The Chicago Cubs need starting pitching help after losing left-hander Justin Steele for the rest of the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery to repair his left elbow. The Cubs could also use relief help to aid the defense, as the team boasts one of the best offenses in the league through the first month.
At 14-10, the Cubs have a one-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers. Chicago has amassed a surprising record given their tough competition in March in April. With the Cubs’ schedule looking much easier in May, the team’s prospects look good for winning the NL Central.
The Chicago Cubs might have to trade a promising outfielder
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score is reporting that the Cubs front office is exploring options to trade for a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher this spring. Levine thinks the Cubs would have to part with outfielder Owen Caissie to land a starting pitcher like Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins.
“If the Cubs were to make a deal for Alcantara at this time of the season, the price would be really steep and likely include outfielder Owen Caissie heading to the Marlins, among others,” Lavine wrote. “The Cubs have the prospect capital to pay a high price, a dynamic that’s helped by the fact that first baseman Michael Busch, catcher Miguel Amaya and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are all key contributors to the big league club now and are under contract control through at least 2029.
“Other names to keep an eye on as summer approaches are Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez, Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray and Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde.”
Owen Caissie has been a solid player in Triple-A
Caissie was drafted by the San Diego Padres with the No. 45 pick in the 2020 draft. The promising prospect bats as a lefty and throws right-handed. The native of Burlington, Ontario, came to Chicago in a trade that sent pitcher Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini to the Padres.
The Cubs optioned Caissie to Iowa to begin 2025. He hit .278/.375/.473 with 19 home runs and 75 RBI in 127 games with Iowa in 2024.
Levine thinks the Cubs could go after Athletics closer Mason Miller for help in the reliever trade market, but that would be an expensive acquisition.
“The most dominant young closer in the game is Athletics right-hander Mason Miller, who has struck out 13.3 batters per nine innings in his MLB career, which is now in its third season,” Levine wrote. “His command is outstanding, as evidenced by his 0.57 WHIP this season. The Athletics would demand a boatload of talent in a trade of Miller.”
These are the types of moves teams make if they’re all-in on a season. Given that the Cubs are the darling of sportsbooks to win the World Series in 2025, Chicago might make an aggressive move soon to land pitching help to complement their hot bats.
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