The Dodgers are on the verge of adding another big name to their already star-studded roster, with former Cubs All-Star Kyle Tucker expected to sign in the coming days. But before they can make it official, there’s some roster math to sort out. With a full 40-man roster, Los Angeles needs to clear space-and that likely means a trade is coming.
According to reports, the Dodgers are expected to move either Ryan Ward or Bobby Miller as the corresponding transaction. And while both players bring different skill sets to the table, either one could be a real asset to a team like the Cubs, who are still shaping their 2026 roster.
Let’s start with Ryan Ward. The 27-year-old outfielder has been a power threat at every stop in the Dodgers’ system.
Since 2021, he’s topped 20 home runs at each level, and last season at Triple-A, he posted a strong .290/.380/.557 slash line with 36 homers. That’s not just solid production-that’s the kind of offensive output that turns heads, even if it hasn’t yet earned him a big-league call-up.
Ward’s situation mirrors that of Michael Busch, who was blocked in L.A. before being dealt to the Cubs ahead of the 2024 season. With a crowded Dodgers outfield and no clear path to playing time, Ward could be the odd man out. But for the Cubs, who are staring down the potential departures of Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ after this season, Ward might be exactly the kind of controllable, power-hitting outfielder worth taking a chance on.
Then there’s Bobby Miller, and this is where things get a little more intriguing. The 26-year-old right-hander came into the league with a ton of hype, flashing a fastball that can touch triple digits and showing real promise during his rookie campaign in 2023, when he posted a 3.76 ERA across 22 starts. But since then, things haven’t quite gone according to plan.
The Dodgers have leaned heavily into building their rotation through trades and free-agent signings over the past two seasons, and Miller has slipped down the depth chart as a result. That doesn’t mean he’s lost his upside-far from it. Miller still has minor-league options and years of team control remaining, which makes him an appealing target for a team like the Cubs, who are looking to add both talent and long-term flexibility to their pitching staff.
Chicago has already made a move for Edward Cabrera and has reportedly shown interest in Zac Gallen. But Gallen would come with a hefty price tag-likely upwards of $22 million per year-and his next contract could include an opt-out after just one season. Miller, on the other hand, offers a more affordable, controllable option who could grow into a key piece of the rotation.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture here. The Cubs are eyeing the future of their rotation with Jameson Taillon, Shota Imanaga, and Matthew Boyd all set to hit free agency next winter. Adding someone like Miller now could help stabilize things long-term, while also giving them a live arm with upside for the present.
Whether the Dodgers ultimately part ways with Ward or Miller, there’s a real opportunity here for the Cubs to capitalize. The Busch trade has already paid dividends for Chicago, and there’s reason to believe another deal with L.A. could be just as impactful.
In a league where depth and flexibility are everything, this is one of those roster crunch moments that could quietly reshape a team’s future. And if the Cubs play their cards right, they might just come out of it with another key piece for the years ahead.