The Chicago Cubs could make a late deal before the MLB trade deadline strikes at 6 p.m. ET on July 31, 2025. There are plenty of MLB rumors linking the Cubs to a variety of veteran pitchers as Chicago makes a push to attempt to win another World Series.
The Cubs already made moves to acquire a pair of pitchers on July 30, by trading for Andrew Kittredge in a deal with the Baltimore Orioles as well as adding Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals. It remains to be seen if more trades are on the way for Chicago before the clock strikes midnight on potential deals.
One intriguing name being linked Chicago is Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported that Eflin is among the veterans who the Cubs have explored trading for ahead of the deadline.
“The Cubs have talked at various times to the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays about their potentially available starters and to the Pittsburgh Pirates about Mitch Keller, as well as a handful of other teams, according to sources,” Rogers wrote in a July 30, 2025, story titled, “MLB trade deadline 2025: Breaking down Chicago Cubs’ options.”
“The Cubs are also candidates to land one of Arizona’s available pitchers — though, after another so-so performance by Zac Gallen over the weekend, righty Merrill Kelly, 37, is the more reliable of the two Diamondbacks pitchers. And they also have shown interest in Baltimore’s Zach Eflin.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Cubs trade rumors.
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Eflin is entering the final months of a three-year, $40 million contract. The former first-round draft pick could be had on the cheap given the Orioles are in danger of losing Eflin for nothing in free agency.
One player who the Cubs will not be trading for is Shane Bieber who the Toronto Blue Jays acquired from the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber had been linked to the Cubs prior to the deadline deal.
Cubs Rumors: More Deals Could Be on the Way for Chicago at the MLB Trade Deadline
Eflin is not having his best season with a 5.93 ERA, the highest of his career since 2017, along with a 6-5 record. Whether Eflin or another player, there is a buzz that the Cubs could make additional moves.
“The Cubs failed to land (Eugenio) Suárez to upgrade third base, but rookie Matt Shaw has broken out offensively since the All-Star break, batting .359 with four homers and a 1.119 OPS,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote in a July 31, article titled, “The 8 biggest storylines to watch for on MLB trade deadline day.” “The bigger need for the Cubs is pitching, a starter in particular. Their trades for righty Michael Soroka and reliever Andrew Kittredge on Wednesday amounted to a decent beginning.
“Teams seeking rotation help continue to cite the sellers’ prices as steep, exorbitant, astronomical, pick an adjective. Well, the Cubs will have no excuse if they fail to come away with one of the available starters. Prior to the start of the season, The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked their farm system the sixth-best in the game.”
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