Matthew Lenz

The Chicago Cubs are willing to go all-in on in 2025. Though their farm system isn't deep, their top-end prospects are very close to the big leagues, which provides an intriguing option for any team that is looking to retool in the short term rather than rebuild over a longer timeframe. Mike Rodriguez is reporting "the front office is ready to consider offers for any young player, including top prospects, such as Moisés Ballesteros [sic], Jefferson Rojas, Kelvin Alcántara, and Cristian Hernández." Rodriguez doesn't mention Owen Caissie, but that's likely just an oversight rather than having a deeper meaning. In Baseball America's latest prospect rankings, Ballesteros, Caissie, and Rojas all make the top 100 prospects in all of baseball. Alcantara, who fell out of their top 100 in May, didn't flash in his cup of coffee with the club and has been an average producer for Triple-A Iowa. Hernandez, their one top prospect who isn't near the big leagues, has also been an average producer at High-A South Bend. As one of the best teams in baseball, are you open to the idea of the Cubs depleting their farm system in an effort to add at the deadline? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The Chicago Cubs are looking to bolster their bullpen and have been tied to multiple names on the market. Adding to the list of potential additions, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score is reporting that the Chicago Cubs have "discussed Baltimore Orioles' Seranthony Dominguez and Tampa Bay Rays Pete Fairbanks." It's worth noting that the Rays aren't sent on moving Fairbanks at the deadline. Dominguez is having a solid 2025 season, with Through 39 2/3 innings pitched across 41 appearances, he holds a 3.63 ERA. Dominguez continues to be a high-strikeout pitcher with a K% of 30.7%, however his walk rate has been a bit elevated, with a BB% of 14.5%, leading to a K-BB% of 16.2%. Despite the walks, he has been a reliable option in late-inning situations for the Orioles. Fairbanks has made 39 appearances and pitched 38 innings, He's posted a solid 2.84 ERA and has racked up 17 saves. While his strikeout rate (K% of 20.3%) is not as dominant as some top-tier relievers, his control remains decent with a BB% of 9.5%, leading to an 10.8% K-BB%. Despite some battles with consistency early in the season, Fairbanks has settled in to be a dependable back-end bullpen arm for the Rays. Do either of these players interest you? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Amid all the trade deadline buzz, it's being widely reported that the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game. The official announcement is expected the day following the trade deadline, August 1st. Wrigley Field last hosted the event in 1990. Prior to 1990, Wrigley Field hosted the All-Star Game in 1947 and 1962 (note that there were two All-Star Games played in 1962, with the other held in Washington, D.C.). In the 1947 MLB All-Star Game, the American League defeated the National League 2-1 in a pitcher's duel. Johnny Mize hit a home run for the National League, but the American League scored the tying and winning runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. In the second All-Star Game played in 1962. The American League broke a five-game losing streak, defeating the National League 9-4. Leon Wagner was named MVP. The game was marked by four National League errors and three American League home runs. Finally, in the 1990 MLB All-Star Game, the American League shut out the National League 2-0. Julio Franco hit a two-run double in the seventh inning, providing all the scoring, and was named the game's MVP. The National League only managed two hits, the fewest in All-Star Game history. View full rumor

