The Chicago Cubs hold a slight lead in the National League Central division even after losing their series against the New York Mets on Sunday.
The team surged to a winning record behind one of the best offenses in baseball, led by superstar Kyle Tucker, ascendant youngster Pete Crow-Armstrong and surprise contributor Carson Kelly.
But the pitching staff has been a bit of a different story.
The Cubs' rotation has lost its two leading arms, with Justin Steel out for the year following a UCL surgery and Shota Imanaga joining him on the injured list with a hamstring issue.
After losing Imanaga in addition to Steel, the Cubs could be after a significant rotation boost. The team called up top prospect Cade Horton for a debut against the New York Mets, which saw the rookie yield three earned runs in four innings. But it might turn to a more seasoned veteran via trade, as TJ French proposed for Athlon Sports.
"The Cubs' starting rotation is now filled with either young starters who don't have much big league experience, or veterans who aren't true aces," French wrote. "The Cubs may be able to hold their crown in the NL Central, but if they want to be a true competitor, they will need to add to their staff somehow."
French proposed a three-player swap that would bring in Tyler Anderson from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Cubs reliever Julian Merryweather and prospect Kevin Alcántara.
And Anderson certainly could add a veteran boost to the rotation, instantly serving as a frontline option alongside Matthew Boyd. He's pitched for a 2.58 ERA with 39 strikeouts in eight starts so far for the Angels, following up a 31-start All-Star campaign in 2024.
The Angels are likely listening to offers for Anderson, as he could be departing in free agency after this season. And the opportunity to rebuild around Alcántara, who is the No. 5 prospect in the Cubs' system, should intrigue them.
The big question for the Cubs would be whether they are comfortable giving up on Alcántara's potential for what could be a one-year rental in Anderson. But with a full outfield and an urgency to return to the postseason after a prolonged drought, it could be the kind of win-now move that makes sense in Chicago.
