The Cubs are identified to be trying far and large for pitching upgrades on the deadline, with each long-term and short-term arms on the group’s radar. Two extra names could be added to Chicago’s pitching search, as The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney writes that Braves nearer Raisel Iglesias “is one among a number of choices into account” for bullpen assist, and the Cubs are additionally “very fascinated with” the opportunity of buying and selling for Nationals southpaw MacKenzie Gore.
Iglesias is the way more clear-cut commerce candidate of the 2, as Iglesias is a free agent at season’s finish and the struggling Braves are nowhere close to the playoff race. Whereas Iglesias has a 5.09 ERA over 40 2/3 innings, his 3.00 SIERA is over two runs decrease, and his strikeout/stroll/hard-hit ball charges vary from strongly above-average to elite. The veteran righty’s ERA displays Iglesias’ tendency to get hit notably arduous when he does get hit, as 10 of his 23 earned runs allowed this season had been contained inside simply three outings (April 21 in opposition to the Giants, June 5 in opposition to the Diamondbacks, and July 19 in opposition to the Yankees).
It’s clear that Iglesias nonetheless has loads left within the tank at age 35, and may very well be a giant assist to a group in want of high-leverage relievers. The bullpen isn’t fairly as obtrusive a necessity because it appeared for the Cubs earlier within the season, but the aid corps has been shaky during the last month, and including Iglesias to the combo is an apparent enchancment. Daniel Valencia has been a revelation because the Cubs’ nearer, however given his lack of a confirmed observe file, Chicago might want to have a longtime nearer like Iglesias available.
Gore looks like a way more speculative pitcher on the wishlist. Nationals interim GM Mike DeBartolo not too long ago stated that his group was planning to retain its younger core on the deadline, and manufactured from level of together with Gore in that cornerstone group, saying it’s “not a spotlight of mine to maneuver him.” There’s seemingly no rush for DeBartolo or the group to think about buying and selling a pitcher who’s arbitration-controlled by way of the 2027 season, and Mooney notes that an interim normal supervisor like DeBartolo won’t get the inexperienced mild from possession to tug the set off on “a monumental determination” like transferring a pitcher who has emerged because the ace of Washington’s rotation.
Even when the door might not be utterly closed on the opportunity of Gore being traded, the Nats’ asking value is unsurprisingly “considered as sky-high,” Mooney writes. For 2-plus years of a frontline starter, it’s straightforward to image Washington demanding a number of high-level prospects and not less than one younger participant who’s near MLB-ready. As hefty as this ask is perhaps, the Cubs are maybe one of many few groups that has sufficient blue-chip minor league depth to make the Nationals not less than think about dealing the 26-year-old All-Star.
Owen Caissie, as an illustration, is the kind of elite prospect that will certainly be a precedence for the Nats in any Gore commerce bundle. The outfielder is crushing Triple-A pitching for the second consecutive season and appears to have little left to show within the minors, besides Chicago’s outfield (and general lineup) is deep sufficient that there’s no present place for Caissie to interrupt into the Present. That would change shortly if Kyle Tucker departs in free company this winter, higlighting Caissie’s significance as a long-term asset in Wrigleyville.
Mooney writes that the Cubs are very possible not going to supply Caissie in a commerce for a rental participant, and would solely be impressed to maneuver him in any respect if a controllable expertise (like Gore) is on the desk. In a very attention-grabbing element, Mooney experiences that Caissie would have been a part of a proposed commerce between the Cubs and Marlins for Jesus Luzardo this previous offseason that was finally scuttled when Chicago had considerations over Luzardo’s medicals. This supplies some context for what it might take for the Cubs to maneuver Caissie, but his large Triple-A numbers in 2025 have most likely made the group much more loath to half with the outfielder.
