Cubs are chasing something big at the deadline (and fans will love it)

If the Chicago Cubs dropping two of three games against the Detroit Tigers over the weekend proved one thing, it's that the Cubs must address their need for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. All the Cubs had to do was look across the field, see the success of Tigers' pitchers Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, as the primary reason that they should boost their rotation before the deadline.

It does seem that the Cubs are aware of that fact. In his latest notebook for USA Today, MLB insider Bob Nightengale lists the Cubs among the teams expected to be the most aggressive at the deadline. In their aggressiveness, Nightengale has the Cubs looking to boost their starting rotation and bullpen.

Echoing similar sentiments, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (Subscription Required) also notes that the Cubs will be looking to improve their rotation ahead of the deadline. While having brief mentions of Chris Sale, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly, Mooney also highlights that the Cubs' pitching infrastructure likely would be a perfect situation for struggling Marlins' ace Sandy Alcantara.

Cubs must add a frontline starting pitcher before the MLB Trade Deadline

The Cubs' need for starting pitching is heightened when fans begin to imagine what a potential postseason rotation may look like for the team. Assuming health, Shota Imanaga, as it stands, would be the Game 1 starter for the Cubs, followed by Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd in some order. Considering their respective first-inning struggles, it would seem unlikely that Cade Horton and Ben Brown are major points of emphasis in a potential Cubs' postseason rotation. That isn't a rotation that would scare opposing teams.

There also doesn't appear to be much in the way of internal solutions for the Cubs. Javier Assad has yet to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, and while Colin Rea has been a pleasant surprise at the start of the season, his hard-hit numbers would suggest a regression is coming.

The lack of internal options speaks to the reason why the Cubs need to be aggressive at the deadline. As long as Kyle Tucker is only contractually tied to the Cubs for one season, this year needs to be where Jed Hoyer pushes all the chips to the middle of the table. Included in that strategy would be adding a frontline starting pitcher at the deadline.