Sam Caulder

Image courtesy of Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images The Cubs knew they needed to improve their pitching staff before the trade deadline, and they made one of the biggest splashes of the weekend by acquiring Kevin Gausman. Landing one of the best starting pitchers available immediately raises the level of Chicago's rotation as the club pushes toward what it hopes will be a deep postseason run. Gausman gives the team another proven veteran near the top of the rotation and forms a formidable trio alongside Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga. It's exactly the type of move contenders make. But if the Cubs truly believe they can win the World Series this season—especially after Tarik Skubal landed with the Dodgers—they can't afford to stop here. So what comes next for Chicago? For starters, don't rule out another addition to the rotation. Even after bringing in Gausman, there are still plenty of intriguing starting pitchers available. Rental starters Trevor Rogers and Casey Mize and controllable arms Reid Detmers and José Soriano all remain names to watch as the deadline approaches. Gausman undoubtedly makes the Cubs better, but he doesn't completely solve their biggest problem. October baseball is all about pitching depth. A memorable postseason run involves at least 10 games, and having only three healthy, reliable starters isn't usually enough. Whether it's another frontline arm or simply someone capable of giving quality innings every fifth day, another rotation addition would go a long way toward solidifying Chicago's chances. Just as important, though, is the bullpen. The Cubs' relief corps has been battered by injuries for much of the season, leaving coverage of the late innings as the biggest question mark on the roster. Even if everyone were healthy, bullpen help should still be near the top of the priority list. Pitching wins games in October, and one blown lead can be the difference between advancing to the next round and heading home for the winter. Championship-caliber teams rarely regret adding another dependable late-inning reliever, and the Cubs shouldn't be any different. Standing pat isn't a reasonable option. Fortunately for Chicago, the relief market remains loaded with talent. While it may not be the most likely outcome, Mason Miller (DiamondCentric’s top player available, though just how available he actually is is up for debate) could at least be worth checking in on. Even if Miller isn't ultimately the answer, there are still several impact relievers who could make sense. His teammate, Adrián Morejón, has been floated as a potential Cubs target for weeks and would immediately strengthen the bullpen with another high-leverage left-handed option. Luke Weaver, Drew Anderson, and Kenley Jansen are also among the recognizable names that could be available. Several other late-inning arms could realistically change teams before the deadline, giving Chicago plenty of opportunities to reinforce one of the few remaining weaknesses on its roster. It's also possible Jed Hoyer isn't finished making changes to the lineup. The Cubs have been connected to both buying and selling position players ahead of the deadline, or at least to creative trade ideas that could include swapping out one big-leaguer for another. Matt Shaw, currently sidelined by injury, appears likely to remain in Chicago, but Pedro Ramírez could be a big part of a trade package. Given how important he's become to the team's offense, such a move would force the team to at least consider adding a bat. Obviously, though, offense shouldn't be viewed as nearly the same priority as pitching. Michael Busch and Alex Bregman—who started finding his groove offensively in July—have formed a strong combination on the corners of the infield. Chicago already has proven production and solid defense throughout its outfield and defense-first stars in whom they've invested a ton on the middle infield. The only places where they can upgrade the lineup are at designated hitter and catcher, and even those would be difficult maneuvers. One intriguing possibility is Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward. Ward's power hasn't looked nearly the same after launching 36 home runs in 2025, but he's quietly been one of baseball's smartest hitters this season, consistently putting together quality plate appearances and getting on base. Defensively, he's been slightly below average this year, but Ward could slide into the designated hitter role on most days while also giving Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki occasional starts off in the outfield. It's not the biggest need, but it would be another way for the Cubs to deepen an already talented lineup as they prepare for the stretch run. Whatever direction Chicago chooses before this afternoon's trade deadline, one thing feels abundantly clear: the Cubs shouldn't be done. Whether that's adding another starting pitcher, reinforcing the bullpen, bringing in another bat, or some combination of all three, Chicago is in a position to be aggressive. They've already made one statement by acquiring Gausman, but championship contenders rarely stop after addressing just one need. The front office has an opportunity to push even more chips to the center of the table, and how they choose to attack the final hours before the trade deadline could play a major role in determining just how far this team can go in October. View full article

