It began with an injury and a quiet departure—one of those deals that barely caused a ripple. The Mets had other stars they wanted to keep, bigger stars the team would not put on the table. However, the Cubs took a chance. In general, it was an analyzed move. In hindsight, it is a masterclass in timing and vision.

Now, that forgotten star is lighting up the NL, while the Mets watch from the sidelines. And just when everyone thought they knew the full story, the Cubs president pulled the curtain and said how a moment of silence became a team-altering steal.

It is not every day a NL MVP candidate becomes a throw-in. However, that is exactly what Jed Hoyer suggested happened when Pete Crow-Armstrong was shipped from the Mets to the Cubs. The president, speaking on the New York Post’s podcast, said the Mets were quick to pull vital names off the table like Matt Allan, Francisco Álvarez, and Brett Baty. With top-tier stars unavailable, the Cubs identified a window, specifically, with Pete going through a shoulder injury recovery process. “He played like six games and got hurt and he was sort of out of sight, out of mind.”

As per Hoyer, that injury was the lucky break the Cubs needed. “I think his injury did not allow him to perform. And therefore, he became a guy they were willing to trade.” While most of the Mets’ stars are now contributing to the team, Crow-Armstrong is flipping the narrative in the Cubs. In a league where timing is everything, Hoyer’s team cashed in on a moment of doubt and walked away with a rising star.

With Armstrong now at the heart of the Cubs’ offensive surge, Hoyer’s “good fortune” could just be the largest trade heist of the decade.

Pete’s performance has even sparked MVP interaction. The star’s current .276 batting average is backed by a .310 on-base percentage and a .556 slugging percentage, highlighting his discipline and pop. His 17 home runs are already a career-high, and then, his 21 steals highlight his all-around power. In just 66 games, the star has posted a 4.0 WAR, turning him into a valuable asset in the NL.

With him proving to be a bright acquisition in current Cubs history, the team’s management has now turned its sights to a distinctive kind of enhancement—one that could solidify its postseason ambitions from the field.

Cubs eye rotation reinforcement as Zac Gallen enhances as top trade deadline target

The Cubs’ offense could be humming; however, the need for pitching depth has become clear, and the team appears ready to act. As per former GM Jim Bowden, Arizona’s Zac Gallen is the “perfect target” for a team looking to round out its rotation.

Gallen, who is going through a tough period this season with a 4-8 record and 5.15 ERA, could not look elite right now. But the pitcher’s resume is hard to ignore. Gallen began the 2023 All-Star Game, finished third in Cy Young voting, and logged a 14-6 record just last season. His upside remains undeniable.

Still, there are caveats. His strikeout rate has decreased to the 47th percentile. His hard contact has become a recurring issue. However, Gallen’s WHIP remains elite, sitting between 1.1–1.3, providing hints that all is not lost. If the Diamondbacks continue to slide in the standings, being an impending free agent making $13.5 million this season, Gallen could become a rental prize.

The Cubs, who have proven aggressive with Tucker’s acquisition and enhancement, could pounce again. If the team does, it will not just be related to short-period insurance—it will be a clear statement of October intent.

As the Cubs surge through the 2025 season with MVP-caliber performances and vital management moves, the team’s approach is coming into sharper focus. With Crow-Armstrong thriving and Gallen powerful on deck, the Cubs are not playing it safe anymore.

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