The Cubs are in a precarious position as they approach the August 3rd trade deadline. With a 5-5 record since May 27th and a 6.5-game deficit in the NL Central, the team's recent struggles have been well-documented. The pitching staff has been particularly ineffective, with a 7.11 ERA that ranks last in the Majors, while the hitters have only managed a 93 wRC+ in the same period. This has led to a 2-12 record for starters and a .223 batting average for the team.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has downplayed the importance of the trade deadline, stating that the team's focus is on the present. However, the reality is that the Cubs are likely to be buyers at the deadline, with a 47% chance of making the playoffs according to FanGraphs. The team's current struggles are evident, with a 4.81 ERA for starters, tied for the second-worst in the Majors, and a 37% rate of allowing hard contact, the third-worst in the league.
The injuries to key players have not helped the Cubs' cause. Matthew Boyd, who was worth 3.4 fWAR in 2025, has been out with a left meniscus injury, and Justin Steele, who underwent UCL revision surgery, is not expected to return until the second half of the season. Cade Horton, a promising young pitcher, is out until mid-2027 after Tommy John surgery. These injuries, combined with the poor performance of existing starters, suggest that the Cubs should be aggressive in adding starters at the deadline.
In contrast, the Cubs' offense has been relatively strong, with a 107 wRC+ that ranks tied for sixth-best in the Majors. Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, and Seiya Suzuki are all performing well above average, and Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner are showing signs of improvement. However, Dansby Swanson, the team's only qualified hitter struggling overall, is batting just .180 with a 75 wRC+, well below his 99 mark from last year.
The Cubs have also signed right-handed pitcher Andrew Wantz to a minor league contract, providing depth in case of injury or short-term need. While the team's current focus is on the present, the reality is that the Cubs need to make aggressive moves at the trade deadline to improve their chances of making the playoffs. With a favorable schedule and a strong offense, the team has the potential to turn things around, but it will take a significant effort to overcome their current struggles.
