The Chicago Cubs are expected to be aggressively seeking starting pitching upgrades before the trade deadline on July 31.
At 46-33, the Cubs are holding onto a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.
The Cubs are 10-11 in June and look vulnerable for the first time all season, and a massive reason is the starting rotation.
Chicago lost Justin Steele for the season and haven’t found a replacement for him yet. Shota Imanaga has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain since May 4 but will pitch in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
Matthew Boyd has been outstanding in his first season with Chicago, and Jameson Taillon has been solid outside of his last two starts.
Rookie Cade Horton has looked better each time out, but Colin Rea and Ben Brown have been inconsistent.
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Brown was sent down to Triple-A Iowa after allowing eight runs in five innings against the Cardinals on Monday.
If the Cubs want to play October baseball, shoring up the rotation is imperative.
Sam Bernardi of Athlon Sports devised a trade proposal that sees the Cubs acquiring an All-Star veteran pitcher from the Kansas City Royals.
The Cubs receive right-hander Seth Lugo in exchange for outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara (Cubs No. 4) and reliever Jack Neely (Cubs No. 15).
“Alcántara and Neely are too much to give up for a rental. But, a year-and-a-half of Lugo could be worth diminishing some of the farm system,” wrote Bernardi.
Lugo, 35, is dealing in his 10th season in Major League Baseball. The 2024 All-Star and Gold Glove award winner is 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 14 starts this season.
Last season, Lugo led the Royals to the postseason by going 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA. He was the runner-up for the American League Cy Young award.
Lugo was named the sixth-best trade deadline candidate by ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel and a great fit for the Cubs.
With ace Cole Ragans sidelined, at 38-41, the Royals may decide to part ways with Lugo. He has a player-option for 2026.
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