Three starting pitchers the Cubs should target ahead of the deadline

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Three starting pitchers the Cubs should target ahead of the deadline

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 24, 2026 12:23 PM ET

With a taxed starting rotation and not wanting to stretch out Justin Steele when he returns, the Chicago Cubs are in desperate need of starting pitching.

Manager Jed Hoyer shared that when Steele returns, he would rather have him pitch in the bullpen. He felt that it would be ''unrealistic'' for the left-hander to instantly be thrown into the rotation following recovery from elbow surgery.

The Cubs placed Edward Cabrera on the 15-day IL with a hamstring injury suffered when he was covering first base against the New York Mets on June 23. The Cubs also have Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd sidelined, but Boyd is expected to return to the rotation this week.

With the Cubs looking to make a postseason push, their main focus ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline is adding stabilizing the rotation. There are several enticing starters on the market that the Cubs can explore to help resolve their pitching woes.

Jed Hoyer Discusses Cubs' Pitching Needs https://t.co/2FEUVFAPTU pic.twitter.com/un3wBUGpO9
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 24, 2026

Reid Detmers- Los Angeles Angels

Left-handed starting pitcher Detmers has been a trade candidate on the rise this season. Detmers is a solid trade candidate for the Cubs as he fills the need for a southpaw in the rotation whose presence would work wonderfully alongside anchor Shota Imanaga.

Detmers also remains under team control through arbitration for two more seasons, which establishes him as a valuable long-term asset rather than a short-term rental.

He is also known for racking up strikeouts, with a 27.2% strikeout rate that ranks in the 81st percentile. He is a cost-effective option with high-upside.

Tarik Skubal- Detroit Tigers

While pursuing reigning AL Cy Young winner would completely transform the Cubs rotation, it would require shipping off a hefty prospect package to the Tigers. But the Cubs are willing to offload top utility infield prospect Matthew Shaw.

When it comes to Skubal, he does match the Cubs' desire to add a left-handed front-line starter that would provide the team with a ''stopper."

As an elite ace, he would massively upgrade the Cubs' rotation and help to mend the inconsistencies produced by numerous injuries. While the Cubs have had their ups and downs this season, they remain wild card contenders and Skubal would be a game-changer for October baseball.

Joe Ryan- Minnesota Twins

Ryan has come up as a top trade target that the Cubs should explore. Ryan's performance this season has been top-notch with a 5-3, 2.99 ERA and 99 strikeouts.

He would be a suitable arm to have in the Cubs rotation not only to help in the postseason but also for the Cubs' future. Ryan remains under team control through 2027, which would make him a stable fixture in the rotation with the return of Steele and Horton.

Ryan is also an ace that doesn't come with a ridiculous price tag ($6.1 million this season), making him a prime option to pursue. In return the Twins would likely want two to three high-end prospects.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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