The Cubs are back in a groove, and Dansby Swanson’s historic stretch over the last few games has helped spark the offense. Even so, Chicago still has a clear problem to solve before the MLB trade deadline, which is a little over a month away: the rotation needs help.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield has pointed the Cubs toward New York Mets starter Freddy Peralta, though Chicago may not be alone in that pursuit. Schoenfield also mentioned the White Sox, setting up a possible bidding war between the Crosstown rivals for one of the more appealing arms on the market.
“Chicago White Sox/Chicago Cubs: Trade for Peralta,” Schoenfield writes. "...
As a result, the White Sox are last in innings pitched from their starters. They need another one. ...
The Cubs have run hot and cold all season... so another seasoned starter is key."
For Chicago, the need is obvious. Injuries have hit the rotation, with Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton all dealing with issues, and the rest of the group has been uneven when healthy. That leaves the Cubs in a spot where adding a proven starter feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.
Peralta wouldn’t be a Tarik Skubal-type ace, but he does stand above many of the rental options likely to be available. He’s still carrying a 4.81 ERA this season, yet he remains one of the better starters on the market.
That’s why Jed Hoyer and the Cubs will likely have to push hard if they want him. With a defense that can be elite and an offense capable of catching fire, Chicago looks like a team that could be pushed into real World Series contention by stronger pitching alone.
And if the White Sox are in the mix too, the Cubs may have to win a true Chicago showdown to land the starter they want. With few attractive alternatives beyond Peralta and Skubal, the race for pitching help could get expensive fast.
In Other News...
White Sox May Try A Surprising Plan With A Top Pitching Prospect
Tanner McDougal is getting close to pitching again, which gives the White Sox another important arm to monitor as they think about how best to handle one of their higher-upside young pitchers. The organization has been patient with the right-hander while he works back from a flexor strain, and his return comes at a time when Chicago is still sorting through long-term plans for its pitching pipeline.
What makes McDougal especially interesting is the possibility that his next step might not be the straight line most prospects take. The White Sox have precedent for easing talented arms in through relief before stretching them out later, and there is at least some logic to that path for a pitcher whose workload still needs to be managed. Whether that becomes a short-term bridge or something more meaningful for his development is the question hanging over his comeback. [Read more 🡒]
Two White Sox Pitching Rehabs Just Became Worth Watching
Two White Sox pitching rehabs are suddenly worth tracking in Winston-Salem, where Shane Smith and Tanner McDougal both opened their assignments with scoreless work for the Dash. Smith handled two innings without allowing a walk or hit batter, while McDougal came back with a clean inning of his own and two strikeouts in three batters faced, a tidy pair of first steps after time away from game action.
For a Chicago club still sorting through arms, the timing matters as much as the results. Smiths return gives the White Sox another chance to monitor a pitcher trying to reestablish himself, and McDougals outing arrives with the possibility that his path back could be shaped by what the organization needs most in the final weeks. The next few appearances should show whether these are just encouraging first reps or the beginning of something more useful for the big league picture. [Read more 🡒]