Cubs Trade For Beleagured Starter Aaron Civale

[Rcal10]

3 hours ago, Jason Ross said:

Two things can be true at once:
1. Aaron Civale is a pretty boring acquisition. He's...whatever. He is familiar to the staff and organization, he's a human with a heartbeat and two arms attached and he probably won't be very impactful.
2. Jed Hoyer isn't a bad VP of Ops for grabbing him on July19th. 

If someone like Reid Detmers was readily available today for a price you'd be okay with paying, he'd have been traded by now. More likely the Angels are holding to a very valuable position as they hold the power; there are very few clear sellers currently and have little reason to lower their price. 

We don't need to throw a fit every time the Cubs acquire someone less than Tarik Skubal or claim Hoyer is just sleepwalking through the deadline. There's 16 days between today and the deadline; strap in because it won't really heat up for two weeks.

This is exactly the point. Sure Civale might not be anything. But trading for him does not warrant a response like Jed is a bum. If this is all we get, then I will not be happy. But thrbCubs FO is just trying to plug holes now keeping the Cubs in contention until teams decide if they will be dumping or not. It certainly doesn’t help that almost the entire AL has a chance. Hopefully some drop in the next 10-12 days. Cubs could help that along by winning the rest of this homestand. 

[squally1313]

This trade is fine. 
 

in terms of the bigger picture, I’m beyond tired of the narrative of how much it’s going to cost or whatever. We have a drastic, glaring need. Figure out what it takes to acquire a good starter and a good reliever and then actually go out and do it. We’re on at least year two, probably more of it being likd this. Adjust to the market. It’s an insult to the group of position players to insist that Jefferson Rojas and his salary suppressed control is too important and we should just be happy with Justin Steele throwing in Arizona in August as The Real Acquistion. 

[Victor Reichman]

I still like Dean Kremer of Baltimore. Baltimore is a very long shot to get a playoff slot.  Not a frontline starter, but really good stuff.

 

[Jason Ross]

7 minutes ago, squally1313 said:

This trade is fine. 
 

in terms of the bigger picture, I’m beyond tired of the narrative of how much it’s going to cost or whatever. We have a drastic, glaring need. Figure out what it takes to acquire a good starter and a good reliever and then actually go out and do it. We’re on at least year two, probably more of it being likd this. Adjust to the market. It’s an insult to the group of position players to insist that Jefferson Rojas and his salary suppressed control is too important and we should just be happy with Justin Steele throwing in Arizona in August as The Real Acquistion. 

I'm fine to wait out a few weeks right now when we consider:
1. The price being asked today
2. The perceived price tomorrow
3. And the opportunity cost of acquiring today versus tomorrow. 

I'm fine if the prices today are insane and you suspect that over the coming 16 days that extra teams entering the selling market will give you more options (maybe a pitcher you like better) or drive the price down on the guy you like. The difference between two starts of "guy the Cubs have" and "the guy the Cubs want" might not be that massive that it necessitates the price hike. 

If it's August 4th, the deadline has passed and we're still talking about cost-prohibitive trades? I'll be anything but fine, and likely will be pretty pissed off because you're right, there comes a point when the narrative is old and the Cubs at some point need to take the plunge. 

It's impossible to know what the asking prices are right now and I'll be patient for 16 days. But it's 16 days and the clock is ticking.

[Backtobanks]

40 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I'm fine to wait out a few weeks right now when we consider:
1. The price being asked today
2. The perceived price tomorrow
3. And the opportunity cost of acquiring today versus tomorrow. 

I'm fine if the prices today are insane and you suspect that over the coming 16 days that extra teams entering the selling market will give you more options (maybe a pitcher you like better) or drive the price down on the guy you like. The difference between two starts of "guy the Cubs have" and "the guy the Cubs want" might not be that massive that it necessitates the price hike. 

If it's August 4th, the deadline has passed and we're still talking about cost-prohibitive trades? I'll be anything but fine, and likely will be pretty pissed off because you're right, there comes a point when the narrative is old and the Cubs at some point need to take the plunge. 

It's impossible to know what the asking prices are right now and I'll be patient for 16 days. But it's 16 days and the clock is ticking.

Whatever the asking price is now is certainly not going to go down at the deadline when you have all of the contenders bidding for the same player(s).

[squally1313]

39 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

I'm fine to wait out a few weeks right now when we consider:
1. The price being asked today
2. The perceived price tomorrow
3. And the opportunity cost of acquiring today versus tomorrow. 

