The Cubs are dominating the NL Central with a 40–26 record. But behind the success lurks a serious concern: Their bullpen is still a work in progress. The season-ending injury to their Cy Young ace, Justin Steele, was a gut punch the team never saw coming. Even though they’ve managed to hold things together, the gap he left in the rotation is simply too big to ignore.
Multiple arms have stepped up, but the struggles remain stubborn. Now, with the trade deadline fast approaching, President Jed Hoyer has stepped in, hinting that a solution is finally on the horizon.
Ever since Steele was sidelined due to UCL concerns, the Cubs have actively tested different options. He could only pitch four games before leaving. To make things worse, Shota Imanaga, who stepped up, hasn’t pitched as well since early May due to injury issues. Even though they’ve held down the fort with a depleted rotation, looking ahead, if they are hoping big, some improvements are necessary.
On the NY Post’s podcast The Show, Jed Hoyer revealed the Cubs’ desire to add pitching before the trade deadline. “I think we’re going to be looking for pitching both rotation and in the bullpen, and that’s not a secret. That’s not a knock on the guys we have. But I think in today’s game, you’ve got to keep building depth.”
There is no denying that they have been operating without a top-of-the-line starter, but Imanaga’s hopeful return is definitely good news. He is working his way back from a hamstring injury and is expected to return before the end of June.
Then again, even though Javier Assad has started playing catch after not pitching all season, there is no confirmation as to when he will be back on the roster. With top starters like him (including Steele) out of the game, their in-house starters had to step up.
“I think our guys have done a really good job of stepping up,” Hoyer commended. Well, he is not wrong. Cade Horton and Colin Rea, with Chris Flexen have all stepped up and delivered strong performances.
Just so you know, the Cubs are currently 17th in MLB teams for ERA at 3.85. So, as long as a player like Steele isn’t there as an anchor, it is only ideal to build their depth. He was an All-Star player who entered 2025 with a career ERA of 3.30. When he was moved to the IL in April, analyst Bruce Levine noted that the Cubs were “already browsing the trade market to look for pitching help.”
Now that the president has confirmed it himself, Levine has come up with some options for the Cubs to consider…
Is Merrill Kelly the missing piece in the Cubs’ rotation?
Right now, all the Cubs need is a strengthened pitching line as they look forward to October glory. As they aim to fill all the gaps before the trade deadline in July, many options are floating. Maybe their answer lies within the roster of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Their starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly, is in a soon-to-expire deal, which makes him one of the most likely trade candidates for the team. Levine firmly believes the Cubs should go after him.
“You’re looking for competent pitchers that can pitch innings for you. And you know, certainly a guy like Kelly is available, that would be a nice find for them,” Levine pointed out while talking on 670 The Score. Well, Kelly’s in the final year of a two-year, $18 million deal, with a $7 million club option for 2025. Definitely, a manageable price tag for the Cubs.
And surprisingly, even though he’s 36, he’s still putting up solid numbers. He is 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA and a WHIP of 0.99. In the 82 innings pitched across 14 games this season, he has 79 strikeouts to his name. He may not be a direct match for Steele, but he’s still a reasonable trade option.
As the Cubs search the market for the perfect fit, Kelly’s name should definitely be on that list. And if Kelly isn’t the answer, someone else has to be because the clock’s ticking.
The post Jed Hoyer Reveals Cubs’ Trade Plans as Justin Steele’s Lingering Absence Puts Franchise In Turbulence appeared first on EssentiallySports.