Image courtesy of Denis Poroy-Imagn Images The Cubs, along with just about every other major-league club, have been quiet leading up to the MLB trade deadline, which is Monday at 5 PM CT. A huge number of teams are, as usual, clustered around the fringes of the playoff races in each league, so all parties are waiting as long as possible to see whether they should buy or sell—or which way that one team they really want to deal with is going to go. After a couple of minor moves by the Minnesota Twins rolling into the weekend, things are bound to pick up. When they do, the Cubs should be right in the middle of the action. Of the 24 teams who aren't currently leading their division, 18 sit within 5.5 games of a Wild Card spot. The Cubs don't need to wait and wonder the way many of those teams do, though. They've maintained a firm grip on the National League's top Wild Card spot and have every reason to be aggressive over the next few days. The San Diego Padres are a different story. San Diego enters the weekend at 56-54, just one game behind the spiraling Phillies for the final Wild Card spot. They're 14 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West, though, making a division title feel all but impossible. If the Padres decide their postseason odds aren't worth betting on, they suddenly become one of the more fascinating teams to watch. And one name should immediately jump to the top of the Cubs' wish list: Adrián Morejón. Morejón made his major-league debut in 2019 as a 20-year-old, but injuries kept him from becoming the impact arm many expected early in his career. However, he's since turned into one of the premier setup arms in baseball. Through 57 1/3 innings this season, Morejón owns a 3.14 ERA backed by an even better 2.56 expected ERA. He's also piled up 64 strikeouts, while issuing just 15 walks. The surface numbers are excellent; the underlying metrics are even better. His hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity all rank in the 92nd percentile or better among major-league pitchers. He generates whiffs at an elite rate, gets hitters to chase pitches outside the zone frequently and ranks in the 99th percentile in ground-ball rate. Few pitchers in the game can throw 100-MPH sinkers. Even fewer can do it from the left side. Fewer still consistently pound the strike zone. That's what makes Morejón different. His sinker routinely reaches triple digits, but the velocity isn't the only thing that makes it special. He commands it exceptionally well, constantly forcing hitters into weak contact. His changeup might be even more impressive. Thrown around 92 MPH with devastating late drop, he gets whiffs on more than half of batter swings against it. Then there's the slider, which features an outstanding movement profile and gives hitters another completely different look. He'll even mix in an occasional four-seam fastball just to keep opponents from keying on the sinker. Morejón would immediately become one of the Cubs' most trusted late-inning relievers. He's entering free agency after the season, making him a true rental. Before then, though, he has the ability to completely change a postseason bullpen. If the Padres decide to sell, they'll almost certainly try to cash in now, rather than risk losing him for nothing a few months from now. For the Cubs, the fit is obvious. Even if Chicago's bullpen were fully healthy, adding Morejón would make perfect sense. Considering all of the injuries they've dealt with throughout the year, he feels like an even bigger priority. So what would it cost? The Padres already have plenty of talented young pitching throughout their organization, so position players would likely be the focus in any return. Luckily for the Cubs, that's where they have some real organizational depth. Jonathon Long stands out as a possible piece. Chicago's No. 9 prospect is slashing .282/.364/.449 at Triple-A Iowa, with 41 extra-base hits through 96 games. Long alone doesn't get a deal done, but he feels like a strong foundation. Another interesting possibility is Kane Kepley. The Cubs' No. 6 prospect and second-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft has quickly established himself as one of the safest position-player prospects in the organization. Across 90 games this season, Kepley is slashing .258/.436/.413 while drawing an eye-popping 92 walks and stealing 49 bases. His hit tool, speed, and defense give him an incredibly high floor. He's never going to become a 25-home run hitter, but his athleticism and ability to get on base should allow him to impact games in plenty of other ways. It might be that San Diego decides to both buy and sell, spinning off Morejón as a hedge because of his impending free agency but looking to upgrade the big-league roster in some other area at the same time. In that case, they're likely to demand Pedro Ramírez, who feels like too much to give up for a half-season of Morejón's services. If the price tag is any lower than that, though, the Cubs shouldn't hesitate. It's incredibly difficult to find a left-handed reliever who throws 100 MPH, misses bats, limits hard contact, pounds the strike zone and keeps the ball on the ground. Morejón does all of it. If Chicago is serious about making a deep postseason run, this is exactly the kind of move contenders make. View full article

