Cubs-Pirates trade idea brings new starting pitcher to Chicago

The Chicago Cubs are leading the National League Central by 6 1/2 games and are tied with the New York Mets for the best record in the NL, entering play on Wednesday. However, they could use some help in the rotation.

The Cubs' starters have a 3.86 ERA this season. The team will be without Justin Steele for the rest of the season after he underwent season-ending elbow surgery. Shōta Imanaga is currently injured, but he should return. The Cubs will want to add a reliable arm to slot in behind him in the rotation with Steele out.

It's unclear how many starting pitchers may actually be available near the trade deadline. Players like Zac Gallen or Erick Fedde may not be available if their respective teams want to try and make a postseason push. However, MLB insider Mark Feinsand suggested the Cubs could trade for Andrew Heaney of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"No, this isn’t the Pittsburgh starting pitcher whose potential availability has generated so much buzz, but Paul Skenes isn’t going anywhere anytime soon," wrote Feinsand. "Mitch Keller could be in play, though he’s signed through 2028, so Heaney – who is pitching on a one-year, $5.25 million deal – could be a better option. Heaney is 3-5 despite a 3.33 ERA in 14 starts, and the 34-year-old has pitched in the postseason in two of the past three seasons."

Heaney's best ability has been his availability. He has made 30-plus starts in each of the last two seasons. He won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023, but is pitching better now.

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In the last two seasons, he had a 4.22 ERA. This season, his ERA is better, and he is not relying on strikeouts as much. The Pirates are poised to be sellers, but there could be a holdup with the Cubs trading for Heaney. The Pirates may not want to help out a division rival by handing them a starting pitcher for a postseason run.

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