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Cubs Trade Idea Lands 3.24 ERA Lefty Starter

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 12:20 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are having the exact type of season they had hoped for this spring.

Both superstar outfielder Kyle Tucker and President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer are in contract years, and this season needed to be (and still needs to be) a successful one.

The bullpen could always use another arm, and there are serious questions about Chicago’s third base situation. However, with ace Justin Steele out for the season and no clear-cut fifth starter in this rotation, starting pitchers should be atop the Cubs’ wishlist this trade deadline

Jim Bowden of The Athletic mentioned Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Andrew Heaney among the possible starting pitcher targets for the Cubs.

Here is what the potential trade could look like:

Cubs receive: LHP Andrew Heaney

Pirates receive: 1B/3B Cole Mathis (No. 14)

Heaney, at 34 years old and in the final year of his contract, should come at a reasonable price, even with an assumed division tax. He is putting together another solid year on the mound with a 3.24 ERA, a 4.37 FIP, and 52 strikeouts to 24 walks over 72 and 1/3 innings.

Heaney has also only made six career postseason appearances, five of which came with the Texas Rangers during their 2023 championship run. But, despite a limited sample size, Heaney has not shown much of a drop-off compared to the regular season with a 3.86 ERA, a 4.30 FIP, and eight strikeouts to six walks.

He would fit in nicely alongside Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Colin Rea, while young guys like Ben Brown and Cade Horton could serve as long relievers.

Mathis is an intriguing prospect, and while Chicago might need another prospect attached to this deal, he aligns with Pittsburgh’s farm system needs.

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

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