Cubs 2025 Trade Deadline Thread

[PeanutPunch33]

5 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Cubs are tied in team wRC for the year with 117. Third in baseball in July. There is plenty of offense. The Brewers are rolling out Joey Ortiz every day (worse than Shaw). The Padres are (for now) rolling out Elias Diaz (worse than Shaw). The Dodgers have given 200 PAs at a 74 wRC to Enrique Hernandez and Michael Conforto has a negative fWAR on the year. Tyrone Taylor has a 58(!) wRC in 295 PAs for the Mets. This isn't a unique problem. 

It's not a unique problem, but that's what made the opportunity so unique to me.  They could have truly trotted out a super team offensively.  Like I mentioned I'm just scared of the Phillies and all those lefties.  In that scenario, Busch is probably hitting the bench - so they could have used another guy with some pop 

[Tryptamine]

11 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

No one needs to remind me what Horton could be. I've been the highest person on Horton since draft day when everyone hated it. 

But the Cubs will probably have to get a little irrational to get the guy they want. And if you traded Horton, but kept Wiggins, I think you can find a way where the pain isn't as bad. That also depends on how the Cubs internally view Wiggins vs Horton, too. There's lots of things here. 

I'm just saying, there's a world it makes sense even if it hurts to say it.

I mean they can trade Horton, but I don't want much going back with him. I surely don't want Horton+Caissie+ another notable prospect.

[Neuby]

The Padres if they keep Cease and Suarez are now the team to beat in the NL. 

[Jason Ross]

5 minutes ago, Dfan25 said:

Yeah , if they are trading Cassie / Wiggins , I prefer Ryan and get Castro with him . I am not confident that Gore would be able to handle the expected workload of an ace until October .

Gore has thrown 133, and 166 innings the last two years. He probably has 10-11 starts left in 2025 regular season. Season velo is 95.3and last 5 was 95.1. There's nothing there that suggests he can't push to 175 innings right now. 

[squally1313]

2 minutes ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

It's not a unique problem, but that's what made the opportunity so unique to me.  They could have truly trotted out a super team offensively.  Like I mentioned I'm just scared of the Phillies and all those lefties.  In that scenario, Busch is probably hitting the bench - so they could have used another guy with some pop 

Eh. The Cubs are better against LHPs than the Phillies are. Shouldn't they be worried about Boyd and Shota and potentially another coming in the door today? Those one or two home runs (maybe!) don't mean a whole lot if they reduce the deficit to 8-4 in the 7th. 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Tryptamine said:

I mean they can trade Horton, but I don't want much going back with him. I surely don't want Horton+Caissie+ another notable prospect.

I would guess, and just guessing if the Cubs did that Horton would be there to save real prospect capital. Maybe Horton, Caissie and then keep the rest of your Wiggins, Rojas, Alcantara, Ballesteros group. 

[KCCub]

2 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Eh. The Cubs are better against LHPs than the Phillies are. Shouldn't they be worried about Boyd and Shota and potentially another coming in the door today? Those one or two home runs (maybe!) don't mean a whole lot if they reduce the deficit to 8-4 in the 7th. 

Not meaning to jump into the middle of your guys debate, but the Phillies are hot and heavy after a RH OF bat. Robert Jr, Laureano, etc. 

[chibears55]

16 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Tigers grab Kyle Finnegan, he was mentioned with the Cubs a few times.

For 2 A ball pitchers

[PeanutPunch33]

8 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

Eh. The Cubs are better against LHPs than the Phillies are. Shouldn't they be worried about Boyd and Shota and potentially another coming in the door today? Those one or two home runs (maybe!) don't mean a whole lot if they reduce the deficit to 8-4 in the 7th. 

To me though, both Ranger and Sanchez are on a different level than what we have in the rotation.  If the Cubs get Gore though, that would make us very Phillies-like.  

[PeanutPunch33]

6 minutes ago, KCCub said:

Not meaning to jump into the middle of your guys debate, but the Phillies are hot and heavy after a RH OF bat. Robert Jr, Laureano, etc. 

