Chicago Cubs trade deadline haul could’ve looked significantly different, per reports

The Chicago Cubs made some waves at this year’s MLB trade deadline and, most important, they made the moves necessary to fortify their pitching staff for a deep postseason run.

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They kicked things off with the acquisition of veteran starter Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays the weekend before the August 3 deadline. Then, on the cutoff day, they traded for starter Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets, reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels, and southpaw pitcher Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins.

It was acknowledged by analysts as a very good haul, but things may have been significantly different after the deadline if things had played out as they were initially intended.

Soriano, a Cub; Holmes, a Diamondback?

Jose Soriano, Chicago Cubs, Angels — Jul 7, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano (59) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

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Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently reported that groundball specialist Holmes was initially supposed to be traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks:

“The Chicago Cubs can thank the New York Mets’ medical department for acquiring Clay Holmes. Holmes was on his way to the Arizona Diamondbacks until the Mets flagged the medical reports of one of their prospects, and pivoted to the Cubs.”

Maybe the Cubs would’ve still pursued a trade for Tyrone Taylor, but that’s no guarantee. Chicago would’ve also held on to no. 2 prospect Jefferson Rojas—who they dealt for Holmes and Taylor—or they would’ve shopped him elsewhere.

Could that “elsewhere” have been Toronto in a deal for the just-acquired Jose Soriano?

Mitch Bannon and Dan Hayes of The Athletic are reporting that the Cubs were among the teams that tried to make a play for Soriano after he had been traded from the Angels to the Blue Jays:

“After the Jays finalized their deal for Soriano, sending a three-prospect package to the Angels built around shortstop Arjun Nimmala, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs were among the teams that then also reached out to Toronto to see if the Jays would be interested in moving Soriano again, league sources granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak about deadline dealings publicly said. The Jays listened.”

What might’ve been

Jed Hoyer, Chicago Cubs, MLB trade deadline — Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Soriano had been a name connected to the Cubs for awhile. He was an appealing pitcher, not only for his groundball-inducing repertoire, but also for the fact that he’s under team control through the 2028 season.

The Cubs were also reportedly one of the teams who checked in on the Angels’ other team-controlled pitching asset Reid Detmers, who ultimately was not traded at the deadline at all—although an erroneous media report initially said that the Cubs had acquired him.

So, if fate hadn’t intervened, the Cubs’ deadline haul could’ve been Gausman, Soriano, Zeferjahn, and Garrett. It’s not certain, though, that they would’ve made the same moves had initial plans worked out.

Still, most fans and experts are secure in the feeling that the Cubs got precisely what they needed for this coming run to the playoffs.

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