The Cubs were not just window shopping. Needing to solidify their rotation amid a competitive NL Central race, the team zeroed in on a star who had become the talk of the league. The 26-year-old Oakland star had long been identified as untouchable. However, with the A’s once again listening to offers, the door cracked open—and the Cubs kicked it down.

As MLB insider Jim Bowden said, “There are some teams that think there’s a possibility that the Athletics, this time around, will listen on Mason Miller.” This possibility quickly became reality. The Cubs, identifying the short-period boost and long-period value, did not hesitate. What makes Mason Miller such a unique target is his untapped upside. “There are teams that want to make him a starter,” Bowden highlighted that his ceiling has not even been scratched yet.

The A’s, looking for a bulk return of pitching stars, had their demands met. It was not cheap—however, for the Cubs, it was an analyzed gamble. Adding Mason Miller not only provides the team a powerful ace—it sends a message to the rest of the league: The Cubs are going for it.

While the Cubs’ target stayed locked on Miller, the team’s aggressiveness added urgency across the board. A’s management executives, meanwhile, saw an opening to deal from a position of leverage, as teams with legitimate postseason hopes—like the Phillies—desperately scan the market for late-inning firepower.

The ripple effect from the star’s move also stirred attention toward other top-tier arms, including Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase. Bowden mentioned that “The Phillies, Mets, and Tigers have the assets” to chase Clase if the Guardians finally decide to move him.

That said, the Guardians’ situation is distinctive. Clase is under control through 2028 and still delivering elite-level performance, sporting a 2.91 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 43 innings. Unlike the A’s, the Guardians are looking to retool, not rebuild. This is why a proposed trade involving SS Aidan Miller and RHP Eiberson Castellano made sense on paper.

However, what sets the Cubs’ deal apart is their willingness to go all-in on a high-velocity star that can be molded into a top-of-the-rotation starter—something Clase, as elite as the star is, does not provide. 

Now, while the Cubs’ high-stakes swing for Mason Miller could have grabbed attention, he is far from the only star being floated around in the Cubs’ management’s war room. 

Cubs target multiple stars beyond Miller to solve rotation puzzle at deadline

It is no secret that the Cubs’ rotation has been hanging by a thread, specifically, after losing Justin Steele for the year and watching Shota Imanaga spend extended time on the injured list. While Mason Miller was the flashiest star available, the team has cast a wider net, analyzing multiple more proven starters who could provide quick effect without demanding an all-time trade package.

Former MLB executive Jim Bowden currently lists Mitch Keller, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Sandy Alcantara, and Edward Cabrera as elite Cubs fits, and the logic is sound.

Keller is perhaps the most intricate target, given the star pitches for division rival the Pirates. His consistency and team-friendly deal through 2028 make the star worth the premium.

Gallen is slumping in 2025. But with three Cy Young top-10 finishes, a bounce-back in Wrigley could be all he needs. His teammate, Merrill Kelly, is also on the Cubs’ radar as a vital No. 2 and 3 rental option with postseason experience. Notably, Arizona’s injury-riddled season has nudged the team into powerful seller territory, and Kelly’s situation links perfectly with the Cubs’ timeline.

Switching to Miami, the Marlins hold two specifically interesting chips: Alcantara and Cabrera. Alcantara is the crown jewel—a former NL Cy Young winner with swing-and-miss stuff and bulldog mentality. But the star will cost a fortune. However, Cabrera could be the real bargain. Under team control through 2028, Cabrera’s electric arsenal and durability this season make the star an analytics darling and a realistic long-term piece. As Kenneth Teape highlighted, he is arguably outperforming Alcantara this season and would instantly slot into the Cubs’ rotation depth chart with authority.

The Cubs’ options do not stop there. With powerful MVP candidates in the outfield and a shockingly effective bullpen, enhancing the rotation could catapult this team from surprise contender to serious postseason threat. If none of the starters pan out, the team could pivot toward bolstering their offense at third base, where Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez looms as a powerful upgrade.

Either way, with July 31 looming, Jed Hoyer and the management have clearly signaled that standing pat is not on the table.

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