Rumors and reports continue to swirl with the trade deadline just a few days away. 

The Chicago Cubs are at the forefront of some of those rumors, as pitching remains a massive need for the team. The Cubs need to acquire at least one premier starting pitcher and a few high-leverage arms for the stretch run. 

This article will look at the latest reports surrounding potential Cubs’ targets, including what teams are asking for, who the front office is interested in, and whether a deal can get done in the coming days. 

The Cubs will no doubt be in the running for New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Although Peralta is in the midst of a career-worst year on the mound, his expected numbers look a lot better than his actual numbers. A change of scenery could be all that he needs to get back on track. 

According to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs “are among the clubs showing strong interest in Peralta.” They list the North Siders, Rays, Braves, and Phillies as the teams that are trying to land the Mets right-hander the most. 

However, the asking price for Peralta needs to come down massively. Sammon and Rosenthal report that New York wants a top-100 prospect and more for their struggling pitcher. For the Cubs, that would mean either trading away Josiah Hartshorn/Jefferson Rojas and probably another mid-level prospect for a pitcher on an expiring contract. 

That’s not happening. 

The Cubs and Mariners could be perfect trade partners at this year’s trade deadline. We highlighted that in a recent article here at Cubs Roundtable. The Cubs need controllable pitching, while the Mariners are in the hunt for a controllable bat. 

MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported that teams believe the Cubs could have “the best shot” at landing the young right-hander. They have the young bat to include in any deal. Trading Matt Shaw or Pedro Ramirez for Hancock straight up could make a lot of sense for both sides. This would be a very similar deal to the one the Red Sox and Nationals pulled off last weekend. 

But it doesn’t appear to be that simple because Nightengale also reported that the Mariners are potentially seeking both Seiya Suzuki and Shaw in a deal for Hancock. For a team that is trying to get all in, it wouldn’t make much sense for the Cubs to include both hitters.   

Tarik Skubal will be the most-coveted starting pitcher at this year’s trade deadline. It’s not often that a back-to-back Cy Young winner is available for trade. So, the Tigers’ asking price for Skubal will be really high. 

According to longtime Chicago sports media personality George Ofman, the Tigers are interested in Ben Brown and a few other pieces in exchange for Skubal. The Cubs are reportedly “considering” the southpaw as a blockbuster option, but it’s hard to imagine the front office trading two months of Skubal for Brown and more. 

The Tigers seem to be interested in getting back at least one high-upside Major League starting pitcher in any deal for Skubal. Brown obviously fits the bill of a controllable starting pitcher who has a ton of potential. 

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