Cubs Reportedly Plan to Be 'Aggressive' at 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, Seek Pitching

The Chicago Cubs have enjoyed a strong start to the season, but that reportedly won't stop them from trying to improve ahead of the trade deadline.

Per The Athletic's Jim Bowden, the Cubs "are planning to be aggressive at the trade deadline, looking for a strong starting pitcher and bullpen help."

The Cubs have coasted to a 41-27 record, sitting comfortably atop the NL Central. Most of their success can be attributed to the offense, which has the third-best batting average (.258), fifth-most home runs (94), third-most hits (611) and the most RBI (368).

Chicago's pitching hasn't been bad, but it has left much to be desired, at least compared to the offense. The Cubs rank 10th in the majors in team ERA at 3.70 and 23rd in strikeouts with 527.

“Our position-playing group has been outstanding both offensively and defensively,” Cubs president Jed Hoyer told reporters Wednesday, per The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. “That gives some clarity. Obviously, you don’t know what’s going to happen in the next month-and-a-half with that group. But right now, the focus would be on adding pitching and adding pitching depth. That would be the clear thing.”

Though the Cubs reportedly plan to address the bullpen before the deadline, that unit has thrived over the last month, posting an MLB-best 0.82 ERA over the last 24 games.

Injuries have heavily impacted Chicago's starting rotation. Shōta Imanaga, who has a 2.82 ERA in eight starts this year, was placed on the 15-day injured list in May because of a strained hamstring and has yet to make his return. Justin Steele appeared in just four games before an elbow injury forced him to undergo season-ending surgery.

While Imanaga will likely be back on the mound in the coming weeks, the Cubs still could benefit from adding an arm or two to the rotation, and it seems they're preparing to make a big move before July 31.