The Chicago Cubs will almost certainly make a move. The pitching staff has already been derailed by injuries, which is not something any Major League Baseball team wants to deal with.
With Justin Steele now having a second option, things could only get worse.
The Cubs are under pressure to make the playoffs and compete at the highest level, and they are in a good spot with a 9-6 record and first in the National League Central.
However, Jed Hoyer does not want to miss out on the postseason due to a lack of moves at the deadline.
It will be interesting to see what direction the Cubs take during the deadline. They have a farm system that could potentially yield anything in return, but if Hoyer’s history is any indication, he isn’t always willing to let go of some of his top prospects.
With this likely being a do-or-die situation for his job, he may be tempted to move one of them.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report is unsure whether the Cubs will need to trade one of their top prospects, but he did mention a few players they could pursue in a trade. In one of his ideas, they would sign Cal Quantrill from the Miami Marlins.
Quantrill’s numbers have been as polarizing as they get. When he first joined the league with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians, he had above-average talent. In 40 appearances in 2021, he had a 2.89 ERA.
After being traded to the Colorado Rockies in 2024, he had a 4.90 ERA. In just 9.0 innings with the Marlins, he has allowed six earned runs and two home runs.
It doesn’t look promising for a team like the Cubs, but if they don’t want to part with an elite prospect, he could be a viable option.
