Cubs MLB trade deadline primer: Adding starting pitching is the clear goal

New York Times

2 days ago

PHILADELPHIA — It has been a while since Jed Hoyer's directive was so clear this early in the season. Not even two weeks into June, there's little doubt what direction the Cubs will be headed at the trade deadline. And arguably, they could be one of the more aggressive buyers this July.
For a team that has scored 376 runs, the second most in baseball, where the Cubs will look to upgrade has become obvious.
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'Our position-playing group has been outstanding both offensively and defensively,' Hoyer told reporters Wednesday morning in Philadelphia. 'That gives some clarity. Obviously, you don't know what's going to happen in the next month-and-a-half with that group. But right now, the focus would be on adding pitching and adding pitching depth. That would be the clear thing.'
The spotlight on the need for starting pitching shone brightly over the last two games in Philadelphia. Colin Rea and Ben Brown combined to give up 10 runs over 10 1/3 innings. Brown battled through 5 2/3 innings in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Phillies as the Cubs dropped their second straight series, immediately putting his team in a 3-0 hole in the first inning and never seeming to find his rhythm.
Since Shota Imanaga went on the IL with a left hamstring strain on May 5, Rea and Brown have combined for a 5.26 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. Though each has had moments of brilliance, the rotation has become a glaring area of need.
Imanaga made a rehab start Monday and should return to the rotation later this month. But Justin Steele is out for the season, and Javier Assad still isn't throwing off a mound as he works to return from an oblique issue. The depth at Triple A has taken a hit, too. Jordan Wicks is on the shelf with a hamstring issue (he recently threw live BP and is close to returning to game action), and Brandon Birdsell — an upper-level pitching prospect who had a breakout season last summer — suffered a shoulder injury early in the spring and is not expected to return until later this summer.
'We've definitely taken a lot of hits there, and these guys have held up well,' Hoyer said. 'But it's a long season; we're not even halfway through yet. So we have to continue to address that in all sorts of ways, whether it's trade deadline (or) small transactions, and hopefully get some of these guys healthy.'
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Hoyer pointed out that while the position-player group looks set, he wouldn't rule out upgrading the bench or finding a complementary piece if needed. The bullpen, once looking like a weakness, has an MLB-best 2.20 ERA since April 19. But Hoyer knows he can't assume all will stay well there.
'I don't think I can answer that on June 11,' Hoyer said when asked if he would avoid a major addition to the bullpen. 'That's something for closer to the 31st. It used to be you had some more transactions in the tank in August and September. Now you don't. So you have to think about that aspect of it.'
The Cubs have built a strong bullpen primarily by looking for value adds like Brad Keller, Chris Flexen and Drew Pomeranz. Continuing to add around the margins makes sense.
For those hoping the Cubs hit it big with an ace-type addition, it might be hard to find that pitcher. And if they do identify the right target, the prospect cost will certainly be high.
Miami Marlins starter and former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has an ugly 7.14 ERA in 13 starts. However, he delivered his two best outings of the season his last two times out, going a combined 12 innings and giving up just two runs with 10 strikeouts and two walks.
The reality is Hoyer and his front office are still in the early stages of their trade work. Though the Marlins appear to be an obvious seller, it's not as clear for other teams.
'We're in the information-gathering process still,' Hoyer said. 'There's still very few teams that would be fully categorized as sellers. For the most part, right now, the teams that have struggled think they can get back in the race, other than a handful. We're not quite there yet.'
A team like the Atlanta Braves, one that was expected to contend, may look like it's out of it. But the Braves will likely push the decision to sell until the last possible moment. So who knows if Chris Sale would be available? If he is, that's a game-changing addition and one whose price would be astronomical.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks surely hope they get back in contention. But if not, they'd likely be willing to move impending free agent Zac Gallen; though, like Alcantara, he has struggled this season. Merrill Kelly might not have the same upside as these other options, but he'd be the type of stabilizing force the middle of the Cubs rotation could use.
If the Texas Rangers decide to go into sell mode, multiple more interesting arms would potentially be up for grabs. Again, the prospect cost would be key. The Cubs are obvious contenders this season, but how willing they'd be to mortgage the future is unknown. For fans, that's an easy call. Front offices have more to weigh than just 2025, though.
A major move almost certainly has to come in the rotation. Barring a collapse over the next six weeks, this team is well positioned to make aggressive additions. But does Hoyer have a big swing in him?
(Top photo of Jed Hoyer: Griffin Quinn / Getty Images)