ESPN insider reveals why Cubs are ‘fortunate’ amid starting rotation need originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Cubs are going to be seeking out help at the 2026 MLB trade deadline in their starting rotation and their bullpen, as the injury bug has really hit them hard.
But, as seen with Jameson Taillon, the Cubs are also not getting good-enough production from their starters on the roster. Adding a good pitcher to the rotation this summer is a must if the Cubs want to go on a postseason run.
ESPN insider Buster Olney revealed that the Cubs are fortunate that this is their top need. But why would the Cubs be fortunate to need rotation help? Well, this year’s pool of available starters is about as good as it could get.
Cubs are ‘fortunate’ they need starting pitching help
“So, of course, the Cubs’ primary need is for pitching — any and all pitching. They’re fortunate in that this seems to be a position with plenty of options…” Olney writes.
The Cubs are “fortunate” that their top need at the 2026 MLB trade deadline is starting rotation help. It’s a great time to need help with the rotation.
From the NL East, the New York Mets have Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes, while the Washington Nationals have Foster Griffin as trade targets. The Miami Marlins might not trade Sandy Alcantara, but even he could be a trade target.
Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle of the San Francisco Giants, alongside Colorado Rockies starters Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen, and Tomoyuki Sugano, and San Diego Padres‘ Michael King could all be trade options from the NL West.
MORE: Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
The Detroit Tigers have Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and maybe Jack Flaherty, while the Kansas City Royals could trade Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, or Kris Bubic.
Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber of the Toronto Blue Jays and Trevor Rogers of the Baltimore Orioles are some AL East options the Cubs could look to target as well.
The Cubs, in need of starting rotation help, have nearly 20 realistic trade targets to pursue this summer, with likely more options becoming available in the coming days.
It’s a good time to need starting rotation help, and this large pool of starting pitchers who could be traded is why Olney noted the Cubs are “fortunate” amid their dire starting rotation need at the 2026 MLB trade deadline on August 3.
More MLB news:
- Yankees are ‘leading candidate’ to trade for Twins’ Ryan Jeffers
- Red Sox ‘would love’ to trade for Angels’ Zach Neto or Astros’ Jeremy Pena
- Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
- Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
- Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure
