The Chicago Cubs are competing with the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central and should be active ahead of the trade deadline.
The deadline is set for July 31, and the Cubs will likely look to add more pitching to their roster. Chicago could use an upgrade in the rotation, and ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan links them to an intriguing target.
Ahead of the deadline, Passan urges the Cubs to acquire Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians.
“Chicago needs to land at least one starting pitcher at this deadline. And the former AL Cy Young winner is very available,” Passan wrote. “He still hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season, but his stuff has looked crisp during his three minor league outings, according to scouts who have seen him, and the acquisition cost won’t be nearly as prohibitive as that of other pitchers on the market. The ceiling, meanwhile, could be every bit as high, and while there’s inherent risk involved with a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery — particularly one with a $16 million player option — it’s a risk a team like the Cubs should feel plenty comfortable taking.”
Bieber has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, so it would be a risk to acquire him as he hasn’t pitched in the majors. But when he’s healthy, he’s a front-of-the-line starter who can start playoff games for the Cubs.
Bieber went 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 21 starts in 2023, which was his last full season before the injury.
Bieber Drawing Trade Interest Ahead of Deadline
As Bieber is getting closer to returning to the majors, he’s drawing trade interest from teams.
Guardians insider Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports that Bieber is getting trade calls on him.
“The Guardians have received calls on Bieber, and they know all about midseason acquisitions of pitchers recovering from injury. They signed Matthew Boyd and traded for Alex Cobb last summer to rescue their rotation,” Meisel wrote.
Although Bieber is getting trade interest, Meisel says the Guardians need a good-ranked prospect for him. Despite the right-hander not pitching in the majors yet.
“For Cleveland to move Bieber, it would need to acquire a prospect with more potential than whoever it could select with the draft pick it would recoup if Bieber departs in free agency,” Meisel added.
Ultimately, a team like the Cubs could deal a prospect ranked in the 5-10 range and then another prospect who Cleveland takes a flier on for Bieber.
Cubs Showing Interest in Front-Line Starter
Chicago has been linked to starters and relievers ahead of the deadline.
Ahead of the trade deadline, Cubs insiders Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report that Chicago is looking to acquire MacKenzie Gore.
“The Cubs are very interested in MacKenzie Gore, a top-of-the-rotation arm under team control through 2027,” Mooney and Sharma wrote. “A blockbuster deal with the Washington Nationals would set the Cubs up for the playoffs and eliminate an offseason need. The cost to acquire Gore, however, is currently viewed as sky-high.”
If the Cubs can’t land Gore, perhaps they look at lower-end options like Bieber.
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