MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest Cubs-related free agent and trade rumors right here.
June 11: Cubs' Hoyer says team will target pitching in trade market
The Cubs have climbed to the top of the NL Central and own one of the best records in baseball largely on the back of their potent lineup. The North Siders entered Wednesday with the second-most runs of any team (374) and ranked third in wRC+ (119) and fourth in OPS (.775).
Chicago's pitching staff held its own despite some injuries to marquee names, but if there is an area where the Cubs could use an upgrade at the Trade Deadline, it's there. And president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is well aware of that.
"Obviously, you don’t know what’s going to happen in the next month and a half with that group, but right now the focus would be on adding pitching and adding pitching depth," Hoyer said Wednesday. "I think that would be the clear thing."
The Cubs have weathered the absences of their top two starting pitchers, Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele. Imanaga could return from his left hamstring strain by the end of this month, but with Steele out for the year, and injuries to Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks cutting into that aforementioned depth, the team may be on the hunt for an impact arm. Who could be available?
Marlins right-hander and 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara is expected to be one of the biggest names on the starting pitching trade block this summer. Even though he has a 7.14 ERA through 13 starts this season in his return from Tommy John surgery, Alcantara's track record, power fastball and 2 1/2 years of remaining club control should make him a coveted player in trade talks, especially in what currently looks like a thin market for quality starting pitching.
Other notable starters who could be available include the Orioles' Zach Eflin, the D-backs' Zac Gallen, the Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt, and the Angels' Tyler Anderson.