Cubs continue dumpster diving to fortify pitching staff

The Chicago Cubs keep hoping to catch lightning in a bottle as they look to supplement a battered pitching staff. 

That quest to find something resembling a competent major league arm continued on Saturday. The Cubs announced that they had acquired pitcher Aaron Civale and cash considerations from the Athletics in exchange for minor league pitcher Aiden Moffett.

Civale had spent the final month of the 2025 season with the Cubs after being acquired on waivers from the Chicago White Sox. He appeared in five games down the stretch, allowing three runs on seven hits, including three homers, over his 13 innings, striking out 14 batters. Overall, Civale posted a 4.85 ERA and a 1.265 WHiP over his 102 innings between three teams, striking out 88 batters with 33 walks.

Chicago Cubs hoping Aaron Civale can replicate previous stint with franchise

Civale was unable to build off of that successful month during his time with the A's. He posted a 5.42 ERA and a 1.621 WHiP over his 74.2 innings before being designated for assignment on Wednesday, striking out 58 batters with 23 walks.

An undrafted free agent, Moffett has appeared in 17 games between the Arizona Complex League and A-ball. He has struck out 25 batters in 22.1 innings, but has also issued 42 walks, hit five batters and uncorked 11 wild pitches. 

For the Cubs, Civale is the latest of a stream of lower-cost options as they look to fortify their pitching staff. The likes of David Peterson, Jake Woodford, Vince Velasquez and Ty Blach have cycled through Chicago in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle. As Civale found success with the Cubs previously, he could be a solid gamble.