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The alarm bells are sounding for the Chicago Cubs to make a trade for pitching help after giving up 54 runs in their last six outings since Thursday.
Starting pitcher Ben Brown allowed eight runs in Monday’s 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night before Jameson Taillon gave up eight in Tuesday night’s 8-7 loss to the Cardinals.
Chicago has lost five of those last six games and now only commands a 2.5-game lead on the Milwaukee Brewers and Cardinals for first place in the NL Central. With Brown being sent down to Iowa, the Cubs are in need of more depth, even with Shota Imanaga returning to the mound on Thursday.
The Chicago Cubs keeping an eye on 3 pitchers
Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs are “keeping a close eye” on three starting pitchers, and he named a third baseman who might replace rookie Matt Shaw. Nightengale believes Hoyer will make a big move, knowing that failure means the end of his time in Chicago.
“Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, whose contract expires after the season, knows what’s at stake,” Nightengale wrote. “They are scouring the market for a starter, keeping a close eye on Alcantara (2 ½ years remaining on his 5-year, $56 million contract), Keller (3 ½ years remaining on his 5-year, $70 million deal) and Luis Severino of the Athletics (2 ½ years remaining on his 3-year, $67 million contract).
“It’s highly unlikely, however the A’s would consider trading Severino and risk the fallout, even with his dramatic home/road splits (0-7, 6.79 at home; 2-0, 0.93 on the road). Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon could also be intriguing.”
A replacement for Matt Shaw?
Nightengale’s blurb on McMahon is interesting given Shaw’s recent struggles at the plate. Shaw, 23, was already sent down to Iowa earlier in the season due to hitting issues. He’s now batting .220/.297/.311 with an OPS of .608 with two home runs and nine RBI.
However, Shaw has just two hits in 16 at-bats in his last six games.
McMahon has a .225 batting average with 12 home runs, an OPS of .738, and 25 RBI this season. McMahon, 30, would give the Cubs a little more power at the plate than Shaw for the postseason.
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TODAY'S BEST
Dream (but realistic) trade targets for every MLB team this offseason
Every MLB offseason brings its share of blockbuster rumors and bold predictions, but some trade ideas actually make sense — for both sides. With free agency about to heat up and front offices reshaping rosters for 2026, Yardbarker MLB writers looked at one dream (but still realistic) trade target for every MLB team. From contenders looking for that final piece to rebuilders seeking a spark, these hypothetical moves blend star power with plausibility. Here’s how all 30 teams could swing a deal that transforms their outlook heading into next season (2025 records in parentheses). AL East Baltimore Orioles (75-87) | LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: The Orioles traded for ace right-hander Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season, and that worked well. Why not try to employ the same strategy with Skubal, an ace in his own right, as Baltimore looks to bounce back from a last-place finish? Skubal’s elite 2.21 ERA in 2025 would be a perfect fit atop the rotation. Boston Red Sox (89-73) | 2B/OF Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals: It’s unclear whether prospect infielders Kristian Campbell or Marcelo Mayer are the answer up the middle, but there’s no doubt that Donovan would be an established upgrade over both. The 2025 All-Star would bring positional versatility and solid offensive production (.772 career OPS) to a lineup that had trouble scoring at times. New York Yankees (94-68) | 1B/OF Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies: New York could lose outfielders Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in free agency, so the Yankees theoretically have both of Harper's positions to fill this winter. The veteran’s left-handed swing is made for the Yankee Stadium right-field short porch, which could help him improve upon a 2025 season in which he produced an .844 OPS, the lowest since his rookie season in 2012. Tampa Bay Rays (77-85) | LHP Mackenzie Gore, Washington Nationals: Typically, the Rays trade pitchers who are young but increasingly expensive (LHP Blake Snell, RHP Tyler Glasnow and RHP Chris Archer). This time, though, it could make sense for Tampa to swing for the fences with Gore, who boasts immense strikeout upside (10.4 K/9 in 2025) and is controllable through the 2028 season. The All-Star southpaw could also thrive in the team's analytics-driven pitching lab. Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) | RHP Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins: The Blue Jays nearly won the World Series, so they have a lot to look forward to. However, it wouldn’t hurt Toronto to replace members of its oldish rotation with someone like right-hander Ryan, whose 3.42 ERA in 30 starts with the Twins in 2025 should make him one of the top trade candidates of this offseason. — Seth Carlson AL West Athletics (76-86) | Infielder Nolan Gorman, St. Louis Cardinals: The A’s received virtually nothing from second and third in 2025. Former top prospect Zack Gelof should get another chance to prove himself, but the A’s do not have many options at third. Gorman, who hit 27 homers in 2023, may not cost much and could provide a respectable stopgap at the hot corner. Houston Astros (87-75) | IF/OF Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals: The Astros missed the postseason for the first time since 2016; the outfield was a key factor in that. Astros outfielders posted a .665 OPS, 25th in the majors. Donovan, who has predominantly played at