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Cubs Chase 4 Ace Targets: Kirby, Soriano, Weaver, Hoffman
The Chicago Cubs Are on a Major Pitching Shopping Spree Before the Trade Deadline
TL;DR: The Cubs need pitching badly. They want to add three pitchers before the Monday deadline. They’ve been linked to basically every available arm—some are "rentals" (free agents after this year), others are "controllable" (team keeps them for years). The newest names? José Soriano, Luke Weaver, and Jeff Hoffman. Oh, and they’re also checking in on George Kirby from Seattle.
Why Are the Cubs So Desperate for Pitching?
Imagine your fantasy football team has three injured quarterbacks. That’s the Cubs’ rotation right now.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers put it perfectly: "If there’s an [available] pitcher out there, they are very likely talking to that team."
The shopping list:
- Target: Add three pitchers total
- Mix: Either two starters + one reliever OR one starter + two relievers
- Urgency: HIGH — "Few contenders need pitching more desperately"
The "Who’s Who" of Cubs Trade Targets
The Big Names (Rentals — Gone After 2026)
These pitchers become free agents this winter. You rent them for two months.
| Pitcher | Current Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Tarik Skubal | Tigers → Dodgers | OFF THE BOARD |
| Freddy Peralta | Brewers | Available |
| Casey Mize | Tigers | Available |
| Robbie Ray | Giants | Available |
| Clay Holmes | Yankees | Available (player option for 2027) |
| Adrian Morejon | Padres | Available |
IMPORTANT: Skubal was the crown jewel — a two-time Cy Young winner. But the Dodgers outbid everyone. The Cubs "weren’t willing to outbid the Dodgers" and dropped out early.
The "Keepers" (Controllable Arms — Team Control for Years)
These guys are under contract for multiple seasons. More expensive in trade cost, but you keep them.
| Pitcher | Team | Control Through | Why They’re Interesting |
|---|---|---|---|
| José Soriano | Angels | 2028 (arbitration) | Top-5 trade candidate • 3.29 ERA • Elite groundball rate (59.9%) • Only $2.9M salary |
| Luke Weaver | Mets | 2027 | 1.88 ERA this year • Setup/closer experience • ~$3M rest of ’26, $11M ’27 |
| Jeff Hoffman | Blue Jays | 2027 | Great underlying stuff • Struggled with ERA but elite metrics • ~$4M rest of ’26, $11M ’27 |
| Reid Detmers | Angels | — | Left-handed starter option |
| Emerson Hancock | Mariners | — | Young, controllable starter |
| George Kirby | Mariners | — | NEW TARGET • Ace-caliber • M’s "open to hearing offers" even after trading Luis Castillo |
Deep Dive: The Three Newest Targets
1. José Soriano (Angels) — The Prize of the Bunch
Why he’s special:
- Cheap contract: $2.9M this year, team control through 2028
- Groundball machine: Leads all pitchers (min. 200 IP) with 59.9% groundball rate since 2024
- Improving: Adjusted pitch mix — fewer sinkers, more four-seamers & splitters = more strikeouts, less hard contact
- Scratched from start Sunday — Angels GM John Mozeliak: "With the trade deadline on Monday and the uncertainty of the next 48 hours, we decided to take a prudent approach…"
Translation: The Angels are 100% showcasing him for a trade.
2. Luke Weaver (Mets) — The Dominant Reliever
- 1.88 ERA in 2026 (sparkling!)
- Setup man with closing experience
- Mets are listening to offers
- Would instantly become Cubs’ best bullpen arm
3. Jeff Hoffman (Blue Jays) — The "Buy Low" Candidate
- Struggled with ERA in Toronto (some blowup outings)
- BUT underlying numbers (stuff, spin, movement) are elite
- Same contract structure as Weaver (~$4M/’26, $11M/’27)
- Blue Jays open to moving him
- Could be a steal if Cubs’ coaching staff fixes the command issues
The George Kirby Surprise (7:35 PM Update)
Late-breaking news: The Mariners are open to trading George Kirby — their young ace — even after trading Luis Castillo to the White Sox.
- Kirby is a true ace (not a rental, not a "maybe")
- Would cost a massive prospect package
- But he changes the Cubs’ window from "win now" to "win for years"
- Mooney & Sharma (The Athletic) confirm Cubs are "considering" him
How the Cubs’ Strategy Is Shifting
Step-by-Step: What Happened & What’s Next
- Swinged for the fences on Tarik Skubal Lost to Dodgers
- Pivoted quickly — "No other rental will cost anywhere near as much as Skubal"
- Willing to pay MORE in prospects for controllable arms (Soriano, Kirby, Weaver, Hoffman)
- Aggressive on multiple fronts — talking to everyone with a pulse and a fastball
- Deadline is Monday — expect moves fast
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Cubs’ Need | Desperate for 3 pitchers (starters + relievers) |
| Biggest Miss | Tarik Skubal → Dodgers (Cubs didn’t match price) |
| Top Target Now | José Soriano — cheap, controlled, elite groundballs, scratched for trade |
| Bullpen Targets | Luke Weaver (dominant) & Jeff Hoffman (talented, struggling) |
| Dream Target | George Kirby — Mariners ace, suddenly available |
| Deadline | Monday — moves coming fast |
| Strategy Shift | From "rentals" to "controllable arms worth prospect capital" |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: What’s the difference between a "rental" and a "controllable" pitcher?
A: A rental is a player becoming a free agent after this season — you get them for ~2 months. A controllable pitcher has years of team control left (via contract or arbitration), so they stay with you long-term. Rentals cost fewer prospects; controllables cost more prospects but give you years of value.
Q: Why did the Cubs drop out on Tarik Skubal?
A: Skubal is a two-time Cy Young winner — the best pitcher available. The Dodgers offered a massive prospect package. The Cubs decided the price was too high and bowed out early rather than get into a bidding war they’d lose.
Q: Is José Soriano actually good, or just stats?
A: He’s legitimately excellent. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2024: 3.73 ERA, 59.9% groundball rate (best in MLB), 4.03 SIERA. This year he’s improving — more strikeouts, less hard contact. He’s a true #2/3 starter who could be a #1 with the right coaching.
Q: Why would the Mariners trade George Kirby after trading Luis Castillo?
A: Great question! Usually, trading one ace means you keep the other. But Seattle might be retooling, not rebuilding — stockpiling prospects for a quick reload. Or they think Kirby’s value will never be higher. Either way, "open to hearing offers" ≠ "actively shopping," but it’s shocking either way.
Q: Can the Cubs actually get three pitchers by Monday?
A: It’s ambitious but possible. They have:
- A deep farm system (prospects to trade)
- Money to absorb salaries
- Urgency (playoff push)
- Multiple dance partners (Angels, Mets, Blue Jays, Mariners, Tigers, Brewers, Giants, Yankees, Padres)
Expect at least two moves, with a third if they get creative.
Final Thought
The Cubs’ front office is working the phones overtime. Whether they land Soriano, Kirby, Weaver, Hoffman — or someone we haven’t heard about yet — one thing is certain: the pitching help is coming. The only questions are who, how much it costs, and is it enough to win October games?
Stay tuned. Monday’s deadline is going to be wild.
