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Cubs Target Ray, Holmes, Hancock, Mize in Major Pitching Overhaul
The Chicago Cubs’ Shopping List: What They Need at the 2026 Trade Deadline
The Big Picture: Cubs Want Three New Pitchers
Imagine your baseball team is like a puzzle with a few missing pieces. The Chicago Cubs have a clear picture of what they need: three new pitchers before the trade deadline. According to reporters Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, the Cubs would ideally like to add:
- One starter (a pitcher who begins the game) + two relievers (pitchers who come in later)
- OR two starters + one reliever
IMPORTANT POINT: The exact mix depends on who’s actually available to trade. The Cubs are keeping their options open!
Why Pitching? The Cubs’ Biggest Need
It’s no secret that pitching is Chicago’s top priority. The Cubs have been linked to seven different pitchers in just the last few days! Think of it like browsing a menu — they’re looking at all kinds of options:
The "Dream Big" Targets (Ace Starters)
| Pitcher | Current Team | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal | Detroit Tigers | Team control through 2026 |
| Freddy Peralta | Milwaukee Brewers | Team control through 2026 |
| Reid Detmers | Los Angeles Angels | Team control through 2026 |
The "Rental" Starters (Free Agents Soon)
| Pitcher | Current Team | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|
| Robbie Ray | San Francisco Giants | Free agent after 2026 |
| Casey Mize | Detroit Tigers | Free agent after 2026 |
| Clay Holmes | New York Mets | Expected to opt out after 2026 |
The "Long-Term Investment" Target
| Pitcher | Current Team | Contract Status |
|---|---|---|
| Emerson Hancock | Seattle Mariners | Team control through 2030! |
Meet the Pitchers: Who’s Who?
Emerson Hancock — The Prize That Costs the Most
Why he’s special: Hancock is only 27 and has team control through 2030. That’s four more years after this one! He’s having a breakout season:
- 3.26 ERA (earned run average — lower is better)
- 23.3% strikeout rate (gets lots of batters out)
- 6.2% walk rate (doesn’t give many free passes)
- 110⅓ innings across 20 starts
The catch: The Mariners want big-league ready hitters in return. They’re in "win-now mode" even though they’ve lost 8 of their last 10 games. Cubs prospect Matt Shaw (currently injured) would fit what Seattle wants perfectly.
Robbie Ray — The Expensive Rental
- Former Cy Young Award winner (best pitcher in the league!)
- Owed ~$8 million for the rest of 2026
- Giants willing to pay part of his salary to get better prospects back
- Can slot right into a playoff rotation
Clay Holmes — The Injury Question Mark
- On the 60-day injured list with a fractured fibula (broken leg bone)
- Just pitched two rehab games in the minors
- Unlikely to return before the deadline, but teams are watching closely
- Right-handed reliever with closing experience
Casey Mize — The Former #1 Pick
- First overall pick in the 2020 draft
- Scratched from his Friday start — huge hint he’s getting traded!
- Free agent after this season
- Tigers (52-58) expected to sell by Monday
The Money Side: Cubs’ Payroll Situation
IMPORTANT POINT: The Cubs are already over the first luxury tax threshold ($244 million) at ~$252.3 million, but still under the second threshold ($264 million) that acts like their unofficial spending cap.
Since they want multiple pitchers, they’d prefer not to blow their whole budget on one guy — unless it’s a true ace like Skubal or Ray.
Don’t Forget the Bullpen!
Reporter Sahadev Sharma notes the Cubs also want relievers, especially:
- Right-handed pitchers
- High strikeout ability (this matters more than being right-handed!)
Top Target: Adrián Morejón (San Diego Padres)
- Lefty with great strikeout stuff
- Free agent after this season
- Padres will ask for a lot in return
- Cubs might prefer spending top prospects on a starter instead
Good News: Several Cubs relievers are coming back from the injured list soon, which means they might not need as many new bullpen arms.
How the Trade Dominoes Are Falling
Here’s the expected timeline:
- Giants (out of contention) → Will sell Robbie Ray
- Mets (out of contention) → Will sell Clay Holmes
- Tigers (52-58, fringe contenders) → Expected to sell Casey Mize (and maybe Skubal!)
- Mariners (53-58, recent slump) → Might sell Hancock, but could also buy
- Padres → Could sell Morejón if they decide to rebuild/retool
Summary: What to Watch For
- Cubs need 3 pitchers — mix of starters and relievers
- Hancock = biggest long-term get, highest cost
- Ray/Mize/Holmes = short-term rentals, likely moved by Monday
- Payroll tight but manageable for the right deal
- Bullpen help wanted, but internal reinforcements coming
- Deadline is Monday — expect fireworks!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What’s a "rental player" in baseball?
A rental player is someone who becomes a free agent soon (usually after the current season). Teams trade for them to help right now for a playoff push, knowing they might leave in a few months. It’s like borrowing a superstar for the final stretch!
Why does Emerson Hancock cost so much more than the others?
Two words: Team Control. Hancock isn’t eligible for arbitration (salary negotiation) until after 2027 and can’t leave as a free agent until after 2030. That’s 4+ years of certainty. The others might leave after this season. You pay a premium for certainty!
What’s the "luxury tax threshold" and why does it matter?
Think of it like a salary cap with penalties. MLB doesn’t have a hard cap, but teams spending over $244M pay a tax. The Cubs are at ~$252M — over the first line but under the second ($264M) that they treat as their real limit. Going way over means huge tax bills and draft pick penalties.
Why would the Mariners trade Hancock if they’re trying to win?
Great question! They’re 53-58 and just lost 8 of 10. They might pivot to selling if they fall further back. Or they could keep Hancock and try to win next year with him. Their recent slump makes them unpredictable — which is why the Cubs are calling just in case.
If Clay Holmes is injured, why are teams still interested?
Because he’s close to returning (two rehab games down)! Teams think: "If we get him now, he’ll be ready for our playoff push." It’s a calculated gamble — like buying a concert ticket for a show next month when the lead singer has a cold but is recovering.
Stay tuned — the trade deadline is Monday, and the Cubs’ phone lines are burning up!