I'm fine if the prices today are insane and you suspect that over the coming 16 days that extra teams entering the selling market will give you more options (maybe a pitcher you like better) or drive the price down on the guy you like. The difference between two starts of "guy the Cubs have" and "the guy the Cubs want" might not be that massive that it necessitates the price hike. 

If it's August 4th, the deadline has passed and we're still talking about cost-prohibitive trades? I'll be anything but fine, and likely will be pretty pissed off because you're right, there comes a point when the narrative is old and the Cubs at some point need to take the plunge. 

It's impossible to know what the asking prices are right now and I'll be patient for 16 days. But it's 16 days and the clock is ticking.

Yeah this is all fair/correct, I think. The difference between July 19 and July 31 is probably minimal, although I can see the division getting tight. The frustrated tone comes from A. everything that did/didn't happen last year, and B. the fact that needed top line starting pitching from the jump, and we're now 98 games into the year with our best position player group in baseball per fWAR dragging us to the 5th best record in baseball. This wasn't a problem created by Cade Horton getting hurt, though it certainly didn't help. We went out of our way to block pretty much every top prospect we have for the foreseeable future. Go get something for them. 

[Jason Ross]

9 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

Whatever the asking price is now is certainly not going to go down at the deadline when you have all of the contenders bidding for the same player(s).

I don't agree with that at all. The same pressure the Cubs have on them to buy will be applied to any team with pitchers who have limited control left and need to sell. On top of that, more teams coming to terms with their current situation (let's say Detroit, SF, SD, Minnesota, etc) can infuse the market with other options. 

Today the Angels can probably stand very firm knowing that if you want controlled SP from a team it's Reid Detmers or take a hike buddy. When you add in Joe Ryan, Logan Webb and others, the ability for LAA to remain as firm isn't going to be there. The same for rental SPs when you add in someone like Casey Mize to the discussions. 

None of that says "it's going to get a whole lot cheaper!" But between today and the 3rd the market will become a lot more clear and there's a good chance that the secondary pieces will drop from "cost prohibitive" to "a lot, but acceptable". And that's probably worth waiting it out for two weeks. The two starts the guy you get makes probably isn't worth trading a prospect you really don't want to lose to someone you don't *want* to lose but can swallow it. It's a dance. Patience probably pays off here, but prospect hugging won't. 

[squally1313]

everything that did/didn't happen last year, and then the (potentially made up!) rationalizing of 'well they asked for owen caissie AND jaxon wiggins, that would have been absolutely insane!' like this organization would be in shambles without the about to be 25 year old who might, maybe, one of these days, actually show something in AAA*.

7 starts, 22 innings, 19 walks. thank god we were responsible and decided that was more important than having literally anyone better than colin rea starting a game 5. no offense to jaxon wiggins, seems like a cool dude.

[731.4life]

1 hour ago, squally1313 said:

This trade is fine. 
 

in terms of the bigger picture, I’m beyond tired of the narrative of how much it’s going to cost or whatever. We have a drastic, glaring need. Figure out what it takes to acquire a good starter and a good reliever and then actually go out and do it. We’re on at least year two, probably more of it being likd this. Adjust to the market. It’s an insult to the group of position players to insist that Jefferson Rojas and his salary suppressed control is too important and we should just be happy with Justin Steele throwing in Arizona in August as The Real Acquistion. 

Yeah, I can't wait for Jed to not trade for a high quality arm, and come out and tell the media that "we treated getting Justin Steele back as a trade deadline acquisition." 

[Rcal10]

3 minutes ago, 731.4life said:

Yeah, I can't wait for Jed to not trade for a high quality arm, and come out and tell the media that "we treated getting Justin Steele back as a trade deadline acquisition." 

It didn’t happen yet, however. Maybe wait to criticize him until he actually deserves criticism. I will be there with you if he does nothing. Honestly, this year they have to get a quality starter and at least one high quality pen arm. I don’t care the cost. No excuses. Get it done. If someone is going to do it, it better be them. 

Edited 17 hours ago by Rcal10

[731.4life]

1 hour ago, Jason Ross said:

I'm fine to wait out a few weeks right now when we consider:
1. The price being asked today
2. The perceived price tomorrow
3. And the opportunity cost of acquiring today versus tomorrow. 

I'm fine if the prices today are insane and you suspect that over the coming 16 days that extra teams entering the selling market will give you more options (maybe a pitcher you like better) or drive the price down on the guy you like. The difference between two starts of "guy the Cubs have" and "the guy the Cubs want" might not be that massive that it necessitates the price hike. 

