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Cubs Trade Idea Lands Rays' 3.86 ERA Veteran Amid Shota Imanaga News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Conor Liguori | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 2:51 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs' offense has been the primary catalyst for their first-place standing in the National League Central.

The potent lineup, consisting of MVP-caliber players like Kyle Tucker and breakout star Pete Crow-Armstrong, is one significant reason the Cubs have continued to win games despite the absence of starting pitchers Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Javier Assad.

Imanaga threw a bullpen on Saturday and might face live hitters soon, per Andy Martinez of the Marquee Sports Network.

Even with Imanaga's eventual return, the Cubs may look to upgrade the back-end of their rotation with a trade.

Clutchpoints' Zachary Howell believes the Tampa Bay Rays veteran starter Zach Littell could be a good add for Chicago.

"The Cubs will be without Justin Steele for the rest of the season. Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have played well in his absence," wrote Howell. "However, the back end of Craig Counsell's rotation is questionable. Littell is a younger pitcher who can come in and provide the complimentary pitching necessary to boost their staff."

Littell, 29, is a free agent at season's end and is in his eighth Major League Baseball season, and third with the Rays. The right-hander leads MLB with 16 home runs allowed in 74.2 innings this season, but has his ERA at a respectable 3.86 despite that.

The Rays are 8-2 in their last 10 games and only 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East on June 1, but a pitcher like Littell may be someone they can afford to lose, for the right price.

"While the Rays' direction is a bit unclear, Chicago has some young talent that could entice Tampa Bay," wrote Howell. "Letting go of Littell would be a tough pill to swallow. Getting a player like Miguel Amaya or Vidal Brujan back would lighten the blow significantly."

If the Cubs were to deal Amaya, one of their catchers, they could promote prospect Moises Ballesteros for the remainder of the season, but whether they would consider a move that drastic for Littell is a question mark.

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

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