Cubs make another rotation addition with trade for Braxton Garrett

Braxton Garrett. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cubs make another rotation addition with trade for Braxton Garrett

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 3, 2026 3:58 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs headed into the MLB trade deadline knowing that starting pitching was an important area of focus.

Chicago first addressed that need when it acquired Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cubs have now added a second starting pitcher with an addition from the Miami Marlins.

Braxton Garrett is headed to Chicago

According to ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan, Chicago has acquired left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett from the Marlins.

Garrett is under team control through the 2028 season and is reportedly a player Chicago has long wanted to get in its pitching lab to develop and work with.

In return, Miami is receiving prospects Jonathan Long and Jace Beck.

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring left-hander Braxton Garrett in a trade with the Miami Marlins, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 3, 2026

Garrett has just 4 1/3 MLB innings under his belt this season. His 14.54 ERA in those limited innings caused him to spend most of the season at Triple-A.

Can he return to his 2023 form?

Garrett's last full season in the major leagues came in 2023 and he was extremely solid that year.

He pitched to a 3.66 ERA across 30 starts and 159 2/3 innings pitched. Garrett struck out 156 batters in 2023, just 13 less than he's combined for across the rest of his major league career.

Chicago prides itself on having one of the best pitching labs in all of baseball, so seeing what it is able to do with Garrett will be intriguing.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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