4 long-shot Cubs trade targets who could solve their desperate pitching problem

Pitching prospects on the rise. Free agent arms. Trade candidates. Jed Hoyer is going to look everywhere this offseason as he looks to rebuild the Chicago Cubs' pitching staff after injuries and poor performances, the latter plaguing multiple key relievers, proved costly this season.

When taking the pending free agent departures into account, the Cubs currently have a rotation of Edward Cabrera, Javier Assad, Braxton Garrett and two pitchers that come with major question marks in Justin Steele and Ben Brown. Both are definitely capable of heading up a rotation, but injuries have come to define them of late.

In the bullpen, Hoyer whiffed on all of his major relief signings last winter. Making that mistake again this winter could prove damning to the Cubs' hopes of closing the gap on the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. So, why not? Let's look at some wildly unlikely trade targets Hoyer could kick the tires on this winter as he gets to work.

Dollars, age and injuries make these unlikely Cubs trade targets

Jacob deGrom

Like I said. Long shots. Jacob deGrom posted a 3.11 FIP and punched out more than 200 hitters in just 162 2/3 innings of work this year for the Texas Rangers. He's also 38 (turns 39 next summer) and is owed a staggering $37 million next season.

The Rangers would surely love to be out from under at least some of that money and, given the Cubs' aversion to high-dollar, long-term pitching contracts, it's not a huge stretch to see the fit here. But given his age, injury history and salary, it would be shocking if deGrom was Hoyer's answer atop the rotation.

Sandy Alcantara

The Miami Marlins hold a $21 million club option on Sandy Alcantara next year, which they'll surely pick up. The big right-hander has been rumored to be on the trade block for years now, but remains in Florida. Last year, he led the league in starts and innings pitched, working to a 4.08 FIP and allowing an MLB-high 204 hits, so it's not all sunshine and roses here.

He hasn't fully returned to form after undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the 2024 season, but there's no doubt he's still got tremendous upside. The Cubs and Marlins are familiar with one another after having multiple discussions in recent years (including the Edward Cabrera trade last winter), but I'd be surprised if the Fish move Alcantara before the trade deadline.

Spencer Strider

Yeah, this one is way out there. Spencer Strider makes $22 million in each of the next two seasons and has a club option of the same value for 2029. Since winning 20 games and finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2023, he's battled injury after injury and, even when on the mound, hasn't been anywhere close to the same guy.

Since the start of the 2024 season, the Atlanta right-hander has started just 33 games, posting a 4.74 FIP and 1.402 WHIP. With at least $44 million still coming his way, this would be a major gamble for the Cubs and Hoyer - but all the same reasons could make Atlanta either willing to eat some money or take a lesser return.

Mason Miller

OK, when compared to Mason Miller, maybe Spencer Strider wasn't that far out there. The Padres' lockdown closer is just now entering arbitration, so he comes with three years of team control and doesn't turn 29 until next August.

This is a 'decimate your farm system' type of trade target. The fireballing righty made 66 appearances for San Diego this year, pitching to a 1.67 ERA and punching out 129 batters in just 70 innings of work. Maybe the Friars want to shake things up, but trading Miller would be a tough pill to swallow.

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