Reading between the lines, Jed Hoyer has all but confirmed that within the coming weeks, the Chicago Cubs may be adding a player who wasn’t necessarily great during the first half of the season. Hoyer hasn’t been shy about the fact that the Cubs are looking at change-of-scenery types ahead of the deadline, and while speaking to reporters on Friday, circled back on that theme.
“Sometimes a guy that didn’t have a great (first half) of the year, doesn’t mean he’s not a good player,” Hoyer said. “You try to look under the hood and see if there are reasons for optimism. Is this a guy we can tweak something with? Has he been unlucky? All those different things.”
There are two obvious Cubs’ trade targets who come to mind after seeing those comments from Hoyer. Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins and Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Each has struggled considerably during the 2025 season, but they have track records that suggest they could slot toward the top of the Cubs’ rotation when they are right.
Jed Hoyer sounds more confident about one deadline move
Between the two, Gallen feels more like the player Hoyer is describing. While Alcantara has a Cy Young Award attached to his track record, he hasn’t been a clear top-of-the-rotation pitcher for the duration of his career in the way that Gallen has been prior to this season. Considering Gallen is a free agent after the season while Alcantara is under control until possibly 2028, the Diamondbacks’ starter likely would have the lower cost.
Creativity will define the deadline for the Cubs. The limited number of sellers means there isn’t a legitimate ace available who would be a clear answer to the need the Cubs have in their rotation.
With a pitching infrastructure that has turned reclamation projects into success stories and an infield defense among the best in baseball, there’s reason to believe the Cubs can get the most out of a change-of-scenery pitcher.
Call it an educated gamble for a Cubs team that is looking to legitimize their World Series chances with the right move at the deadline.
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