second and left, would solve a black hole in the middle of the lineup and provide a needed left-handed hitter. Los Angeles Angels (72-90) | RHP Brady Singer, Cincinnati Reds: The Angels and Reds line up perfectly as trade partners. The Angels have a logjam in the outfield with either Jo Adell or Taylor Ward expected to be traded during the offseason. Meanwhile, the Reds have plenty of pitching and need help in the outfield. Singer, who has one more year of team control left, would be the most likely Reds pitcher to be dealt. He would solidify the middle of L.A.'s rotation. Seattle Mariners (90-72) | 3B Alec Bohm, Philadelphia Phillies: Because Eugenio Suarez is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Mariners will once again be looking for help at third. Bohm had been on the trading block during the 2024-25 offseason but remained in Philadelphia because no one would meet its price. Bohm hit just 11 homers and 18 doubles in 2025, crushing his trade value. Texas Rangers (81-81) | RHP Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rangers should have a solid top of the rotation with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. However, neither pitcher is a paragon of health. Keller has thrown at least 159 innings in each of the past four seasons and is under team control through 2028. He would be a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm. — David Hill AL Central Chicago White Sox (60-102) | 1B Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox: The rebuilding White Sox made progress in 2025 but have many holes remaining. Acquiring a player such as Casas could be a perfect buy-low option while improving the power for a team that ranked 23rd in the majors with 165 homers. Cleveland Guardians (88-74) | RHP Edward Cabrera, Miami Marlins: The Guardians need help in the lineup, but several top prospects are expected to make an impact in 2026. The same cannot be said for the rotation that is lacking a top-of-the-rotation arm. Cabrera finally put everything together for the Marlins in 2025 and is under team control through 2028. Miami has pitching depth, so Cabrera could be available. Detroit Tigers (87-75) | 3B Josh Jung, Texas Rangers: The Tigers need a third baseman and Jung could be the answer. The 2023 All-Star has seen his star dim over the past two seasons as he battled injuries and contact woes. Jung may need a change of scenery and could be what the Tigers need to get his brother, Jace, to tap into his potential. Kansas City Royals (82-80) | OF Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox: The outfield was one of the worst in the majors in 2025, ranking 29th with a .633 OPS. Duran may not be the player he was in 2024, but his ability to drive the ball into the gaps, excellent speed and stellar defense would be a perfect fit in Kauffman Stadium. Minnesota Twins (70-92) | RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets: The rotation disappointed in 2025 and sorely needs an ace. The Twins began to dismantle the roster at the 2025 trade deadline, so it's unlikely that pitchers Pablo Lopez or Joe Ryan will be with Minnesota in 2026. Both will be expensive. — David Hill NL West Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82) | RHP Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays: The Diamondbacks had issues with the bullpen throughout 2025 (27th in the league with a 4.82 ERA) and it will likely be a point of emphasis for the team this offseason. Fairbanks totaled 27 saves last season and pitched a career-high 60.1 innings. There is a club option for $11 million that the Rays will likely pick up only if they can trade him. At 32, Fairbanks might be worth it for one season in the desert. Colorado Rockies (43-119) | RHP Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers: It’s a new day in Denver with a new GM coming soon. Colorado desperately needs starting pitching, especially an ace. The Rockies have a crowded outfield in terms of proven players and prospects, so they could work a deal with Milwaukee, a team that they have traded with, and secure a big arm. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) | OF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians: After a year in which the Dodgers had to overlook some deficiencies in the outfield with Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernandez, landing someone like Kwan makes sense for the two-time defending champions. Kwan doesn’t strike out much (only 8.7 percent of the time in 2025), something the Dodgers needed when their offense sputtered in the postseason. San Diego Padres (90-72) | RHP Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins: Depending on what happens with pitchers Michael King and Dylan Cease, the Padres are going to need someone who can step in as a face of the rotation. Alcantara, 30, has a $19 million deal for 2026 and a $21 million team option for 2027, so he won’t come to San Diego cheap. However, the NL West will be another arms race in 2026, and Alcantara could be a fascinating addition for the Padres. San Francisco Giants (81-81) | LHP JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals: Adding a solid southpaw to the bullpen is rarely a bad move, and the 29-year-old Romero has been quietly building a reputation as one of the best lefties in the late innings. He’s controlled through arbitration through the 2026 campaign and has logged 57 holds over the past three seasons. Pitching is expected to be a priority for the Giants this offseason. — Kevin Henry NL East Atlanta Braves (76-86) | SS Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros: The former World Series MVP was drafted by the Braves out of high school in 2015 but chose not to sign. Perhaps a reunion is in order in Atlanta, which has desperately needed a true shortstop since the departure of Dansby Swanson during the 2022 offseason. The 