The Cubs’ weekend series against the Cardinals made one thing clear: Jed Hoyer and the front office can’t afford to lock themselves into one deadline plan just yet.
Chicago still looks like a buyer. The club has built another cushion, sitting close to 10 games over .500 and firmly in the National League Wild Card race. But this season has already shown how fast the picture can shift, and if it does, the deadline conversation changes with it.
That’s why a few Cubs shouldn’t assume they’re untouchable.
Shota Imanaga is one of them. If the Cubs are buying, there’s no real path to moving a big-league pitcher from a staff already stretched by injuries.
But if Chicago slips and turns into a seller, Imanaga would be part of those discussions. After the rough finish he had to the 2025 season, he’s been about what the Cubs likely expected this year: flashes of dominance mixed with some ugly outings.
Even so, there would be interest if he became available. That said, that only comes into play if the Cubs are selling outright.
Matt Shaw is in a trickier spot. On one hand, he appears to have a path to becoming a starting outfielder for the Cubs next season.
On the other, he’s also one of the organization’s most attractive trade chips. For now, health is the first issue.
Shaw is dealing with a wrist sprain and isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break.
What happens in July could shape his status. If the Cubs keep winning and stay within reach of the Milwaukee Brewers in the division, Shaw could come up in trade talks. A deal isn’t the most likely outcome, but it’s definitely not off the table.
Pedro Ramirez may be even more vulnerable than Shaw. He has only 59 plate appearances, but he hasn’t looked overwhelmed in the majors.
Still, unlike Shaw, there isn’t an obvious lane for Ramirez to take on a bigger role with the Cubs after this season. If Chicago goes looking for controllable pitching, Ramirez may not be on the firmest ground.
Kevin Alcantara also looks like a name to watch. He’s with the Cubs right now while Shaw works back from the wrist sprain, but the way the team has handled him over the past year makes it seem like he won’t be around for long. The Cubs clearly don’t see Alcantara as a replacement for Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki next season, and the next step for him appears to be a trade.
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Cubs Deadline Rumors Just Took A Very Familiar Turn
The Tigers have put a pair of familiar deadline names on the board in Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, and the Cubs are once again being mentioned in the mix as the market starts to sort itself out. For Chicago, the appeal is obvious: rotation help is hard to find in late July, and Detroits willingness to listen gives the Cubs another avenue to explore if they decide the staff needs a boost.
What makes this one worth watching is how the Cubs view their place in the National League Central as the deadline gets closer. If theyre hanging around the Brewers, the front office could be pushed toward a more aggressive approach, but the financial side matters too, and that may shape how far they go in chasing pitching help from Detroit. [Read more 🡒]
Major Pirates Injury May Have Just Changed Everything For Cubs
The Pirates have been forced to absorb another hit in a season already shaped by injuries, and it comes at a moment when every roster decision carries extra weight. Their young shortstop has been one of the more important bats in the lineup, giving Pittsburgh a boost as it has stayed in the mix longer than many expected.
For the Cubs, the timing matters because the trade deadline is never just about who buys and who sells, but how aggressively a division rival feels it needs to respond. If Pittsburgh is suddenly less inclined to push chips in, Chicago could find one more competitor easing off the gas at exactly the wrong time. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Linked To The Deadline Arm Their Rotation Desperately Needs
The Cubs search for rotation help has pushed them toward the trade market, and Freddy Peralta has emerged as a name worth watching. According to a report from The Athletics Will Sammon, Chicago has interest in the right-handed starter as it looks to reinforce a staff hit by injuries, and Peraltas expiring contract makes him the kind of deadline arm teams can actually move for in July.
There is also a familiar thread here for Craig Counsell, who spent six seasons with Peralta in Milwaukee and knows exactly what the starter can bring when he is right. The question for the Cubs is whether that comfort level, plus the immediate need on the mound, is enough to make Peralta a realistic target as the deadline chatter starts to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]