Starting rotation options available now

[Rcal10]

19 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

I be surprised if that were the case . I could see a Houser type as a 2nd add , but not the main one . I am expecting 2 SP and 1?reliever added ( maybe 2 depending on how they see Pomeranz ) going forward 

I think if they get 2 starters they will not get 2 pen arms too. Maybe not any. With 2 starters that moves Rea or Horton to the pen. If Assad comes back and when Tailon comes back that puts Assad and whoever didn’t go to the pen after trading for 2 staters, to the pen. The rotation would have two pitchers they traded for, Imanaga, Boyd and Taillon. The pen would have Rea, Horton and Assad in it along with Theilbar, Keller, Brasier, Palencia and probably Pressley or Pomeranz. I guess if they went two rentals for the rotation they could aim high for a closer type guy like Clase or a bit lower like Iglesias. But I wouldn’t bother with a middle relief pitcher. IMO they have that covered. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, gflore34 said:

Of Lugo or Soroka we prefer Soroka?  I do believe the Cubs will solve a lot of his problems, there's also the boost he'll get in coming to a team in the playoff race.

Are you asking or telling us “we prefer Soroka”? I’m not sure who “we” represents, so I can’t tell you who “we” prefer. For me, if the Cubs got a low risk solid starter, and Soroka cost less than Lugo, I would prefer Soroka. But if they went high risk high reward with the other pitcher, I would prefer Lugo over Soroka.

[Rcal10]

30 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

As the 2nd pitcher added , I be thrilled with Bieber 

I agree. But the first one has to be less risky. Even if it is a MOR starter, as long as he is pretty sure to give you what is expected, Bieber would be an excellent high risk high reward guy. 

[gflore34]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Are you asking or telling us “we prefer Soroka”? I’m not sure who “we” represents, so I can’t tell you who “we” prefer. For me, if the Cubs got a low risk solid starter, and Soroka cost less than Lugo, I would prefer Soroka. But if they went high risk high reward with the other pitcher, I would prefer Lugo over Soroka.

Meant you and I, strongly believe Soroka would cost less.

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Meant you and I, strongly believe Soroka would cost less.

Got it. But it was still worded as a question. Probably rightfully so. 😬Because honestly as I said in another post, I am not sure who I prefer. It depends on who the other pitcher is.!

[Layoutman]

Can't believe I'm typing this but - I hope the Cubs go cheap. Rental starters only please or ..... put your big girl panties on and go all in. 

Not a fan of Alcantara - let someone else figure him out. Keep the money off the books and the prospects in house. Lugo has a player option - the only way he exercises that is if he is hurt or gets lit up in the 2nd half and/or play offs. Keller is solid and affordable but is going to cost extra coming from us and I don't want to set them up. The Nationals are "listening" on offers for Gore. But there is little chance ownership is going to let an interim GM trade the org's top asset at the deadline, If he is traded it will be at the winter meetings. 

That leaves Cabrera and Ryan as the best remaining controllable arms. Are they both really available? I think you will have to overpay to get them. Packaging Willi Castro with Ryan you may have a strong argument to do so. If not now, then when? The Cubs are now in a dog fight just to win the division. The prospect cost will hurt, it should, Ryan is a nice controllable piece, and Castro can back up everything up outside of Pitcher and Catcher. Swapping Castro's bat for Shaw's is not a huge upgrade but you do not want to see him in a Brewers jersey.  If Jed makes this commitment, then hold on...go get Bednar...Clase...or....Miller (it's ok to dream).

The stress-free guaranteed way not to overpay at the deadline is to get Charlie Morton and Tyler Anderson along with Kyle Finnegan.  It's also a way to miss the playoffs and not get extended.  

Short Series 

Shota Imanaga
Joe Ryan
Mathew Boyd

7th: Brad Keller
8th: David Bednar
9th: Daniel Palencia
OR
7th: Brad Keller
8th: Daniel Palencia
9th: Emmanuele Clase

LHP Matchups as needed:
Caleb Thielbar
Drew Pomeranz

4th Starter/Long Relief
Horton / Taillon / Brasier

Edited July 25, 2025 by Layoutman

[Bull]

There has to be SOMETHING done by Sunday. 

You can't punt a game against the White Sox. You can't risk losing this series because you are pitching Brown on Sunday.

You also don't want to "waste" Boyd on the White Sox. 

As of right now, who pitches Sunday? Brown? Call up Birdsell for a spot? You have to make a trade by then. 

