Cubs Rumors: Obvious bullpen need can't be ignored after surviving until All-Star break

The All-Star break was an important mile marker for the Chicago Cubs. With the number of injuries the Cubs suffered to their pitching staff through the first three months of the season, the hope was that the team could survive until the All-Star break.

The idea being that the All-Star break would signal the light at the end of the tunnel for the pitching staff getting healthy. That's somewhat true. Phil Maton was reinstated over the weekend, and Jameson Taillon will follow suit after the break.

While Taillon's return should provide some stability for the rotation, the Cubs may not have that stability for the bullpen immediately following the All-Star break. Daniel Palencia is nearing bullpen sessions after the break, and Hoby Milner is still a few weeks away from resuming his throwing program.

Thanks to Trent Thornton, Jacob Webb, and Ryan Rolison turning into dependable high-leverage guys, the Cubs have reached the All-Star break without imploding. They are 12 games over .500, and with the 2026 Draft in the rearview mirror, they are now in a position where they can point to the trade deadline as being a meaningful moment for this team.

It's been clear for some time that the Cubs are going to be in the market for a starting pitcher ahead of the deadline, but in recent weeks, there's been an uptick in speculation that Jed Hoyer and Co. could be in the market for a closer.

As Craig Counsell joked with reporters over the weekend, he's been operating without a defined closer in the bullpen for quite some time. Counsell has mixed-and-matched options for the Cubs late in games, but it would seem that adding a closer is on the team's shopping list before the trade deadline. The Athletic's Patrick Mooney confirmed that adding a closer is on the "to-do list" for the Cubs front office before the deadline.

Cubs trading for an established closer is easier said than done before the trade deadline

There are three names who immediately come to mind. San Diego Padres' Mason Miller, Boston Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman, and Houston Astros' Josh Hader have all been potential trade candidates mentioned in the last few weeks. For varying reasons, trading for either of those three could be difficult.

The Padres may sell at the deadline, but there's no indication that Miller can be pried away from them. The Red Sox are suddenly the hottest team in baseball, and trading Chapman may no longer be on the table. Hader has looked dominant upon his return to the Astros this season, but his contract could be a hurdle.

Luke Weaver of the New York Mets could be an ideal option, considering he has closed games in the past with the New York Yankees. He's under contract through the 2027 season, so he would also be a piece for the Cubs to use beond this season.

That may be the type of deal the Cubs look to make before the deadline as they're now at the point where the bullpen is in clear need of reinforcements.

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