The Chicago Cubs are looking to beef up their bullpen at the trade deadline and may do so by acquiring one of the best relievers in baseball history. Francys Romero, an independent baseball reporter, is citing industry sources and sharing "the Chicago Cubs are one of the teams most actively monitoring Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase..." Clase, controllable through 2028 via team options, has been his usual dominant self for the Cleveland Guardians in 2025, continuing to be one of baseball's elite closers. Through 45 appearances, he boasts a stellar 2.80 ERA (2.31 FIP) over 45.0 innings, along with 22 saves. Clase continues to rely on his high-velocity cutter, generating a lot of weak contact and groundballs. He's maintained an excellent K% of 23.4% and a low BB% of 5.2%, resulting in a superb K-BB% of 18.2%. While he's had a few more bumps than his remarkable 2024 season, Clase remains a top-tier relief pitcher and will come with a heavy price tag considering his production and team-friendly contract. Do you think the Cubs should go all-in for Clase? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The San Diego Padres plan to be buyers at the deadline in anticipation of a playoff push. They may also be sellers, and the Chicago Cubs could be one of their suitors. Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is available at the trade deadline, and that the Cubs are one of the teams that have discussed the 30-year-old free agent-to-be. Across 20 starts and 108.2 innings pitched, Cease's. ERA currently stands at 4.64, which is more than a full run higher than his FIP, suggesting he's experienced some bad luck or been hurt by his defense. Cease continues to be a high-strikeout pitcher, with a K% of 30.0% and a BB% of 8.4%, translating to an impressive K-BB% of 21.6%. He will be a free agent at season's end with incredible upside despite his under-performing surface stats. Given the shallow starter's market and the numerous teams seeking rotation help, his cost will be substantial. Any team acquiring the right-hander will likely need to overpay to acquire him. Moreover, given the Padres' position in the playoff picture, they are likely looking for a combination of MLB-ready and prospect pieces. Should the Chicago Cubs do what it takes to acquire Dylan cease? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Add another potential trade partner to the growing list of teams the Chicago Cubs have discussed trades with. Jon Morosi of MLB Network is reporting that the "[Chicago] Cubs have checked in with the Royals ahead of the trade deadline." With the Royals currently holding a 48-52 record and sitting 5.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, they are widely expected to be "sellers" at the upcoming trade deadline. Starting pitcher Seth Lugo, identified in Morosi's tweet, is having another excellent season with a 2.94 ERA through 18 starts, following his Cy Young runner-up campaign in 2024. As he's anticipated to decline his $15 million player option for 2026, he presents an attractive rental option for teams in need of rotation depth. Another strong trade candidate is closer Carlos Estévez, who was a 2025 All-Star and has maintained a 2.74 ERA across 43 appearances this season. If the Cubs can pry Bubic away from the Royals, he would bring boasting an impressive 2.38 ERA through 19 starts after recovering from Tommy John surgery last year. Though not mentioned by Morosi, infielder Jonathan India is another name to keep an eye on. In his first season with the Royals, he is batting .246 with 4 home runs and 26 RBIs in 92 games. Do you think the Cubs should target any of these guys? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

It's no secret that the Chicago Cubs will be very active at the trade deadline, and are specifically looking to bolster their pitching staff and possibly add a third baseman. Today, MLB insider, "Mocc Bomb", is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs have discussed a deal around starting pitcher Taj Bradley, reliever Pete Fairbanks, as well as infielder Yandy Diaz. Bradley's 2025 season with the Rays has seen him post a 4.35 ERA and a 4.01 FIP over 109.2 innings across 20 starts. His K-BB rate stands at 11.8% (20.7% strikeout rate minus 8.9% walk rate). He'd be a strong addition to the middle of the rotation and is controllable through 2029. In 38 appearances as the Rays closer, Fairbanks boasts a 2.92 ERA and a 2.93 FIP over 37.0 innings. His K-BB rate is 10.9% (20.6% strikeout rate minus 9.7% walk rate), contributing to his 16 saves. He is controlled through 2026 via a team option that could see him making as much as $3 million. Though Mocc does mention Diaz, it seems that talks are just developing on the former third baseman. He's posted an impressive .820 OPS with 15 home runs resulting in a 130 wRC+. His club option for 2026 has already been vested and has a similar option in 2027 if he hits 500 plate appearances in 2026. Do you think the Cubs should move on any of these names? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