Image courtesy of © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images If the MLB playoffs started today, the Chicago Cubs would hold the No. 4 seed in the National League. That's a pretty good place to be, and yet, they have spent much of the season proving they're a legitimate postseason contender. They've built a roster capable of making some noise in October, to be sure, but that's also exactly why they can't afford to stand pat. As we've known for quite some time now, this is a team that could desperately use some pitching help. The injuries have piled up all season long, particularly in the bullpen, but the starting rotation hasn't exactly been spared either. Chicago has managed to stay afloat despite the constant turnover, but expecting that to continue through October is asking a lot. Beyond the obvious, blockbuster types, one name that makes a lot of sense is Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize. Mize, the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, has spent his entire professional career with the Tigers. He's had an up-and-down road to this point between injuries and inconsistency, but he's putting together arguably the best season of his career. Over 86 2/3 innings this season, he's posted a 2.70 ERA and a sparkling 0.99 WHIP while striking out 85 hitters compared to just 19 walks. And with Detroit currently sitting seven games below .500, this may be the perfect time for both sides to move on. He’s done an impressive job limiting hard contact all season long, with his hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity all ranking better than league average. Mize attacks hitters with a five-pitch mix that allows him to keep both lefties and righties off balance, giving him multiple ways to navigate a lineup. He may not profile as a true ace, but he absolutely looks like the type of reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter every playoff team wants heading into October. He’s set to hit free agency after the season, making him an ideal rental candidate. If the Tigers don't believe they'll be able to retain him, it would make plenty of sense to see what kind of return they can get before the trade deadline. That's where the Cubs could come in. Not only do they need another starter, but they specifically need a quality right-handed one. Chicago's three best right-handed starters — Cade Horton, Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera — are all currently on the injured list. That's left the Cubs without a dependable right-handed presence toward the front half of the rotation, making that an obvious area to address before the deadline. Mize checks just about every box. Perhaps just as importantly, his status as a rental should keep the acquisition cost somewhat reasonable; really all an acquiring team has to do is surpass whatever value the Tigers would get from a declined qualifying offer. So, what could a trade actually look like? From Detroit's perspective, their offensive core is in a really good place. Between guys like Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene and the recently promoted Max Clark, they have plenty of young position-player talent to build around for years to come. The bigger question lies on the pitching side. If Detroit is truly willing to listen to offers for both Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, it's fair to assume they'll be looking to replenish their pitching pipeline. The organization simply doesn't have a ton of high-end pitching prospects waiting in the wings. Chicago almost certainly wouldn't want to move its top pitching prospect, Jaxon Wiggins, in a deal for a short-term rental. But someone like Brooks Caple is a much more realistic conversation. Caple has quietly put together a strong season at Double-A Knoxville, posting a 3.55 ERA across 55 2/3 innings. Since being drafted in 2024, his arsenal has taken a noticeable step forward, and one thing that's remained consistent throughout his development is his ability to throw strikes. He may never develop into a frontline starter, but there's a lot to like about his chances of becoming a dependable back-of-the-rotation arm at the major-league level. For a rebuilding team looking to add controllable pitching, that's exactly the type of prospect worth targeting. Another interesting name is Kaleb Wing. Wing is still just 19 years old, so there's a lot more projection involved than with Caple. He isn't nearly as polished, but the upside is intriguing. If Detroit's scouting department is especially high on Wing's long-term potential, it's not hard to envision him headlining a package alongside another lower-level prospect. Regardless of which prospect ultimately headlines a deal, the framework makes sense for both organizations. The Cubs get a proven major-league starter without sacrificing one of the very best pieces in their farm system. The Tigers acquire controllable pitching talent in exchange for a player who may only have a couple of months left with the organization anyway. It's the kind of trade deadline deal that benefits both sides. View full article

An intradivisional blockbuster involving Hunter Greene feels almost impossible. But if the Reds decide to listen, the Cubs may have exactly what it takes to make a deal happen. View full video

