Cubs-Cardinals Trade Idea Sends Phil Maton to Chicago

Yahoo

30-04-2025

Through 30 games, the Chicago Cubs have managed to take and maintain a first-place lead in the National League Central, but they can still improve in certain areas of the roster.
The main problem is the Cubs' bullpen, which ranks fifth-worst in MLB with a 4.81 ERA. Thus far, Chicago has received subpar performances from Porter Hodge and Brad Keller, who both have an ERA above 5.00.
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Righty Eli Morgan, acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in November, is on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow impingement.
Closer Ryan Pressly and Julian Merryweather have been the two best-performing Cubs' relievers this season. Still, a bullpen needs more than two players to succeed throughout a long, grueling season.
On Monday, Newsweek's Andrew Wright identified St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Phil Maton as a name the Cubs should target in a trade to improve the bullpen.
Maton, 32, is a nine-year MLB veteran known for attacking hitters with movement on his pitches rather than high velocity. In 2025, he ranks in the 95th percentile in WHIFF rate, with opposing batters swinging and missing at his five-pitch mix 36.5 percent of the time.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Phil Maton (88) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium.Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
He's recorded 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings this season with the Cardinals and has walked only two of the 56 batters he's faced.
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There's reason to believe Maton's success this season may be sustainable, since he's posted three consecutive seasons with an ERA+ of 109 or higher, including a 142 ERA+ in 68 games with the Houston Astros in 2023.
He has just six career saves in 430 games, so Pressly's position as the Cubs' closer is safe for now. Maton is more of a middle-to-late-inning relief pitcher.
As division rivals, the Cubs and Cardinals rarely facilitate trades, but a deal involving Maton would be a low-risk, high-reward move for Chicago, which is seeking its first postseason appearance since 2020.
If the Cubs' bullpen continues to falter, the front office might have to make significant adjustments.
Related: Cubs Make Tough Decision on 3.40 ERA Starter