Starting rotation options available now

[Bertz]

On 7/21/2025 at 8:58 AM, Bertz said:

- I expect the team to add at least one pitcher with a 5+ ERA and peripherals that say it should be two runs lower 

- I expect the team to take on some bad 2025 money to defray prospect costs.  Someone like Raisel Iglesias is perfect, because he checks this box and the one above

Annnnd Raisel just got spotlight by Sharma in the Athletic this AM

[Geographyhater8888]

On 7/25/2025 at 5:15 PM, PeanutPunch33 said:

Anybody that wants Edward Cabrera - I challenge you to pull up his baseball reference page, then pull up Javier Assad's, and see who's been the better player since 2023 when healthy.  Is that the guy you want to trade 3 great prospects for? 

 

Just to add to what’s already been said, Assad had a 2.47 ERA in Wrigley last season which was the most pitcher friendly park in baseball and a 4.87 away, without the wind knocking down every ball behind a golf glove middle infield and PCA who’s a human golden retriever. Beyond just the surface level stats the eye test alone tells you their upsides are worlds apart and Assad was way too human outside of Wrigley’s pitcher friendly conditions.

Edited July 27, 2025 by Geographyhater8888

[Bertz]

Curious if anything happens today.  Last year IIRC Pearson was Saturday, Paredes was Sunday, and then Leiter was on the actual deadline Wednesday.

[Geographyhater8888]

What is Alcantaras trade value at currently and how likely is it that’s he’s dealt compared to Rojas, Bellestaros, Wiggins or Cassie? I haven’t heard much about him lately.

[gflore34]

15 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Curious if anything happens today.  Last year IIRC Pearson was Saturday, Paredes was Sunday, and then Leiter was on the actual deadline Wednesday.

If a trade for a Marlins pitcher or pitchers is in the works you'd think it would happen today.  Whomever it is would just stay in Milwaukee and could potentially start for the Cubs, dependent on their pitching schedule, Wednesday.  After checking, both Cabrera (last start 07/22) and Alcantara (07/23) should be able to go Tuesday or Wednesday.

Edited July 27, 2025 by gflore34

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

If a trade for a Marlins pitcher or pitchers is in the works you'd think it would happen today.  Whomever it is would just stay in Milwaukee and could potentially start for the Cubs, dependent on their pitching schedule, Wednesday.

That is my thought as well. It would be an easy move to make today. And either Marlin pitcher can pitch on Tuesday. I just have a feeling if they do get one of those two about of this fanbase will be upset at the cost. But they do need a rotation piece. 

[Rcal10]

19 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Curious if anything happens today.  Last year IIRC Pearson was Saturday, Paredes was Sunday, and then Leiter was on the actual deadline Wednesday.

I hope something happens today. 🤞

[JD94]

Nightengale says Cubs are targeting Keller and would give up Caissie for him 

ETA: I would assume they wouldn’t do Caissie for Keller straight up, but only if it included Bednar also? 

Edited July 27, 2025 by JD94

[Donzo]

6 minutes ago, JD94 said:

I would assume they wouldn’t do Caissie for Keller straight up, but only if it included Bednar also? 

I think so... Cassie for Keller- no... Cassie + mid prospect for Keller and Bednar- yes.

[Tryptamine]

7 minutes ago, JD94 said:

Nightengale says Cubs are targeting Keller and would give up Caissie for him 

ETA: I would assume they wouldn’t do Caissie for Keller straight up, but only if it included Bednar also? 

Caissie for Keller would not make me happy. Not that I don't think Keller is solid, but his contract is not that hugely different than it would be in FA. There's certainly a discount there, but i don't think it's big enough to warrant Caissie when Keller as a pitcher is more solid than good.

[KCCub]

I’ve got my hopes up for Gore guys. I’m prepared to be disappointed.

 

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Caissie for Keller would not make me happy. Not that I don't think Keller is solid, but his contract is not that hugely different than it would be in FA. There's certainly a discount there, but i don't think it's big enough to warrant Caissie when Keller as a pitcher is more solid than good.

Sadly I do think the price for Keller is Cassie. Too many buyers and not enough sellers. I think either Cassie or Alcantara goes for either Keller, Cabrera or Alcantara. And depending on which one, maybe an additional price also has to be added. 

[Tryptamine]

Cross Bubic off the list, he's currently having shoulder issues.

[Neuby]

 A deal for Keller feels like the Quintana trade 2.0

[cubfansince77]

16 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

You probably asked Jason. But I can also answer. I would want Cabrera. For one thing, he has one more year. He is also cheaper and he is pitching better now. 

I agree with you for the most part, but what about his elbow? Creaky lately and a concern IMO

[NorthsideAvenger]

Not against trading Caissie but I hope the Cubs shoot higher than Keller.

[Rcal10]

6 minutes ago, Neuby said:

 A deal for Keller feels like the Quintana trade 2.0

It does. And I know you are saying it critically. However Q did go 7-3 with the Cubs the year they got him. In 84 innings he struck out almost 100 guys and pitched to a low 3 era. If Keller did that, I would be happy. And there is always a possibility Cassie turns into Jimenez. Just don’t want to lose two top guys in this one. Honestly I don’t want to lose any, but I do think the cost will be higher than people will be happy with. 

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Not against trading Caissie but I hope the Cubs shoot higher than Keller.

Are Cabrera and Alcantara higher to you? They are to me. I would rather take a chance at a TOR guy then get a steady MOR pitcher for Cassie. You are not getting Gore or Ryan unless they add several more pieces to Cassie. Do we want that? 

