Cubs Trade Deadline Idea Brings 2 Starting Pitchers From Struggling Teams to Chicago
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The Chicago Cubs lost Justin Steele to season-ending elbow surgery and have seen their lead in the National League Central shrink to just 3 1/2 games.
The Cubs' starters have a 4.06 ERA this season. Their electric offense has been key for them to win games, but they will need to upgrade their rotation if they want to make a deep run in October.
Shōta Imanaga is currently injured as well, but he should return this season. The Cubs may need to bring in some more reliable arms to surround him in the rotation. Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly suggested the Cubs could swing trades to land both Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Zach Eflin of the Baltimore Orioles.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer talks on the phone before a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on May 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 07: Chicago Cubs President Jed Hoyer talks on the phone before a game against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field on May 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois."The Cubs could go one of two ways at the deadline," wrote Kelly. "Either president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer could take a big swing on someone like Alcántara or Gallen, hoping they catch fire and can carry them in the postseason. Alternatively, he could try to add a pair of starters that could take the ball in the playoffs, like Zach Eflin of the Baltimore Orioles and Merrill Kelly of the Diamondbacks. A rotation of Imanaga, Eflin and Kelly might not have an obvious ace, but it would give you three pretty good options."
The Orioles are set up to be sellers at the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are a team that contenders will have their eyes on. They are 39-38 and 3 1/2 games out of a wild card spot entering Monday. The team has plenty of players slated to hit free agency after the season that could be of value to contenders.
Kelly has a 3.39 ERA in 16 starts this season and had a 2.25 ERA in the 2023 postseason, helping the Diamondbacks reach the World Series. Eflin has a 5.46 ERA in 11 starts this year, but has shown stretches of being a great rotation arm. He posted a 2.09 ERA after being traded to the Orioles last year.
Both players will hit the open market when the year ends, and could be good rental arms for the Cubs.
More MLB: MLB Writer Suggests $120 Million Red Sox Superstar Could Be Traded
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
33 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Cubs select contract of RHP Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa
ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Iowa on Monday ahead of a four-game series against the Cardinals. Fulmer, 32, returns to the Cubs after going 3-5 with two saves and a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances for Chicago in 2023. Fulmer missed the 2024 season after undergoing UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 18, 2023. Fulmer, who was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year with Detroit, had Tommy John surgery on March 27, 2019, and returned to the major leagues on July 27, 2020 , just after the start of the pandemic-shortened season. 'It took me a few months to get stuff and velo back,' Fulmer said about his first Tommy John surgery. 'Once I got all the game reps I needed, my stuff came back. So, I think we're getting on that timeline now where I'm feeling good, body's feeling great, no complaints, stuff's starting to come back a little bit and I'm really just excited.' Fulmer signed a minor league deal with Boston on Feb. 2, 2024, but did not play for the rest of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits in his lone appearance with Boston in April at Tampa Bay before the Red Sox designated him for assignment four days later. Fulmer inked a minor league contract with the Cubs on April 22 and went 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3 innings over 15 games with Iowa. 'You know he's went through a lot, you know he's sticking with it,' Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. 'It's a sign of what you're made of, I think. It really is. I know moments like getting back to the big leagues are important, and they validate a lot of the hard work and a lot of the rehabs and a lot of the things like that. You're happy for guys like Michael who get a shot again.' Pearson was recalled from Iowa on Saturday, and allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in two innings on Sunday versus Seattle. Chicago (46-31) entered play Monday with a 3 1/2 game lead over Milwaukee and a 4 1/2 game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central Division. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cubs select contract of RHP Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa
FILE - Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya, left, congratulates relief pitcher Michael Fulmer, after Fulmer struck out Colorado Rockies' Brenton Doyle to end the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sept. 11, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski), File FILE - Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson throws to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of an MLB Tokyo Series baseball game in Tokyo, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File) FILE - Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson throws to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of an MLB Tokyo Series baseball game in Tokyo, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File) FILE - Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya, left, congratulates relief pitcher Michael Fulmer, after Fulmer struck out Colorado Rockies' Brenton Doyle to end the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sept. 11, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski), File FILE - Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Nate Pearson throws to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of an MLB Tokyo Series baseball game in Tokyo, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File) ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Chicago Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Iowa on Monday ahead of a four-game series against the Cardinals. Fulmer, 32, returns to the Cubs after going 3-5 with two saves and a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances for Chicago in 2023. Advertisement Fulmer missed the 2024 season after undergoing UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 18, 2023. Fulmer, who was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year with Detroit, had Tommy John surgery on March 27, 2019, and returned to the major leagues on July 27, 2020, just after the start of the pandemic-shortened season. 'It took me a few months to get stuff and velo back,' Fulmer said about his first Tommy John surgery. 'Once I got all the game reps I needed, my stuff came back. So, I think we're getting on that timeline now where I'm feeling good, body's feeling great, no complaints, stuff's starting to come back a little bit and I'm really just excited.' Fulmer signed a minor league deal with Boston on Feb. 2, 2024, but did not play for the rest of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits in his lone appearance with Boston in April at Tampa Bay before the Red Sox designated him for assignment four days later. Advertisement Fulmer inked a minor league contract with the Cubs on April 22 and went 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3 innings over 15 games with Iowa. 'You know he's went through a lot, you know he's sticking with it,' Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. 'It's a sign of what you're made of, I think. It really is. I know moments like getting back to the big leagues are important, and they validate a lot of the hard work and a lot of the rehabs and a lot of the things like that. You're happy for guys like Michael who get a shot again.' Pearson was recalled from Iowa on Saturday, and allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in two innings on Sunday versus Seattle. Chicago (46-31) entered play Monday with a 3 1/2 game lead over Milwaukee and a 4 1/2 game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central Division. ___ AP MLB:
Associated Press
40 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Cubs select contract of RHP Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Chicago Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Iowa on Monday ahead of a four-game series against the Cardinals. Fulmer, 32, returns to the Cubs after going 3-5 with two saves and a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances for Chicago in 2023. Fulmer missed the 2024 season after undergoing UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 18, 2023. Fulmer, who was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year with Detroit, had Tommy John surgery on March 27, 2019, and returned to the major leagues on July 27, 2020, just after the start of the pandemic-shortened season. 'It took me a few months to get stuff and velo back,' Fulmer said about his first Tommy John surgery. 'Once I got all the game reps I needed, my stuff came back. So, I think we're getting on that timeline now where I'm feeling good, body's feeling great, no complaints, stuff's starting to come back a little bit and I'm really just excited.' Fulmer signed a minor league deal with Boston on Feb. 2, 2024, but did not play for the rest of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits in his lone appearance with Boston in April at Tampa Bay before the Red Sox designated him for assignment four days later. Fulmer inked a minor league contract with the Cubs on April 22 and went 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3 innings over 15 games with Iowa. 'You know he's went through a lot, you know he's sticking with it,' Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. 'It's a sign of what you're made of, I think. It really is. I know moments like getting back to the big leagues are important, and they validate a lot of the hard work and a lot of the rehabs and a lot of the things like that. You're happy for guys like Michael who get a shot again.' Pearson was recalled from Iowa on Saturday, and allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in two innings on Sunday versus Seattle. Chicago (46-31) entered play Monday with a 3 1/2 game lead over Milwaukee and a 4 1/2 game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central Division. ___ AP MLB:
