3 Cubs' internal options to replace Jameson Taillon before the 2026 trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs finally cut bait with Jameson Taillon this week, designated the veteran right-hander for assignment after yet another rough outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision was long overdue, though the timing was peculiar since the trade deadline is still a week away.

The team called up Andrew Wantz to take Taillon's vacated roster spot, but he hasn't been treated like a true starter since before the Covid-19 pandemic. More than likely, one of Javier Assad or Aaron Civale will fill the No. 5 spot in the rotation until a trade is made for a veteran pitcher.

However, if the front office wants to use this opportunity to audition a younger arm for other teams prior to the deadline, there's a number of players waiting in the wings at Triple-A for their (next) shot in the big leagues.

3 Iowa Cubs pitchers who could earn an MLB spot start after Jameson Taillon was let go

Jordan Wicks

By far the least-exciting option here, Wicks earns this nod by virtue of simply already being on the 40-man roster. The 2021 first-round pick hasn't been able to stick around the major-league level, getting rocked in his four appearances (10.1 innings) this year to the tune of a 10.45 ERA. That also fails to mention the 7.41 ERA he's recorded in 15 starts in Iowa.

However, his underlying stats with the big-league Cubs (4.38 xERA, 3.69 FIP) are far more promising, and it wasn't too long ago that he was considered a legitimate top prospect. His elite changeup also remains extremely effective, inducing a 46% whiff rate in Triple-A this year.

His stay in Chicago would be extremely short, but as a fill-in starter until someone gets healthy or a deadline acquisition is brought in, Wicks would require the least amount of logistical headaches to call up.

Jaxon Wiggins

On the opposite end of the spectrum we have Wiggins, the top pitching prospect in the system with immense upside. He'd be a jolt of energy for the rotation, and it'd be nice to see him make his MLB debut before the Cubs starting bringing in reinforcements.

Whether or not he's earned that opportunity, however, is up for debate. He missed multiple months with elbow inflammation and, like Wicks, has gotten hit hard in Triple-A; through five starts (15.2 innings), Wiggins owns an unsightly 9.19 ERA and 5.83 FIP.

His control has been a huge sore spot this year, as he's walked at least three batters in each of his starts since returning to Iowa. He's not on the 40-man roster and clearly still shaking off the rust from his long hiatus; it probably doesn't make much sense for the Cubs to rush him up, especially if they're keen on using him as a trade chip at the deadline.

Will Sanders

Among the other pitching prospects currently working in Iowa are Sanders, Grant Kipp, and Connor Noland, and you could make a decent case for any of them. None are on the 40-man roster, but each of them would be worthy of a spot start (or pseudo-audition for another team prior to the deadline).

Sanders is having the best year of the bunch, though Noland has thrown over 200 innings in Triple-A since first making it to the level in 2024. We'll give the edge to the 24-year-old, however, since he's both more of a true prospect and Rule 5 eligible this offseason.

Over 48.1 innings in Iowa this year, Sanders has recorded a respectable 4.10 ERA (4.73 FIP), a stark improvement from his performance in 2025 (6.38 ERA/5.36 FIP). If someone like Wiggins is traded this summer, he'll immediately become one of the best pitching prospects in the organization within proximity of the majors.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow