The Chicago Cubs may not be finished dealing, as there’s still a chance they pursue another starting pitcher early in the season.
After a rough opening series loss to the Washington Nationals, Chicago bounced back with a win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. A big reason for that turnaround was the dominant outing from newly acquired ace Edward Cabrera, who delivered six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five.
Although it was tough seeing Owen Caissie—the key piece sent away in the Cabrera deal—shine over the opening weekend, Cabrera’s performance helped ease concerns. Still, with some inconsistency in the rotation, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer could consider adding another arm.
There are already some warning signs. Matthew Boyd struggled badly on Opening Day, while Shota Imanaga had a rough outing shortly after. While Cade Horton showed promise, and Jameson Taillon is set to pitch under pressure following a difficult spring, the rotation still feels uncertain.
The eventual return of Justin Steele—who is recovering from surgery—should help, but counting on him alone to stabilize the staff would be risky. If improvements don’t come quickly, the Cubs may need reinforcements.
Hoyer has never hesitated to explore the trade market, especially for back-end starters or versatile arms capable of handling multiple innings. While it’s unclear who might be available at this stage, Chicago could also look internally. Ben Brown, who impressed in spring training but began the season in the bullpen, is one name to watch if the team seeks rotation help.
A blockbuster move seems unlikely for now, but it’s clear the Cubs’ pitching staff will be closely evaluated—and another deal remains very much on the table if results don’t improve.
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