Chicago Cubs named a “winner” of the 2026 MLB trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs entered the weekend of the MLB trade deadline with crystal clear needs. They needed to arm or two to fortify their bullpen, and they need as many starting pitchers as they could possibly acquire. Both the starting rotation and bullpen staffs have been ravaged by injuries this year, but Chicago has been able to weather to the storm (for the most part).

In the finals days and hours leading up to the deadline, the Cubs were able to add three starting pitchers and a reliever. In doing so, they accomplished everything they set out to do.

ESPN names the Chicago Cubs one of the winners of the MLB trade deadline

ESPN named the Los Angeles Dodgers as the biggest winner of the deadline for an obvious reason. That is, because they were able to acquire two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

However, they also believe Chicago should be counted among the winners, writing:

“The Cubs needed pitching help of all denominations at the deadline, and they went out and got just that by adding Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman, Braxton Garrett and Ryan Zeferjahn. They did give up one of their top prospects in shortstop Jefferson Rojas as well as fan favorite Moises Ballesteros, but Garrett and Zeferjhan come with future years of team control (and Holmes has a player option for 2027).

“It’s a bold series of moves given the Cubs are still 6½ games behind the Brewers, but a revamped rotation with Holmes, Gausman, Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga looks like one that, paired with a lineup that has scored as many runs as the Dodgers, could go on an extended playoff run.

Chicago did have to give up Rojas and Ballesteros, two of their more exciting developing players. However, they got controllable pitching as well as some high-quality rentals.

Since the Brewers were not able to add a bat or land what can be considered any splash players, Chicago could erase that deficit in the NL Central real soon.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• 4 big questions for the Cubs following their massive trade deadline haul
• Jed Hoyer finally acts like a big market GM for the Cubs
• Why Cubs fans gave Kyle Tucker a brutal reception at Wrigley Field

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