Chicago Cubs Top Two Trade Targets Now Considered Unlikely Additions
Throughout the offseason, the Chicago Cubs have made an effort to add more arms. They’ve accomplished that task, but there’s still a need for another starter. On a recent podcast episode, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic discussed what the Cubs still have to do before the season. Pitching was a topic, but it was revealed that there isn’t much hope towards a Cubs trade for either of the San Diego Padres star starting pitchers. On Friday, it was revealed that the Padres agreed to a new contract with Michael King. It is a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2026 season. The contract is also worth less than King’s projected arbitration salary. King has some bonuses added, which could reach $8 million, including an extra $50K if he starts in 20 games and bonuses of $100K for reaching anywhere from 25 to 28 starts. This contract doesn’t mean he won’t be traded, but it helps the Padres financially and could allow them to keep him in town. As for Dylan Cease, the Padres could entertain a trade with the Cubs, but it would likely require them to move Matt Shaw. Trading Shaw for Cease, who hits free agency in 2026, would be a tough decision.
The Chicago Cubs are loaded with prospects heading into the 2025 season. Seven of their prospects are ranked in the ESPN’s top 100 list.
However, in a recent ranking by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, they have actually slipped from last season.
In McDaniels’ rankings, the Cubs farm system was ranked 10th among all MLB teams, a strong dropoff from being the second-ranked prospect pool entering the 2024 campaign.
Their top prospect, Matt Shaw, has a good chance of making the team’s Opening Day roster, but that is contingent on what other moves the Cubs make with spring training approaching. Some of those moves include the potential signings of Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso.
The Cubs lack starting pitching depth, which could be promising news for right-handed prospect Cade Horton, who is looking to have a strong spring training coming off a shoulder injury.