With the All-Star break behind us, the hot stove is going to be scorching hot over the next 10 days. With that, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic are reporting that third baseman Eugenio Suarez and relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan are on the Chicago Cubs' radar. Suárez, who is a free agent at seasons end, is having a strong 2025 season, currently boasting a .254 batting average with 33 home runs and 81 RBI through 97 games. He's showing a late-career resurgence, with his .563 slugging percentage among the league's best. He's not great defensively, but his bat more than makes up for it. Finnegan, also a free agent at seasons end, has accumulated 19 saves in 37 appearances, despite a a 4.25 ERA over 36 innings. He carries a lowly 10.6% strikeout-minus-walk rate and has a 1.28 WHIP. While he isn't a high impact arm, he would provide decent depth at the bottom of the bullpen. Should the Cubs acquire one or both of these pieces at the deadline? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The Chicago Cubs are enjoying arguably their best season in almost a decade. Jim Bowden of The Athletic speculates that the front office isn't letting the opportunity pass them by and will be aggressive at the trade deadline. In a questions and answers piece regarding the trade deadline, a subscriber asked about the Cubs potentially trading top prospects Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcántara to which he responds, "I get the impression the Cubs are “all-in” to win this year and will trade Caissie or Alcántara if that lands them the right pitcher(s)." Caissie currently has a .963 OPS at Triple-A Iowa with 18 home runs resulting in a 144 wRC+. Alcántara, who had a cup of coffee in the big-leagues in 2024, has a .810 OPS at the same level with 11 home runs. Do you think the Chicago Cubs should go all in at the trade deadline? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

Independent reporter, Francys Romero, is citing "industry sources" saying that the Chicago Cubs are "potential suitors" for Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. Hayes, 28, is controllable through 2030 on an extremely team friendly deal that has him averaging less than $9 million per season. A former top 100 prospect across all of baseball, Hayes' bat hasn't really lived up to the hype, though he is one of the best defensive third basemen in all of baseball. Hayes has always been a below average hitter, though this season he is slashing .236/.290/.290 with just two home runs and nine stolen bases. The lack of production puts him an abysmal 38% worse than the average player (62 wRC+). Even with his glove and contract, would you like to see the Cubs pursue Hayes? View full rumor

Along with Brad Keller and a pair of Marlins' starters we've previously covered, Bob Nightengale is reporting that the Chicago Cubs are "keeping an eye on" Athletics starting pitcher Luis Severino as the trade deadline nears. He also states that the Cubs "would love to get their hands on [Mitch] Keller and [David] Bernard." While we know talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates have included starting pitcher Mitch Keller, this is the first we're hearing reliever David Bednar's name. While it's not surprising, as he may be the best reliever available via trade, it's not clear if the Cubs have explicitly shown interest or if Nightengale is speculating. Severino, 31, is in the first year of a three-year deal that includes a 2027 player option. Pitching in a Triple-A stadium and in a climate that favors hitters, his 4.83 ERA is a little inflated as suggested by his 3.99 FIP. What may be more concerning is that his strikeout rates are down nearly 10 points from his career norms, resulting in an extremely poor 8.5% strikeout-minus-wall rate. Nightengale points out that the optically the Athletics may be hard pressed to trade the starter, but even if he's on the market it will be interesting to see how expensive he gets. His numbers aren't overly encouraging, though it may be a thin starting pitcher market which will inherently drive up costs. If the Athletics are open to trading Severino, would you want the Cubs to pursue? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

The Chicago Cubs are expected to be buyers at the trade deadline, and have a significant need to add to their starting rotation. Though Shota Imanaga is expected to return from injury on Thursday, the Cubs are down Javier Assad and Justin Steele. Moreover, earlier this week they demoted Ben Brown who struggled after a strong start to the season. Now, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score is reporting that they have had discussions around Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller. Keller, 29, has been solid this season with a 4.02 ERA, 3.25 FIP, and a 12.4% strikeout-minus-walk rate. The right hander is controlled through the 2028 on a relatively team friendly deal given his level of production. As Levine points out, the market may be thin which will likely drive up the cost to acquire a pitcher of Keller's caliber. Should the Cubs swing a deal for Keller? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor

With the seventh best odds to win the World Series, per Fangrpahs, it's no secret the Chicago Cubs are going to be buyers at the trade deadline. On Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Cubs are "canvassing the market" for starting pitcher. The Cubs current rotation rank in the bottom third of baseball with a 4.32 ERA and a 4.47 FIP and a lowly 14.4% strikeout-minus-walk rate. Some of that poor production can be attributed to injuries as Shota Imanaga (returning Thursday), Javier Assad, and Justin Steele. Just earlier this week, the club sent Ben Brown to Triple-A Iowa to rediscover some of the early season success he was having. Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera are big names on the market that will come with a heavy price. Who else should the Cubs kick the tires on? Join the conversation in the comments! View full rumor