If it's August 4th, the deadline has passed and we're still talking about cost-prohibitive trades? I'll be anything but fine, and likely will be pretty pissed off because you're right, there comes a point when the narrative is old and the Cubs at some point need to take the plunge. 

It's impossible to know what the asking prices are right now and I'll be patient for 16 days. But it's 16 days and the clock is ticking.

I agree and I also disagree. When you look at the deadline and the starting pitchers and their market, I think there's enough track record to see in some starting pitchers, the asking price won't change.

Sonny Gray comes to mind. Do I think Boston trades him now? Don't think so knowing what Breslow is thinking. But if they were to sell, and sell now. His market is as high as it'll ever be. 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA, and has postseason experience with a good sweeper. 1-2 bad starts won't change my mind on him when it comes to the asking price. Same goes for Joe Ryan.

When it comes to Reid Detmers, he has good stuff but hasn't been able to put it together consistently. If organizations are waiting until 8/3 to see if the asking price comes down, then something tells me I don't want the pitcher anyway. Not 100% a red flag but scared to make a move with the Angels. Didn't want to trade Ohtani for Caminero, scared to trade Trout, but needs to (understand he has a NTC), but they're probably asking the moon for Detmers.

[731.4life]

7 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

It didn’t happen yet, however. Maybe wait to criticize him until he actually deserves criticism. I will be there with you if he does nothing. Honestly, this year they have to get a quality starter and at least one high quality pen arm. I don’t care the cost. No excuses. Get it done. If someone is going to do it, it better be them. 

I thought he should've did that at last years deadline, but failed. I know the starting asking price was high, but it needs to be matched. We couldn't beat Milwaukee because of that reason, as we gave up way too many runs in the 1st inning in that series.

What's tougher is the demand of starting pitchers seem to be going down. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

This might be one of the worst deadlines in history

[Jason Ross]

13 minutes ago, 731.4life said:

I agree and I also disagree. When you look at the deadline and the starting pitchers and their market, I think there's enough track record to see in some starting pitchers, the asking price won't change.

Sonny Gray comes to mind. Do I think Boston trades him now? Don't think so knowing what Breslow is thinking. But if they were to sell, and sell now. His market is as high as it'll ever be. 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA, and has postseason experience with a good sweeper. 1-2 bad starts won't change my mind on him when it comes to the asking price. Same goes for Joe Ryan.

When it comes to Reid Detmers, he has good stuff but hasn't been able to put it together consistently. If organizations are waiting until 8/3 to see if the asking price comes down, then something tells me I don't want the pitcher anyway. Not 100% a red flag but scared to make a move with the Angels. Didn't want to trade Ohtani for Caminero, scared to trade Trout, but needs to (understand he has a NTC), but they're probably asking the moon for Detmers.

There are lots of things I want today, but I know if that if I wait a better deal very well may come across my desk. Everything, everything is opportunity cost. 

No team is going to make a decision based on 1-2 starts and that isn't what I'm suggesting. But market dictates price. Right now, who are the defined selling teams? There really aren't many! The Angels, Rockies, Mets, A's, and Royals are probably the five most likely to sell. Which of those teams have controlled pitching? You've got Detmers, Wacha and Holmes with Detmers in a very different tier of "has more than 1 more year of control, is young, and has upside". As of now it's a one-stop-shop if that's what you want. 

Once the Giants decide they're sellers, once one of the Twins/Tigers decide they're sellers (or both!), if the Jays decide they're sellers, if the Orioles decide they're sellers...you begin adding other shops. Logan Webb and Joe Ryan are likely in the same tier as Detmers in terms of a combination of quality/control. And then you add in different organizations with different wants and evaluations of your prospects...

The reality is that while I don't think you're looking at Reid Detmers at super-discount prices, it's a good chance that will added sellers, different options that you find the best deal by allowing the market to get clarity. And the best deal may not end up being Reid Detmers anyways.

There isn't a single pitcher that is just so good you pay whatever price is out there right now. Framing it as "well if you don't want me at my most expensive than you can't possibly think I'm any good" is a pretty poor way of reading a market. The Cubs are going to look to get the best deal possible. Waiting two weeks will give them an opportunity to do so. 

If the Cubs come out of the deadline with another Colin Rea/Jameson Taillon/Javier Assad/Aaron Civale type as the fix to the rotation I think we should all be pretty upset. But there are 16 days to get that to happen and allowing the organization who has an infinitely better read on what the asking prices are than you or I to to negotiate that is the correct course of action. On day 17, then have at it if they balk.

