The Chicago Cubs are staring at the trade deadline with a clear problem: they need help in the rotation, and they need it badly.
Injuries have hammered the pitching staff, leaving president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer with the job of finding at least one arm, maybe two, that can steady the group for a postseason run. One name already being tied to Chicago is Freddy Peralta, the Mets right-hander who could be on the move as New York falls out of the playoff picture and his contract heads toward expiration.
The Athletic’s Will Sammon pointed to the Cubs on Tuesday as one of the most natural fits for Peralta.
"About one-third of the 30 teams, if not more, are potential contenders needing rotation help. The Chicago Cubs are desperate for it, making them an obvious team to watch for Peralta, who played six seasons under Chicago manager Craig Counsell in Milwaukee," Sammon wrote.
Peralta has had a mixed season, but the profile still fits a pitcher teams will chase in July. He owns a 4.68 ERA in 19 starts this year and remains the kind of arm that can matter in a big game.
Sammon also noted that Peralta recently began calling his own games on PitchCom rather than relying on the catcher. "Atlanta Braves with the intention of calling some of his own pitches using PitchCom for the first time this season," he added.
Other clubs will certainly check in on Peralta, but the Cubs stand out because of the need on the mound and the built-in connection with Counsell. With several pitchers injured and no long-term commitment required, Chicago looks like a team that makes a lot of sense in this chase.
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