[cubfansince77]

13 hours ago, gflore34 said:

Soroka it is, I know we like him, given his profile and the Cubs affinity for reclamation projects, he might be a realistic option.

I think you are correct: they do like him and trust that their pitch lab can get more out of him which is entirely possible. Jed was QUOTED about 2 weeks ago saying they are looking at guys who might have negative overall numbers but their talent level can be tapped by the Cubs.

My gut tells me if they can't land Gore (cost will be steep and it's a bit of a long shot) then this could be their fall back option. I'm not sold on either Cabrera (elbow acting up lately) or Alcantara who is just having a bad year. I do acknowledge that Alcantara fits the mold of what Jed was talking about. I found it:

"Hoyer has hinted at the possibility of acquiring pitchers who may be available due to struggles with their current teams, but who could potentially benefit from a change of scenery and contribute to the Cubs"

Edited July 27, 2025 by cubfansince77

[Rcal10]

Looking more at the idea of Keller and Bednar. That would be something I could like. If they could get those two by dealing Cassie and maybe Triantos or someone in that area, I think I would do it. Even if they had to add another small piece I would be fine. But I think that probably won’t be enough. When we start to get to Cassie, Triantos and Gallagher it gets harder to accept. But it might take that much. It does help the rotation and is a huge boost to the pen. If the Cubs think there is another level to Keller, you might see something here. 

[PeanutPunch33]

2 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Just to add to what’s already been said, Assad had a 2.47 ERA in Wrigley last season which was the most pitcher friendly park in baseball and a 4.87 away, without the wind knocking down every ball behind a golf glove middle infield and PCA who’s a human golden retriever. Beyond just the surface level stats the eye test alone tells you their upsides are worlds apart and Assad was way too human outside of Wrigley’s pitcher friendly conditions.

My eye test disagrees.  Assad has 3 consecutive seasons with an ERA under 4, a feat that Cabrera might do for the first time this year, even though they are the same age and Cabrera has more big league experience.

Assad has had a better career FIP and ERA+ than Cabrera going into this season.  It also seems generally agreed upon that Assad is one of those guys who's ERA can outpace his FIP by a decent margin because he doesn't give up a lot of home runs (at least, until 2024, although I wonder how much his injury(s) that year played a part) 

A lot of pitchers have weird home/road splits.  Kyle Hendricks dealt with that for a number of seasons his entire career.  

Yes, his baseball savant page will never compare to Cabrera, who has better stuff.  But I'm all about results.  I could get behind a Cabrera trade but to me, he's much more in that Assad/Taillon camp than he would be Shota/Steele/Boyd.  For me, I think they need to get a true TORP.  The opportunity is there. 

 

[Rcal10]

7 minutes ago, cubfansince77 said:

I think you are correct: they do like him and trust that their pitch lab can get more out of him which is entirely possible. Jed was QUOTED about 2 weeks ago saying they are looking at guys who might have negative first half numbers but their overall talent level can be tapped by the Cubs.

My gut tells me if they can't land Gore (cost will be steep and it's a bit of a long shot) then this could be their fall back option. I'm not sold on either Cabrera (elbow acting up lately) or Alcantara who is just having a bad year. I do acknowledge that Alcantara fits the mold of what Jed was talking about. I found it:

"Hoyer has hinted at the possibility of acquiring pitchers who may be available due to struggles with their current teams, but who could potentially benefit from a change of scenery and contribute to the Cubs"

Hard to see them getting Gore. They are dealing with an interim GM. I don’t see how that could work. Hope they are holding things up because they are waiting on Gore. I don’t see it happening. 

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

My eye test disagrees.  Assad has 3 consecutive seasons with an ERA under 4, a feat that Cabrera might do for the first time this year, even though they are the same age and Cabrera has more big league experience.

Assad has had a better career FIP and ERA+ than Cabrera going into this season.  It also seems generally agreed upon that Assad is one of those guys who's ERA can outpace his FIP by a decent margin because he doesn't give up a lot of home runs (at least, until 2024, although I wonder how much his injury(s) that year played a part) 

A lot of pitchers have weird home/road splits.  Kyle Hendricks dealt with that for a number of seasons his entire career.  

Yes, his baseball savant page will never compare to Cabrera, who has better stuff.  But I'm all about results.  I could get behind a Cabrera trade but to me, he's much more in that Assad/Taillon camp than he would be Shota/Steele/Boyd.  For me, I think they need to get a true TORP.  The opportunity is there. 

 

Who are these guys they have an opportunity to get that are TOR starters? And for what? Do you want to give up 3 top 100 prospects plus a couple of other young high ceiling guys for a sure TOR starter. Easy to say opportunity is there. But when it comes to cost, it gets harder. 

[gocubs218]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Who are these guys they have an opportunity to get that are TOR starters? And for what? Do you want to give up 3 top 100 prospects plus a couple of other young high ceiling guys for a sure TOR starter. Easy to say opportunity is there. But when it comes to cost, it gets harder. 

Yes, I would do that package for Joe Ryan and Willi Castro in a second.

[PeanutPunch33]

5 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Who are these guys they have an opportunity to get that are TOR starters? And for what? Do you want to give up 3 top 100 prospects plus a couple of other young high ceiling guys for a sure TOR starter. Easy to say opportunity is there. But when it comes to cost, it gets harder. 

I'd do it for Ryan.  And the Cubs definitely have enough ammunition to get him without giving up Caissie.  Wiggins, Ballesteros, Brown, Birdsell, Triantos, Hernandez - the Twins can pick 3 from that list and I think they'd walk away happy, so would the Cubs.