[731.4life]

2 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

There are lots of things I want today, but I know if that if I wait a better deal very well may come across my desk. Everything, everything is opportunity cost. 

No team is going to make a decision based on 1-2 starts and that isn't what I'm suggesting. But market dictates price. Right now, who are the defined selling teams? There really aren't many! The Angels, Rockies, Mets, A's, and Royals are probably the five most likely to sell. Which of those teams have controlled pitching? You've got Detmers, Wacha and Holmes with Detmers in a very different tier of "has more than 1 more year of control, is young, and has upside". As of now it's a one-stop-shop if that's what you want. 

Once the Giants decide they're sellers, once one of the Twins/Tigers decide they're sellers (or both!), if the Jays decide they're sellers, if the Orioles decide they're sellers...you begin adding other shops. Logan Webb and Joe Ryan are likely in the same tier as Detmers in terms of a combination of quality/control. And then you add in different organizations with different wants and evaluations of your prospects...

The reality is that while I don't think you're looking at Reid Detmers at super-discount prices, it's a good chance that will added sellers, different options that you find the best deal by allowing the market to get clarity. 

There isn't a single pitcher that is just so good you pay whatever price is out there. Framing it as "well if you don't want me at my most expensive than you can't possibly think I'm any good" is a pretty poor way of reading a market. The Cubs are going to look to get the best deal possible. Waiting two weeks will give them an opportunity to do so. 

If the Cubs come out of the deadline with another Colin Rea/Jameson Taillon/Javier Assad/Aaron Civale type as the fix to the rotation I think we should all be pretty upset. But there are 16 days to get that to happen and allowing the organization who has an infinitely better read on what the asking prices are than you or I to to negotiate that is the correct course of action. On day 17, then have at it if they balk.

I think Skubal is the only pitcher that will qualify. I know he pitched against the Angels last night, but he's good. Just damn good. I would love to see him with the Cubs, or Tampa Bay as well.

The Giants are sellers. Not sure why they're waiting, and Logan Webb should be available. I don't think you have to wait until 8/3 to trade for him, if the Cubs like him. 

I'm afraid the asking is going to be too high to the point where the Cubs are scared to match it, and go for Wacha for a cheap price, and it doesn't work. Rinse and repeat from the deadline isn't the best thing for them. So, while adding an arm is important, I think it's just as important to see if/who they add that arm, is enough. Can't make a move just to make a move either.

[Jason Ross]

13 minutes ago, 731.4life said:

I think Skubal is the only pitcher that will qualify. I know he pitched against the Angels last night, but he's good. Just damn good. I would love to see him with the Cubs, or Tampa Bay as well.

The Giants are sellers. Not sure why they're waiting, and Logan Webb should be available. I don't think you have to wait until 8/3 to trade for him, if the Cubs like him. 

I'm afraid the asking is going to be too high to the point where the Cubs are scared to match it, and go for Wacha for a cheap price, and it doesn't work. Rinse and repeat from the deadline isn't the best thing for them. So, while adding an arm is important, I think it's just as important to see if/who they add that arm, is enough. Can't make a move just to make a move either.

The Detroit Tigers have won 9 of 11 games and reside in the AL Central. There's a very, very real chance that they're in this thing and I do not believe either Skubal or Mize are on the market today. It's another reason to wait 16 days: Skubal and Mize on the market changes the math across the board. The Cubs see Detroit on Monday and can help sink them.

As it pertains to the Giants, I wouldn't presume anything. Buster Posey hasn't really been a very easy read and runs them in a pretty wild fashion. From reports, they aren't entertaining offers on Logan Webb right now. Maybe that's true, maybe it's posturing. Maybe that means you can get him cheaper because Posey is, in my estimation, not great at his job right now. Maybe him being not very good at his job means he'll refuse to trade him. I think the Giants should be sellers, I have no confidence to suggest they believe that right now, however.

I know we're all worried they'll fall back on Michael Wacha, but I think we're just doing what fans do and worry. Last deadline was a bummer. Many people on this website went into the offseason like a bunch of wet blankets and while I think the Cubs could have done more, they signed the biggest contract they had signed since Swanson and made a trade for a controlled SP with upside trading a top-50/75 prospect in doing so. This is the same man who traded for Parades at the deadline, went big on Kyle Tucker and while the name isn't as exciting, grabbed the best hitter on the deadline in Candelario a few years ago. There is plenty of track record to suggest the Cubs will put forth a real effort. I understand the reason for pessimism, but I think there's plenty of reason to remain cautiously optimistic as well.