28-year-old Pena was named an All-Star in 2025, batting .304 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI in 125 games. Miami Marlins (79-83) | 1B/OF Alec Burleson, St. Louis Cardinals: Miami exceeded expectations in 2025 and, if they have a strong offseason, could be a sleeper contender for an NL wild-card spot in 2026. Before that happens, though, they must solve their first base conundrum by trading for Burleson, who can play there and in the outfield. Burleson, who will turn 27 on Nov. 25, posted a career-high .801 OPS with 18 homers and 69 RBI in 2025. New York Mets (83-79) | LHP Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: Skubal, in line for his second straight AL Cy Young Award, would be a dream trade candidate for any team but especially owner Steve Cohen and the Mets. New York desperately needs a frontline starter after its pitching largely failed it in 2025. Philadelphia Phillies (96-66) | C Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles: Longtime catcher J.T. Realmuto is a free agent and, despite entering his age-35 season in 2026, is expected to be a hot commodity on the open market. It’s clear the Phillies must get younger at the position, and acquiring the former No. 1 overall pick from Baltimore would be a solid way to secure their future at backstop and keep their competitive window open. Rutschman, who will turn 28 on Feb. 6, hasn't lived up to his draft pedigree but still has decent upside. Washington Nationals (66-96) | RHP Jonah Tong, New York Mets: The Nationals are more than one piece from being competitive, so Washington’s focus should be who they can acquire in potential trades for left-hander MacKenzie Gore, 2B Luis Garcia Jr. and OF Robert Hassell III. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed a wild divisional trade that would send Tong to the Nationals for Gore. — Lauren Amour NL Central Chicago Cubs (92-70) | RHP Shane Bieber, Toronto Blue Jays: Chicago leaned heavily on veteran arms in its rotation, with 34-year-old Matthew Boyd anchoring the staff. Bieber, 30, joined the Blue Jays this season, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA and 1.017 WHIP. With Chicago expected to be a playoff-level team in 2026, Bieber could be another experienced arm to help with a deep postseason run. Cincinnati Reds (83-79) | LHP JoJo Romero, St. Louis Cardinals: The Reds need reliable back-end bullpen arms, and Romero offers late-inning experience. He became the Cardinals’ closer after the team dealt Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets. In 2025, Romero posted a 2.07 ERA, a career best in the big leagues, in 61 innings. Milwaukee Brewers (97-65) | 1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets: Milwaukee's lineup struggled to produce consistent power in 2025, finishing 22nd in MLB with 166 home runs. Alonso, who launched 38 home runs — leading all first basemen — would be an immediate upgrade. He also hit .272 and drove in 126 runs, the second most in the majors. Andrew Vaughn filled the role well after being traded to Milwaukee midseason, but Alonso would be the definitive No. 1 option. Pittsburgh Pirates (71-91) | 2B Brandon Lowe, Tampa Bay Rays: The Pirates haven’t made much of a trade splash in recent offseasons, so dealing for a proven bat like Lowe would be smart. He hit .256 with 31 home runs in 2025, bringing power and veteran experience to a younger lineup. St. Louis Cardinals (78-84) | RHP Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres: The pitching staff lacked swing-and-miss stuff in 2025, finishing 29th in MLB in strikeouts. Cease delivered 215 strikeouts over 168 innings — sixth most in MLB — and led the majors with 11.52 strikeouts per nine innings. — Taylor Bretl
Ravens acquire edge-rusher to further bolster attempted second-half surge
The Baltimore Ravens still have plenty of work to do to make up for their rough start to the 2025 season, but thanks to an aggressive front office, they might have a chance. On Monday, a day before the NFL's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, the Ravens acquired Tennessee Titans edge-rusher Dre'Mont Jones for a 2026 conditional fifth-round pick that has the potential to turn into a fourth-rounder, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Jones, 28, has 4.5 sacks this season, all in his last four games. The 2019 third-round pick began his career with the Denver Broncos, where he played four seasons before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as a 2023 free agent. After two seasons in Seattle, he signed a one-year, $10M contract in March to join the Titans. Dre'Mont Jones addition should help Ravens close gap in AFC North The Ravens, winners of two in a row, were already trending in the right direction before acquiring Jones. The trade makes Baltimore even more dangerous down the stretch. It's currently two games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3) but has two games remaining against the division leader Quarterback Lamar Jackson returned in Week 9 and was superb against the Miami Dolphins (2-7), ending the game 18-of-23 for 204 yards and four passing touchdowns. After an awful start to the season, the defense has turned a corner, too. The unit allowed at least 37 points to four of its first five opponents but is allowing an average of 13 points per game over its last three games. As much as the defense has improved, the pass-rush has remained largely non-existent. Entering "Monday Night Football," the Ravens ranked No. 29 in pressure rate (14.4%) and tied with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets for the league's second-fewest sacks (11). Baltimore is making a concerted effort to remain relevant in the AFC playoff picture. With Jones in the fold, the Ravens addressed arguably their biggest weakness, making them more dangerous for the stretch run.
