The Chicago Cubs are sending a clear message this season: they're all-in on winning a World Series. Despite a devastating wave of injuries to their starting rotation, the Cubs boast an impressive 27-14 record—second-best in the Majors, trailing only the powerhouse Atlanta Braves. But president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer isn't satisfied. According to FanSided's Robert Murray, Hoyer is expected to be aggressive at the trade deadline, zeroing in on adding another arm—or two—to the rotation.
The Cubs have lost key starters Cade Horton (out for the season), Justin Steele, and Matthew Boyd to injuries. While Horton's absence is a major blow, the team has stayed afloat, but the need for reliable pitching depth is clear. Enter a potential blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Twins that could bring All-Star right-hander Joe Ryan to Chicago.
Ryan, 29, has been a model of consistency this season, striking out 9.1 batters per nine innings and posting a 3.43 ERA through his first nine starts. He recently bounced back from a right elbow scare, throwing a season-high 107 pitches in his last outing—a testament to his durability. Murray notes that Ryan was a popular trade target at last year's deadline, with the Boston Red Sox among the interested suitors, and his value has only grown.
"This would require a big swing, with plenty of prospect capital going to Minnesota," Murray wrote. "I'm skeptical that Hoyer would make a move of this magnitude after trading Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for [Edward] Cabrera." Still, the fit is undeniable. Ryan is exactly what the Cubs need: a dependable arm who takes the ball every fifth day and can anchor a postseason rotation. With him in the mix, Chicago could have the firepower to dethrone the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
For Cubs fans, this trade idea is more than just speculation—it's a sign that Hoyer is hell-bent on bringing another title to Wrigley Field. And in a season where every win counts, adding a pitcher like Ryan could be the move that pushes them over the top.