Image courtesy of Jeff Curry-Imagn Images It’s no secret that, if the Cubs want to make a deep postseason run this October, they have to add some pitching before Monday's trade deadline. They have some depth, but when October rolls around, every contender wants as many top-of-the-rotation starters as possible. That's why names like Tarik Skubal and Joe Ryan have dominated the rumor mill over the past several weeks. But there's one name that almost nobody has mentioned. What if the Cubs made a run at Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene? Now, before you race to the comments to tell me how crazy this is, it's worth acknowledging the obvious. Greene is only 26 years old, one of the most electric pitchers in baseball, and he's under team control well beyond this season. On top of that, trades between division rivals are uncommon, especially when they involve a player of Greene's caliber and who's under control for more than part of a season. There are plenty of reasons why this deal never gets off the ground. The Reds may have no interest in helping a division rival, even if they're willing to move Greene. If Cincinnati does decide to listen to offers, they might prefer sending him to an American League club, rather than keeping him in the NL. And because of Greene's age, talent, and remaining team control, the asking price would almost certainly be enormous. The Cubs would have to decide whether the upside of adding a true ace outweighs the risk of giving up multiple premium young players for a pitcher with an extensive injury history—and giving them, specifically, to a division foe. But even with all of those obstacles, the more you look at Cincinnati's situation, the more you can start to understand why the Cubs should at least pick up the phone. There's no questioning Greene's talent. When healthy, he's every bit the ace teams spend years trying to develop. His upper-90s fastball is among the best in baseball; he misses bats at an elite rate; and he's shown he can dominate the league's best lineups. The problem has never been ability; it's been availability. Despite debuting back in 2022, Greene has never thrown more than 150 innings in any season. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted what has otherwise looked like a career that should include a Cy Young Award or two. This season has been another reminder of that reality. Greene missed more than three months at the start of the year, after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone spurs in his throwing arm. While the procedure isn't viewed the same way as Tommy John surgery (which he's also had), it adds another entry to an injury history that's becoming difficult to ignore. It's also far from the only issue he's dealt with. In addition to his arm injuries, he's dealt with a lengthy list of lower-body and other non-arm ailments that have limited his time on the mound. When Greene's healthy, he's one of the best pitchers in the National League. The problem is knowing how often you'll actually have him, and that's where things could become interesting for Cincinnati. The Reds certainly aren't one of baseball's biggest spenders, and Greene's contract is about to become considerably more expensive. He's owed roughly $32 million over the next two seasons, a more than reasonable number for an ace but a much more difficult commitment for a small-market club when that ace hasn't been able to stay on the field. Cincinnati has to ask a difficult question: Is it worth committing that kind of money to a pitcher whose biggest obstacle year after year is his own health? If the answer is no, Greene suddenly becomes a fascinating trade candidate. The Reds could capitalize on his immense value while avoiding the financial risk that comes with paying for his late-20s seasons. From the Cubs' perspective, it's exactly the kind of gamble a contender should be willing to make. If Greene stays healthy, he'd immediately give Chicago one of the better postseason rotations in baseball, while remaining under contract well beyond this year's playoff run. That's not something most of the other starters on the market can offer. The Cubs have the organizational depth to put together a compelling offer if the Reds ever became serious about moving Greene. It would take a significant package—arguably, so much so that it would leave the cupboard bare—but it's not impossible. A deal centered around Matt Shaw and Jaxon Wiggins would give Cincinnati a young, everyday outfielder and the Cubs' best pitching prospect, along with another player or two. Another possibility could feature Pedro Ramírez, Moisés Ballesteros and Wiggins, giving the Reds two young players on the verge of becoming everyday major-leaguers, along with a high-upside arm. If the Cubs were truly willing to push all of their chips to the middle, they could offer Shaw, Wiggins and Jefferson Rojas in a true blockbuster package. None of those returns would be easy to stomach, but that's the type of talent it would likely take to pry away a 26-year-old ace with multiple years of team control. Rental pitchers certainly have value, but acquiring someone like Greene would strengthen the Cubs' rotation for years, instead of months. That's a debate worth having, but it's also why Greene stands out from the rest of the market. Most trade targets come with limited upside or only a few months of team control. Greene offers something few pitchers can: legitimate ace potential for multiple seasons. Even if the odds of a deal remain slim, the Cubs should at least explore the possibility. Sometimes the best trade deadline moves are the ones nobody sees coming. If the Reds decide the injury concerns and future financial commitment outweigh the reward, Hunter Greene could become one of the most intriguing names available before the deadline. Even that's unlikely, but the more you hear the word 'creative' about them this week, the wider you can imagine that door opening. View full article

