Cubs Blockbuster Trade Idea Adds Cy Young Finalist Amid Shota Imanaga News
Cubs Blockbuster Trade Idea Adds Cy Young Finalist Amid Shota Imanaga News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer went on The Show podcast, hosted by the New York Post's Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman, to discuss the Cubs' start to the season and possible future plans.
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One question Hoyer was asked, which many have wondered as July approaches, is what will the Cubs do at the deadline?
With one of the best lineups in baseball, and Pete Crow-Armstrong a surprise All-Star candidate, the Cubs could legitimately make a run this year.
Hoyer hinted that the Cubs' focus at the deadline will be adding pitching depth, which he said is imperative in today's game.
Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen.© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Following Hoyer's appearance on the podcast, The Athletic insider Jim Bowden proposed a very interesting trade for the Cubs to pursue.
Bowden said that the Cubs should target Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen, who has struggled in 2025 but has two solid seasons preceding this one.
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Gallen has pitched to a 4-8 record and 5.15 ERA, but he is still the same pitcher who started for the National League in the 2023 All-Star game and finished third in the Diamondbacks' pennant winning 2023 season.
"Gallen would need to have three or four strong starts before the deadline for the Diamondbacks to get the strong prospect package they'd want, but if they fall further out of contention, they might have to trade the impending free agent," Bowden wrote.
Gallen has shown flashes of his former greatness, including two separate starts in May against the NL-best New York Mets where he allowed two runs in 13 innings while striking out 14.
The prediction of a Gallen-Cubs trade comes in the midst of news that ace Shota Imanaga is progressing well in his rehab.
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Imanaga threw two innings in a rehab start for the Cubs' rookie-level affiliate on Monday, which is a big step as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
The Cubs have plenty to offer in trade talks, and plenty of reason to go for it at the deadline. Acquiring Gallen would put the rest of the league on notice.
Related: MLB Raises Pete Crow-Armstrong Question After Cubs' Fourth Straight Win
Related: Rockies' $70 Million All-Star Emerging as Cubs' Next Gem
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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