Chicago Cubs trade proposal showcases the tough decisions facing the team

The Chicago Cubs, in an ideal baseball world, will be dealing with two goals in mind as they work towards the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

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They need to fortify a pitching staff absolutely decimated by injury. They need at least one—and probably two—starters to head somewhat comfortably into the postseason. There should be a front-of-rotation-type and then maybe a back-of-rotation innings eater. Then, they need to add a quality reliever or two, with some closer-level ability.

They’ll also need to keep an eye on next season and beyond when it comes to their deadline acquisitions. With Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon all free agency-eligible at the end of the season—and no guarantees on Cade Horton and Justin Steele even pitching in 2027—the rotation will need filling.

Reid Detmers, yes. But how much?

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Reid Detmers of the Angels is a name Cubs fans have seen tossed about as a logical trade target for the team. The 27-year-old lefty is currently sporting a 3-7 record with a 4.05 ERA for the last place Angels, but his FIP—which is, arguably, the true measure of how he’s actually pitching—is 3.27.

He could immediately step into the middle of the Cubs rotation to provide some stability. And, just as important, maintain that role next season and the year after. Detmers is under team control through the 2028 season on what will be a very affordable contract.

But expect the Cubs to pay a hefty price for two years and three months of the young arm.

Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib recently offered up a proposed trade between the Cubs and the Angels that spotlights just how painful such a swap may be.

In his deal, he has the Cubs sending over top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins, fast-rising catching prospect Owen Ayers, and infield prospect James Triantos for Detmers.

Now, this could be considered a big overpay from the Cubs, but the point is that such a trade for a young, controllable starting pitcher will absolutely have to include some key prospects the Cubs are not entirely happy about swapping out.

Per Campbell:

“Given what the asks were at the deadline last year, it’s safe to say a trade for Detmers is going to a sting a team’s prospect capital. But, there should be reason for the Cubs to act with urgency here. Detmers would immediately help them this season, but gives the rotation clarity for next season. An important factor, considering Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon are all free agents, and Cade Horton pitching next season is far from a certainty.”

The purging of Triple-A

Realistically, though, the purging of Triple-A prospects would have to continue if the team were to go ahead with the rest of its deadline shopping list. Even Matt Shaw could still be part of a deal for pitching—with eyes set on guys like Logan Webb and Michael Wacha, who both offer quality starts and controllable years. Some of the peripheral prospects whose paths are blocked to the majors could also be moved for a rental reliever or two.

All of this begs the question, though, of how much is too much. How much of their prospect capital do the Cubs feel comfortable trading away before fears over how it would affect the big league prospect?

With a decent group of prospects currently moving through the lower levels of the system and a major league roster that is mostly set for the next several years, they could opt to sacrifice their Triple-A talents at the altar of winning now.

This last week or so before the trade deadline should be an interesting one.

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