[PackLandVA]

Fairly certain Sunday will be an opener followed by Ben Brown. The Brewers series will be Boyd, Rea and Imanaga.

[Jason Ross]

27 minutes ago, Bull said:

There has to be SOMETHING done by Sunday. 

You can't punt a game against the White Sox. You can't risk losing this series because you are pitching Brown on Sunday.

You also don't want to "waste" Boyd on the White Sox. 

As of right now, who pitches Sunday? Brown? Call up Birdsell for a spot? You have to make a trade by then. 

Unless a trade is completed tonight for a pitcher who hasnt pitched in the last 2 days or so, it would be incredibly difficult for a player to be able to make it to travel to Chicago and be ready to start. 

[gflore34]

3 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Unless a trade is completed tonight for a pitcher who hasnt pitched in the last 2 days or so, it would be incredibly difficult for a player to be able to make it to travel to Chicago and be ready to start. 

Yes, regardless of a trade, I think we have to brace ourselves for one more bullpen game.  Hopefully, the last bullpen game and the last appearance of Brown in such a role.

Edited July 25, 2025 by gflore34

[Jason Ross]

2 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Yes, regardless of a trade, I think we have to brace ourselves for one more bullpen game.  Hopefully, the last bullpen game and the last appearance of Brown in such a role.

Yep! And I know the White Sox offense has been good over the last handful of games, but this is still the perfect time for a BP game. They're still a pretty bad, no good team. 

Help is coming. Just...probably closer to midweek.

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Jason Ross said:

Yep! And I know the White Sox offense has been good over the last handful of games, but this is still the perfect time for a BP game. They're still a pretty bad, no good team. 

Help is coming. Just...probably closer to midweek.

I would actually like to see something so that Rea doesn’t have to pitch in the Brewers series. Lugo went against Rea so obviously he would be ready. If they are close to something for any other pitcher who might be scheduled for either Sunday or Monday, that is another option for Tuesday. I really hope something is done by the end of the day tomorrow. 

[cubfansince77]

On 7/24/2025 at 10:20 AM, Jason Ross said:

I usually like Lance. And I like this post from him a bunch. Both on Wiggins but also that Sandy Alcantara is likely a better trade target than fans make him out to be.

I don't get it regarding Alcantara...dude is really struggling this season. What am I missing?

[Jason Ross]

10 minutes ago, cubfansince77 said:

I don't get it regarding Alcantara...dude is really struggling this season. What am I missing?

Top line numbers hide a lot of the good. His location has been terrible but all the stuff is there. Pitch shape and velocity is fine but he hasnt pitched for a while and he seems to be struggling with mechanics. Over the last month his arm slot is almost what it was pre-injury, its been a bit shallow. FanGraphs as well did an article showing his location+ was steadily improving month-by-month as well.

I know people are scared of the ERA, but I don't think he's immutable; and I think in the event the Cubs acquired him, they have a very defined and strong belief that the change is quick. It's an appeal to authority, but the Cubs kind of get thr benefit of the doubt here; they have been scrutinized (by myself!) over and over for signings like Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea and others, and they usually get it right. Outside of Ryan and Gore, he might be the guy capable of giving you the best playoff stuff on the market. Cease is probably there too, but he has had his own wonky season to a degree and how available he is...hard to tell.

[chibears55]

2 hours ago, Bull said:

There has to be SOMETHING done by Sunday. 

You can't punt a game against the White Sox. You can't risk losing this series because you are pitching Brown on Sunday.

You also don't want to "waste" Boyd on the White Sox. 

As of right now, who pitches Sunday? Brown? Call up Birdsell for a spot? You have to make a trade by then. 

Think it took late for any trade addition to come in and be ready to start on Sunday. 

 

[Stratos]

20 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I think if they get 2 starters they will not get 2 pen arms too. Maybe not any. With 2 starters that moves Rea or Horton to the pen. If Assad comes back and when Tailon comes back that puts Assad and whoever didn’t go to the pen after trading for 2 staters, to the pen. The rotation would have two pitchers they traded for, Imanaga, Boyd and Taillon. The pen would have Rea, Horton and Assad in it along with Theilbar, Keller, Brasier, Palencia and probably Pressley or Pomeranz. I guess if they went two rentals for the rotation they could aim high for a closer type guy like Clase or a bit lower like Iglesias. But I wouldn’t bother with a middle relief pitcher. IMO they have that covered. 

