Cubs Reel in 4 All-Stars and a Hoyer

Soroka was the only starting pitcher to join the team. Some might decide his 4.87 ERA is enough to call it a bad trade. Thankfully, Hoyer reads past the cover. Soroka had a poorly rated defense in the Nationals. His advanced stats tell a different story, so Jed gobbled him up. In exchange for Soroka, the Cubs spent No. 13 prospect infielder Ronny Cruz and No. 14 prospect, outfielder Christian Franklin.

Cruz was drafted in the third round by the Cubs in 2024 and plays short, second and third. He put up pretty good numbers in rookie ball and is somewhat capable with 10 steals but tragically was also caught seven times. Franklin was a fourth-round pick by the Cubs in 2021with an .820 OPS and 11 steals in 12 attempts in Triple-A this season. Last year in Double-A he swiped 34 bags.

RHP Andrew Kittredge

Kittredge is a savvy veteran who can really help the Cubs’ rotation down the stretch. The 35-year-old is holding down a less impressive than usual 3.45 ERA so far this year. He pitched for the Cardinals in 2024 and for the Orioles in 2025 right up until they traded him to the Cubs. In return for Kittredge, the Cubs traded SS Wilfri De La Cruz, the Cubs’ No. 17 prospect.

Utility Willi Castro

Castro will serve as a much-needed utility player who can bounce around all over the place. He’s got a little thump in his bat and some giddy up in his toes to match. The Cubs may have paid more in capital for Castro than anyone else before the deadline, stressing his importance. They sent a pair of Double-A pitchers in Ryan Gallagher, who was the Cubs’ No. 8 prospect along with Sam Armstrong to the Twins.

LHP Taylor Rogers

Rogers is a solid veteran lefty coming off a stellar first half of the season with a 2.45 ERA. The Cubs dealt outfield prospect Ivan Brethowr to the Pirates for him minutes before the buzzer went off. Rogers had been flipped along with cash considerations by the Pirates after having landed there for a day when he was displaced from the Reds’ Ke’Bryan Hayes trade. In a corresponding move, Ryan Pressley was designated for assignment.