Cubs Get Pitcher Aaron Civale from the Athletics

What Happened?

On Saturday, after the Chicago Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 6-2, the team made a trade.

• The Cubs got a pitcher named Aaron Civale and some cash from the Athletics (a team from Oakland).
• In return, the Cubs gave the Athletics a young, minor league pitcher named Aiden Moffett.

Important Point: This is Civale’s second time joining the Cubs, because the team really needs more pitchers right now!

Who Is Aaron Civale?

Aaron Civale is a 31-year-old right-handed pitcher (he throws with his right hand). Here’s a simple timeline of his recent journey:

1. February: He signed a one-year deal with the Athletics.
2. August 31, 2025: The Cubs picked him up off "waivers" (that just means they claimed him after another team let him go).
3. 2025 season: He played for three teams — the Brewers, White Sox, and Cubs.
4. Wednesday (this week): The Athletics said they didn’t need him (this is called "designated for assignment").
5. Now: He is back with the Cubs!

How Has He Played?

• This season with the Athletics: 5 wins, 7 losses, and a 5.42 ERA* in 16 games (15 as a starter).
  • *ERA means "Earned Run Average" — it shows how many runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings. Lower is better.
• With the Cubs in 2025 (regular season): 1 win, 0 losses, 1 save*, and a tiny 2.08 ERA in 5 relief games.
  • *A "save" is when a pitcher finishes a game his team is winning by a close margin.
• In the 2025 playoffs: He threw 4⅓ innings against Milwaukee without allowing any runs.
• Over 8 big-league seasons with 6 teams: 48 wins, 51 losses, and a 4.26 ERA.

Why Do the Cubs Need Him?

The Cubs have a lot of injured pitchers, especially in their starting group (the "rotation").

• Cade Horton: Out for the whole season (had Tommy John surgery — an elbow operation).
• Jameson Taillon: Sidelined with a hamstring injury.
• Edward Cabrera: Sidelined with hamstring/abductor injury.
• Ben Brown: Sidelined with a neck injury.
• Justin Steele: Sidelined with an elbow injury.

Because so many are hurt, Civale is like a substitute teacher coming in to help!

What About Aiden Moffett?

The Cubs traded away 22-year-old Aiden Moffett. He is still learning in the minor leagues.

• This season: 1 win, 2 losses, 1 save, and a 9.67 ERA.
• He played in 17 relief games for the Arizona Complex League Cubs and Single-A Myrtle Beach.

Summary

The Cubs traded young pitcher Aiden Moffett to the Athletics to get 31-year-old Aaron Civale and cash. Civale already played for the Cubs in 2025 and did well. The Cubs made this move because many of their pitchers are injured and they need healthy arms to keep playing.

FAQ

Q: What does "designated for assignment" mean?
A: It’s a way for a team to say, "We don’t have space for this player right now," and they give other teams a chance to trade for him before he might be let go.

Q: Why is ERA important?
A: ERA tells you how good a pitcher is at not letting the other team score. A lower number means they gave up fewer runs.

Q: What is a relief pitcher?
A: A relief pitcher comes into the game after the starting pitcher is done or needs a break.

Q: Why did the Cubs want Civale back?
A: Because many Cubs pitchers are hurt, and Civale already did a great job for them in 2025.