From my perspective, I'll save the worry for 17 days from now. I don't know what the Cubs will do, but I think there's a very good chance that worry will be largely wasted and I'll save the energy. And if they stand pat, then I'll throw some anger down on August 4th.

[Rcal10]

Another thing to consider is perhaps Shaw comes back in the next week. He adds a trade chip for a controlled pitcher. We have no idea what teams are looking for. Maybe a team like the Angels like Shaw. Maybe they need to know he is healthy and then they will talk about Detmer to the Cubs. Same could be said for any other team looking to trade a pitcher. Hopefully Shaw comes back soon. Even if he isn’t traded it does give the Cubs another asset they can offer. 

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Rcal10 said:

Another thing to consider is perhaps Shaw comes back in the next week. He adds a trade chip for a controlled pitcher. We have no idea what teams are looking for. Maybe a team like the Angels like Shaw. Maybe they need to know he is healthy and then they will talk about Detmer to the Cubs. Same could be said for any other team looking to trade a pitcher. Hopefully Shaw comes back soon. Even if he isn’t traded it does give the Cubs another asset they can offer. 

Based on recent reporting. Shaw isn't going to be back in a week. He still has soreness in his wrist. It's more likely that he needs the week, then a short rehab stint. I doubt he's back for any significant time before the ASB.

With that said, I doubt another team is worried about it if they're goin to trade for him, either.

[Stratos]

Replacement level SP.  Better to have than not i guess.

There's like 20 teams over or around .500 and about 10 teams squarely out of the race.  Going to be really tough to get good pitchers this deadline.  I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Rcal10]

13 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

 

With that said, I doubt another team is worried about it if they're goin to trade for him, either.

I don’t agree with this. I would think a team would want to know he was healthy. Or know it isn’t a chronic issue.
It is also possible a team like the Guardians might be willing to trade a controlled starting pitcher for someone like Shaw in a package. Shaw is a controlled bat that can help them now, too. They stay in contention and deal from starting pitching strength while adding to the offense. They would absolute want to know he is healthy. Maybe it is totally meaningless and has no bearing on anything, but maybe it could. 

[Jason Ross]

15 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I don’t agree with this. I would think a team would want to know he was healthy. Or know it isn’t a chronic issue.
It is also possible a team like the Guardians might be willing to trade a controlled starting pitcher for someone like Shaw in a package. Shaw is a controlled bat that can help them now, too. They stay in contention and deal from starting pitching strength while adding to the offense. They would absolute want to know he is healthy. Maybe it is totally meaningless and has no bearing on anything, but maybe it could. 

It's a sprained wrist. Nothing suggests it's chronic. He's very young. 

They aren't going to take our word for it, obviously a team is going to look at the medicals. But if he's back in a week and a half, or two weeks, or right around the deadline, no team is calling off the trade, either.

This isn't like he has a busted elbow as a pitcher. In injury terms, this is a molehill; not a mountain.

[Backtobanks]

4 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Another thing to consider is perhaps Shaw comes back in the next week. He adds a trade chip for a controlled pitcher. We have no idea what teams are looking for. Maybe a team like the Angels like Shaw. Maybe they need to know he is healthy and then they will talk about Detmer to the Cubs. Same could be said for any other team looking to trade a pitcher. Hopefully Shaw comes back soon. Even if he isn’t traded it does give the Cubs another asset they can offer. 

Hoyer already blew his chance to get top value for Shaw last off season.  Jed loves to over value his prospects when he needs to make a big deal.  

[Dfan25]

Pretty good chance Civale will get some innings with Taillon going tomorrow . If not maybe he gets piggybag with Peterson . I absolutely hate Taillon is kicking Asad out btw . I read something about the Cubs getting an extra year of control with Asad if he goes down 15 days . 

[PeanutPunch33]

On 7/18/2026 at 7:02 PM, ILMindState said:

Guaranteed you complained about the Quintana trade for years.

Probably not any more than the next guy.  I respected the effort of making a move, even if it didn't work out.  I've said the same thing about the Parades trade.  Most of us can accept when they lose a trade.. we can't accept not trying 

[Arlen]

On 7/18/2026 at 5:01 PM, Bertz said:

He was really really good for us last September in long relief by simply spamming cutters way more than he ever had before or since.  Hopefully it's just that simple to get him back there.

Zackly. Remember, remember, those days in September...