Yeah could be.  If they acquire 2 SP, even one, I could see them sticking Horton down in AAA to give him a rest like Brown and save him for Sept/Oct.

Hoyer doesn't spend much on relievers.  If we get any reliever it will probably be someone average at best.   Anyone better than that would be because the market fell out of some guy and they score a deal they couldn't pass up.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Bull said:

There has to be SOMETHING done by Sunday. 

You can't punt a game against the White Sox. You can't risk losing this series because you are pitching Brown on Sunday.

You also don't want to "waste" Boyd on the White Sox. 

As of right now, who pitches Sunday? Brown? Call up Birdsell for a spot? You have to make a trade by then. 

I dunno if Jed is going to make a trade based on 1 game.  Hoyer says trade prices drop dramatically in the last few days before deadline so things will probably go down to the wire.

[gflore34]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

Top line numbers hide a lot of the good. His location has been terrible but all the stuff is there. Pitch shape and velocity is fine but he hasnt pitched for a while and he seems to be struggling with mechanics. Over the last month his arm slot is almost what it was pre-injury, its been a bit shallow. FanGraphs as well did an article showing his location+ was steadily improving month-by-month as well.

I know people are scared of the ERA, but I don't think he's immutable; and I think in the event the Cubs acquired him, they have a very defined and strong belief that the change is quick. It's an appeal to authority, but the Cubs kind of get thr benefit of the doubt here; they have been scrutinized (by myself!) over and over for signings like Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea and others, and they usually get it right. Outside of Ryan and Gore, he might be the guy capable of giving you the best playoff stuff on the market. Cease is probably there too, but he has had his own wonky season to a degree and how available he is...hard to tell.

I watched a few of his starts, location is the biggest piece for him.  Seems he's got for few batters then loses it, I'd be delighted if the Cubs traded for him.  As you said, the stuff is there and the Cubs are good at fixing, he's really not that far off from being a TOR type.

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, cubfansince77 said:

I don't get it regarding Alcantara...dude is really struggling this season. What am I missing?

Id pass on him if they get him as their sole SP addition or as their choice to go between Imanaga and Boyd.

If he's that second SP addition to move Rea and or limit Horton and Taillon starts at the bottom of rotation, then im good with it.

For this season, I think Alcantara just in a uphill battle with recovery and trying to get himself right again after missing a year with surgery, now next season and after he could be the guy he once was and would be awesome to have in the rotation.

But I'd be very surprised if Hoyer spends good assets on him for this season. 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

Id pass on him if they get him as their sole SP addition or as their choice to go between Imanaga and Boyd.

If he's that second SP addition to move Rea and or limit Horton and Taillon starts at the bottom of rotation, then im good with it.

For this season, I think Alcantara just in a uphill battle with recovery and trying to get himself right again after missing a year with surgery, now next season and after he could be the guy he once was and would be awesome to have in the rotation.

But I'd be very surprised if Hoyer spends good assets on him for this season. 

I am going to trust the Cubs on Alcantara. If they trade for him, IMO, he will do well here. If they don’t trade for him I am okay with that as well. However, I would also want someone else if they get Alcantara. A more sure thing sort of guy. Kelly or Lugo, as an example. But Alcantara would be the guy the Cubs would hope to slot beteeen Boyd and Imanaga. He is a high risk high reward guy. 

Edited July 25, 2025 by Rcal10

[PackLandVA]

If available, does Dean Kremer move the needle for anyone.  He's been pretty solid since the start of May.

[Tryptamine]

36 minutes ago, PackLandVA said:

If available, does Dean Kremer move the needle for anyone.  He's been pretty solid since the start of May.

As a 2nd pitcher, sure, but he's not someone I want starting a playoff game. Also, what do you do with him next year? He's not starting over Steele, Shota, Boyd, Taillon and I'm not blocking Horton for him.

[Rcal10]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

As a 2nd pitcher, sure, but he's not someone I want starting a playoff game. Also, what do you do with him next year? He's not starting over Steele, Shota, Boyd, Taillon and I'm not blocking Horton for him.

You trade someone?🤷

[Tryptamine]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

You trade someone?🤷

But they're all better so why make the rotation worse?

 

[mul21]

8 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

As a 2nd pitcher, sure, but he's not someone I want starting a playoff game. Also, what do you do with him next year? He's not starting over Steele, Shota, Boyd, Taillon and I'm not blocking Horton for him.

Steele isn't going to be a rotation fixture until probably July, so I wouldn't bake him into your plans.  And that's if he comes back full strength.