MLB Insider Calls Cubs Trade Fit for Recent 17-Win Ace, If He 'Becomes Available'

After going 2-8 over their past 10 outings, the Arizona Diamondbacks have dropped to 28-31 on the year. If that trend continues, insiders around the league believe they could begin a sell-off that better positions them for 2026 and beyond.

Passan is one of those insiders, identifying Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen as a potential Cubs target to watch for if he becomes available.

After detailing a trade idea for Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara on June 3, Passan added that "the calculus here could change if [Framber] Valdez or Gallen becomes available."

"Among Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs have a perfectly OK starting rotation to take into a playoff series," Passan noted within the article before warning:

"Considering the lineups they could face in the NL playoffs -- the [Los Angeles] Dodgers, [Philadelphia] Phillies, [New York] Mets and Diamondbacks, among others -- OK might not be enough."

Gallen is off to a rough start in 2025, similar to Alcántara, with a 5.54 ERA over 12 starts and 66.2 innings pitched. But this is still a 29-year-old recent ace with dominant stuff that we're talking about here, and the Cubs would benefit from either of the two high-end starters joining their staff.

Having said that, Gallen's potential availability via trade all depends on Arizona's status as a buyer or seller. This massive Diamondbacks decision could hinge on fellow starter Corbin Burnes' upcoming prognosis following an elbow injury.