IMO, we should have been too.  Maybe they can still snag a better 1st base platoon for Busch? 

[KCCub]

29 minutes ago, Bertz said:

It doesn't matter.  A few years ago when the Cards had Goldschmidt and Arenado and Contreras at the peak of their powers maybe you worry, but not right now.  If anything it might be a plus.

Yep, just get the best SP you can get. If we really want to go into micro details for matchups - Harper/Schwarber/Ohtani/Freeman/Muncy/Soto/Nimmo are all possible playoff matchups. Of course those teams have RH sticks as well, but there's a lot of high level lefty hitters that our LH dominate rotation could hopefully neutralize. 

[KCCub]

Just now, PeanutPunch33 said:

IMO, we should have been too.  Maybe they can still snag a better 1st base platoon for Busch? 

We've been connected to Castro, who has a 131 wRC+ on the year against LHP. He can play every position besides 1b/C. So landing him would give you some options against LHP.

[gflore34]

So Jed has until 4PM ET today?  Is there a small buffer after 4 or is it hard deadline?

Edited July 31, 2025 by gflore34

[17 Seconds]

Just now, gflore34 said:

So Jed has until 4PM ET today?  Is there a small buffer after 4 or is it hard deadline?

6

[KCCub]

 

There's the Phillies RH OF bat. 115 wRC+ on the year against LHP

Edited July 31, 2025 by KCCub

[chibears55]

8 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I would guess, and just guessing if the Cubs did that Horton would be there to save real prospect capital. Maybe Horton, Caissie and then keep the rest of your Wiggins, Rojas, Alcantara, Ballesteros group. 

Is Ballesteros a legit Catcher though as far as him being on the 2026 roster as a 2nd Catcher behind Amaya because unless theres an OF shakeup and Suzuki is no longer the main DH, I dont see Ballesteros being in the 2026 plan that gets him 400-500 AB.

 

[PeanutPunch33]

3 minutes ago, KCCub said:

We've been connected to Castro, who has a 131 wRC+ on the year against LHP. He can play every position besides 1b/C. So landing him would give you some options against LHP.

I didn't realize he was that good against lefties.  That would be a very shrewd move.  

[chibears55]

3 hours Jed, let go

[17 Seconds]

Just now, chibears55 said:

3 hours Jed, let go

5 hours

[UMFan83]

Just now, chibears55 said:

3 hours Jed, let go

Lets make Jed believe there is only 3 hours to go so he makes a deal before the fanbase panics

Edited July 31, 2025 by UMFan83

[Jason Ross]

Just now, chibears55 said:

Is Ballesteros a legit Catcher though as far as him being on the 2026 roster as a 2nd Catcher behind Amaya because unless theres an OF shakeup and Suzuki is no longer the main DH, I dont see Ballesteros being in the 2026 plan that gets him 400-500 AB.

 

Ballesteros could have lots of routes
1. Don't resign Tucker and he's the DH
2. Trade Happ or Suzuki in their last year of their deals - not impossible even with NTC - Ballesteros DH
3. PCA didn't start with the MLB roster in 2024 he got 410 PAs

Worst case he will be 22 years old. If he got another 200 PA's in Iowa he won't die.

[gflore34]

2 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

6

6 is a hard deadline?

[muntjack]

I love Gore but it's worth remembering that he has been very good, not elite.  His fastball is pretty average in terms of shape, velo, etc. 

Projecting improvement is not crazy,  however.  He's still just 26.  

He has two years of team control after this year.  

Overall,  I'd say Ryan is the more valuable guy,  but not by a huge margin.  

Cabrera hasn't made that leap yet, but I think it's coming. Might be my #1 choice if it means keeping our big names. 

[17 Seconds]

Just now, gflore34 said:

6 is a hard deadline?

we'll know everything that went down by 6:10

[Jason Ross]

Just now, gflore34 said:

6 is a hard deadline?

6pm est is the deadline. As always there may be trades that are announced afterwards.