Astros have ideal Cubs trade deadline target hiding behind Josh Hader speculation

Jed Hoyer has, historically, been quite good at building strong bullpens with limited resources. This year's relief corps has been far shakier than usual, but the low-risk offseason acquisitions of Jacob Webb, Trent Thornton, and Ryan Rolison have gone a long way toward keeping the group afloat despite an onslaught of injuries and underperformances.

That's not to say that upgrades aren't necessary; that unit tanks 14th in ERA and 27th in fWAR this season. With eight relievers currently on the injured list, including four who are on the 60-day IL, reinforcements are pretty much guaranteed to come to Chicago in some fashion this summer.

But rather than swinging a trade for a high-priced rental like Aroldis Chapman or a well-paid leverage guy like Luke Weaver, why shouldn't the Cubs go and try to find some stability in the form of a young, controllable reliever? The Houston Astros' AJ Blubaugh is reportedly available, and he's got a career 2.90 ERA in his first 90 MLB innings. Seeing as he won't become a free agent until after 2031, he's the exact kind of pitcher that should be on Hoyer's radar.

AJ Blubaugh has what Cubs' bullpen needs: reliability and durability

The Cubs and Astros have been connected on the rumor mill quite often this year, mostly thanks to all the veteran talent the AL West team still possesses. At 46-49, they're not entirely removed from the playoff picture in a very weak American League, but they're also not quite the peak Astros who dominated the Junior Circuit for the better part of a decade.

Their most attractive relief chip, closer Josh Hader, is obviously a tantalizing target. He's back at the peak of his powers this season, recording a 0.59 ERA and 43.9% strikeout rate, and he's still under contract for two more years after 2026. The problem? He's 32, has dealt with bicep and shoulder injuries recently, and is owed $19 million per season for the duration of his contract.

That's just not the kind of reliever the Cubs have ever targeted under Hoyer's watch. Blubaugh is also a little outside his comfort zone, but his status as a rubber-armed long reliever (58 innings covered across 35 appearances this year) might be difficult to pass up. Getting him on the cheap for the next 5.5 seasons is also a huge bonus.

Funnily enough, we have a pretty strong point of comparison here: Scott Effross. Four years ago, the Cubs traded the sidewinder and his remaining 5.5 years of team control to the Yankees for top pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski. Would they be willing to pay a similar price (perhaps a package centered around Kaleb Wing or Mason McGwire) now for Blubaugh?

The volatility of relievers makes it difficult to justify such a deal -- Effross hasn't been the same in New York -- but the Cubs need quality and durable bullpen arms right now. If Blubaugh can stabilize the relief corps in 2026, the long remainder of his contract will merely be the icing on the cake.

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