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Cubs Targeting Orioles' Two-Time World Series Champion to Stabilize Rotation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 12:30 PM ET

With pressure mounting, the Chicago Cubs are approaching the trade deadline with urgency. Locked in a tight NL Central race with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs have not reached the playoffs or won the division since 2020. Now, with star outfielder Kyle Tucker set to hit free agency this winter and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer in the final year of his contract, the stakes could not be higher.

Arguably Chicago’s best roster in five years, the current group represents a window the front office knows it can’t afford to waste. The starting rotation is one area the Cubs have made no secret about upgrading. Shota Imanaga has returned from injury and continues to pitch like a true October ace. Matthew Boyd is enjoying a late-career resurgence, while Jameson Taillon has eaten valuable innings for a staff that has battled injuries all season.

Still, Chicago knows it needs more for a team with playoff expectations and internal pressure to deliver.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Cubs are targeting Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton.

Morton, 41, is the epitome of a rental arm hired to provide quality innings in a second-half playoff push. Although the right-hander has struggled this season with a 5.58 ERA, he has made 15 starts and is reliable to toe the rubber every fifth day. What Morton provides on said day is anyone’s guess, but his last six starts show promise of better roads ahead.

Since June 13th, Morton has posted a 3.86 ERA and 35 strikeouts across 32.2 innings. He is not the pitcher he once was and is not the flashy acquisition for which Cubs fans are clamoring. But Morton can stabilize the backend of Chicago’s starting rotation, which has been in disarray for most of the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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