The Cubs have shown heavy interest in him, but the return the D-Backs want may just be too much.
One other interesting player is Twins’ utility man, Willi Castro. Castro’s numbers don’t stick out, but he would be a great player to have. The switch-hitter has a .750 OPS this year with ten home runs. Although a field player is most likely at the bottom of the Cubs’ list right now, Castro would be a solid get at a decent price because of his consistency and versatility. While the Cubs’ offense has been a force this year, there have been some struggles as of late, and a new bat in the lineup could be the change needed. In no sense should the Cubs overpay for a one-year rental in the field, but getting one at a good price would be extremely beneficial.
Main Photo Credits: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
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