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Cubs Pull Off Surprise Trade for Braxton Garrett
Cubs Add Left-Hander Braxton Garrett in Trade with Marlins
What Happened? The Trade Breakdown
The Chicago Cubs have made a move to bolster their pitching staff. Here’s the simple version of the deal:
- Cubs receive: Left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett
- Marlins receive: Minor league infielder Jonathon Long and minor league right-handed pitcher Jace Beck
Source: The trade was first reported by Will Sammon (The Athletic) and Francys Romero (BeisbolFR.com) on August 3, 2026.
Who Is Braxton Garrett? (ELI5 Version)
Think of Braxton Garrett as a late-blooming talent who was once a highly-touted prospect.
The Basics
- Age: Turns 29 on August 5, 2026
- Throws: Left-handed (a valuable commodity in baseball!)
- Draft History: 7th overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Marlins
- Status: Was considered a "building block" for Miami after a breakout — until injury hit
His Breakout Years (2022–2023)
During this two-year stretch, Garrett looked like a reliable starting pitcher:
| Stat | What It Means (Simple Terms) | His Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | How long he stayed in games | 247⅔ (a lot!) |
| ERA | Runs allowed per 9 innings (lower = better) | 3.63 (solid) |
| Strikeout Rate | How often he strikes batters out | 23.8% (good) |
| Walk Rate | How often he gives free passes | 5.1% (excellent control) |
| Ground Ball Rate | How often hitters hit the ball on the ground | 48.7% (helps avoid home runs) |
Translation: He was pitching well, throwing strikes, and keeping the ball in the park.
The Injury Setback
What Happened?
- 2024: Suffered a UCL tear (that’s the ligament in the elbow that often requires "Tommy John surgery")
- Result: Missed most of 2024 and all of 2025
- Good News: He’s healthy now and back on the mound
Recent Performance: A Mixed Bag
The Bad: Two Rough MLB Appearances (2026)
- Only 2 big league outings this season (none since May)
- 4⅓ innings → 7 runs allowed, 8 walks
- Very small sample size — but concerning
The Good: Strong Triple-A Season (Mostly)
- 77⅔ innings at Triple-A (one step below MLB)
- 2.90 ERA (very good!)
- 26.4% strikeout rate | 9.2% walk rate
- But… his last 2 starts were rough: 13 runs allowed combined
Why the struggle lately? Reports suggest Garrett resisted some mechanical changes the Marlins wanted him to make in spring training. That friction may have kept him in the minors longer than expected.
Why the Cubs Wanted Him
1. They Need Pitching Depth — Badly
The Cubs’ rotation has been hit hard by injuries and departures:
| Pitcher | Status |
|---|---|
| Jameson Taillon | Released (cut loose) |
| Cade Horton (top prospect) | Out for the year |
| Justin Steele | Only bullpen role late season — if he returns from UCL rehab setbacks |
| Ben Brown | On Injured List |
| Edward Cabrera | On Injured List (former Marlins teammate of Garrett!) |
2. Current Rotation (as of now)
- Kevin Gausman
- Matthew Boyd
- Shota Imanaga
- Javier Assad
- David Peterson
- Colin Rea
Flexibility: Assad, Peterson, and Rea have all pitched in relief before. One could move to the bullpen to make room for Garrett.
3. Garrett Fits the Profile
- Left-handed
- Starting experience
- Team control for 2 more arbitration years
- $1.525 million salary in 2026 = very reasonable
Contract & Roster Rules (Simplified)
Important Callout: The "Option Year" Clock Is Ticking
- This is Garrett’s final minor league option year
- What that means: The Cubs can send him to Triple-A Iowa this year without risk
- But in 2027: He must be on the 26-man MLB roster — or he can be designated for assignment (DFA) = cut loose
- Bottom line: The Cubs have ~2 months to decide if he’s a keeper
What Happens Next?
Possible Paths for Garrett
- Head to Triple-A Iowa → Keep building consistency, work on mechanics
- Join the MLB rotation immediately → If Cubs want to see him against big league hitters now
- Work on tweaks with Cubs coaches → Maybe they agree with Marlins’ spring training suggestions… or maybe not
Key Question: Will the Cubs ask Garrett to make the same mechanical changes the Marlins wanted? Unclear for now.
Summary
- Cubs trade for Braxton Garrett, a 29-year-old lefty starter
- Cost: Two minor leaguers (Jonathon Long, Jace Beck) — low risk
- Garrett’s story: Breakout in ’22–’23 → UCL tear → missed ’24–’25 → healthy but struggling in MLB cameos this year
- Triple-A numbers look good (2.90 ERA), but last 2 starts were rough
- Cubs are desperate for rotation help — multiple starters out
- Garrett is cheap & controllable — but must earn 2027 roster spot
- Could start in Triple-A or jump straight to Chicago
FAQ
1. Who are the players the Cubs gave up?
Jonathon Long (infielder) and Jace Beck (right-handed pitcher) — both are minor leaguers, not on the 40-man roster. Low-cost prospects.
2. What is a UCL tear?
The ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. It’s the main ligament stressed during pitching. A tear often requires Tommy John surgery (reconstruction) and 12–18 months recovery.
3. What does "arbitration eligible" mean?
After 3+ years of MLB service, players can go to salary arbitration if they can’t agree on a contract with the team. An arbitrator picks a salary based on comparable players. Garrett has 2 years left of this.
4. What’s a "minor league option"?
Teams can send a player to the minors 3 times (usually 3 seasons) without exposing them to other teams. Garrett has used 2 — this is his last. After this, he can’t be sent down without clearing waivers.
5. Why do left-handed pitchers matter so much?
Lefties are rarer and have a natural advantage against left-handed hitters (who see the ball better from righties). Teams always want left-handed starting pitching depth.