Chargers-Jets Linked In Unexpected Last-Minute Trade Deadline Buzz
The New York Jets are expected to be active at the trade deadline this season. They've already moved cornerback Michael Carter II, but they could have two or three more trades come together before Tuesday's trade deadline. The Jets have plenty of trade candidates like Breece Hall, Quincy Williams, and Allen Lazard. But there's also one potential trade candidate on their roster that nobody seems to be talking about. Thomas Martinez of Los Angeles Chargers OnSi recently suggested the Jets could trade backup offensive tackle Max Mitchell to the Los Angeles Chargers after Joe Alt's crushing ankle injury. Backup Jets OT Max Mitchell could be a trade candidate for the Chargers "Disaster struck in the second quarter as former Chargers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day took and outside rush lane on right tackle Trey Pipkins. Unfortunately, Titans edge rusher Jihad Ward also took a wide outside rush working against left tackle Joe Alt," Martinez wrote. "Both Titans defenders met at the top of the arc as Justin Herbert stepped up in the pocket. Joseph-Day violently crashed into Alt's legs as he was engaged with Ward. Joe Alt was carted off the field with a reaggravation of his injured ankle. "No, not Breece Hall. The Chargers need offensive line help. Chargers assistant general manager Chad Alexander was the Jets director of player personnel for five seasons before joining the Chargers. He was on the staff when the Jets drafted offensive tackle Max Mitchell in the fourth round of 2022. The Jets have a pair of young talented tackles ahead of Mitchell on the depth chart." Mitchell isn't a star, but he could plug a hole and fill a role for the Chargers. They desperately need to find an offensive tackle to replace Alt for the time being and Mitchell would be one of the easiest players to trade for in the league. It would likely cost the Chargers a late round pick swap, if that, to land the offensive lineman. Mitchell could be used as a depth piece for the Chargers when Alt returns, but he would be a crucial piece for the time being. It's an idea that hasn't been mentioned much, but it could certainly work if the Chargers are desperate enough.
Packers' rough roster situation somehow gets even worse after latest injury update comes out of nowhere
The Green Bay Packers are already thin at cornerback, and the situation will get worse over the next few weeks. According to Ryan Wood from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nate Hobbs will miss at least two games with a sprained MCL — it's a grade 1 tear to the ligament. Wood mentions that the injury "is not to the same knee he had surgically repaired for a torn meniscus in training camp," which caused him to miss the regular season opener. Track record of injuries for Nate Hobbs Throughout his NFL career, Hobbs has handled multiple injuries — ankle, knee, concussion. Those forced him to miss 16 games over his final three years with the Las Vegas Raiders, and ultimately were the main reason why the team didn't re-sign him. Available in free agency, Nate Hobbs signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers with $16 million in guarantees. This is the second knee injury Hobbs suffers since joining Green Bay. The first one caused him to miss part of training camp, preseason, and the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions. Now, he's set to miss more playing time. When available, Hobbs hasn't been effective either. So far this season, he's allowed a 123.7 passer rating when targeted, the worst number amongst Packers defensive backs. He was benched in favor of former seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine over the past two games. Even though he had primarily been a slot defender throughout his career, Hobbs has played more as a boundary corner for the Packers — 222 snaps outside and 38 in the slot. Thin at cornerback Without Nate Hobbs, a difficult situation at corner gets even more complicated. Beyond starters Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, the options are converted wide receiver Bo Melton and Kamal Hadden. Safety Javon Bullard is the starting slot. Green Bay also has Tyron Herring on the practice squad — and safety Johnathan Baldwin can play at corner as well. This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Green Bay, as "Packers' rough roster situation somehow gets even worse after latest injury update comes out of nowhere."
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