Chicago’s free agent situation is becoming impossible to ignore, and Seiya Suzuki could be the piece that fixes multiple problems. View full video

Image courtesy of Joe Puetz-Imagn Images A lot of the focus around the Chicago Cubs leading up to the trade deadline has centered around their pitching staff, and rightfully so. It's hard to look at this roster and come away with any other conclusion than that adding another arm should be the front office's top priority. But there's another issue quietly looming over this team that hasn't gotten nearly as much attention. Chicago has some important players entering free agency after the 2026 season, and odds are good that the Cubs simply can't keep all of them. If that's the case, the front office has to ask itself an uncomfortable question: is it better to make one difficult move now than risk losing multiple contributors for nothing a few months from now? If so, Seiya Suzuki might be the best place to start. Suzuki is in the final season of the five-year, $85-million contract he signed with the Cubs in March 2022, and he's done just about everything the organization could have hoped for during that deal. Even after missing time early in the year, he's once again been one of Chicago's most productive hitters. Across 387 plate appearances, Suzuki is slashing .265/.354/.473 with an .827 OPS, continuing to provide the middle-of-the-order production the Cubs have relied on throughout his tenure. For a team with legitimate postseason aspirations, that's not the type of bat you willingly remove from the lineup. But trading Suzuki wouldn't be about his performance. If anything, his production is exactly why the Cubs should at least entertain the possibility. The bigger picture is what makes this interesting. Suzuki isn't the only key player headed toward free agency. Fellow outfielder Ian Happ is also set to hit the open market after the season, as are Shota Imanaga, Carson Kelly and Matthew Boyd. Add in a few other expiring contracts around the roster, and suddenly, the Cubs are staring at an offseason where they could need to replace a whole lot of outgoing talent in the compressed window for activity created by a winter lockout. Bringing everyone back isn't likely, and probably wouldn't end well. If the Cubs are forced to choose, Suzuki probably has the strongest case to stay based strictly on offensive production. He's been one of the most dangerous hitters in their lineup. At the same time, though, the roster is beginning to evolve. Matt Shaw has already made the transition to right field this season, and the Cubs have no shortage of young position players pushing for larger roles. Pete Crow-Armstrong has established himself as a legitimate superstar, and a couple youngsters (James Triantos and Pedro Ramírez) could also wind up landing in the outfield corners. The organization has spent years building toward a younger, more athletic core, and eventually, those players need somewhere to play. Moving Suzuki would clarify the Cubs' long-term outfield picture instead of kicking that decision down the road another few months. Then there's the financial side of things. The Cubs currently carry one of baseball's larger payrolls, at roughly $254 million for the purposes of the competitive balance tax. They're already projected to be about $10 million over the first threshold. To stay under the second one while adding any salary at the deadline, they could need to subtract some, too. Unlike many rental players, Suzuki isn't simply an expiring contract. He's an impact bat capable of changing a lineup, which means his value should remain extremely high despite his impending free agency. There are plenty of contenders who could use exactly that. Teams like the Rays, Guardians, and Phillies all make sense. Whether any of them ultimately emerge as serious suitors remains to be seen, but the market should exist. I'm not going to speculate on exactly what a return would look like, and if you want some insight into it, I encourage you to read this piece. But it's not difficult to imagine Suzuki bringing back the type of pitcher the Cubs have spent weeks trying to acquire. The Cubs would be addressing three different problems with one move. They'd open up their long-term outfield picture, create additional financial flexibility, and add desperately needed pitching for both this season and (potentially) beyond. That's a difficult combination to ignore. Of course, the Cubs are trying to make a deep postseason run, and Suzuki gives them a better chance of doing exactly that. If the front office believes this roster is capable of winning the National League, holding onto one of its best hitters is a perfectly reasonable decision. There's nothing wrong with pushing your chips into the middle when a championship is within reach. Suzuki also has a no-trade clause, so moving him would be complicated. It might even be impossible. But the front office also has to think beyond October. This isn't just about Suzuki. It's about recognizing that the Cubs probably aren't going to keep every major free agent they have after the season. Rather than watching multiple players walk away for nothing, they should seriously consider turning one of those expiring assets into something that helps both now and in the future. If they decide to go that route, Suzuki may be the player who makes the most sense. View full article