Justin Steele replacement may have just fallen into the Chicago Cubs lap

The Chicago Cubs won't be trading for Sandy Alcantara anytime soon.

It certainly is possible that the Marlins will move Alcantara before the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on July 31, but as is normal operations for the first month of the regular season, impact trades usually aren't at the forefront of activity in April.

For now, the Cubs seem comfortable with Colin Rea taking Justin Steele's turn in the rotation, but it would seem likely that the front office is always looking for external reinforcements. An interesting option may have just become available.

The Cleveland Guardians have designated right-handed starting pitcher Triston McKenzie for assignment. After having a breakout season with the Guardians in 2022, posting a 2.96 ERA in 191.1 innings pitched with 190 strikeouts, McKenzie appeared to be working his way toward the top of the list of starting pitchers in the American League.

However, injuries and ineffectiveness have derailed his ascension in the seasons since. Prior to the 2025 season, McKenzie had made a total of 20 starts for the Guardians between 2023 and 2024. In each season, McKenzie sported an ERA over 5 while trying to work through command issues.

McKenzie opened the 2025 season in the Guardians' bullpen, allowing 7 runs on 7 hits and 7 walks in 5.2 innings of work.

An imperfect Justin Steele replacement just became available.

McKenzie would be an imperfect solution for the Cubs' need in the starting rotation. For a Cubs team that isn't shy about adding veteran pitchers deemed to be reclamation projects, McKenzie would be an ideal addition to the team's organization. Along those lines, McKenzie is out of minor-league options. The Cubs would need to carry him on the Major League roster if they were to claim him from the Guardians, or if the two sides work out a trade. The best outcome would be for the Guardians to release McKenzie with the Cubs then adding him on a minor-league deal.

Looking for a change of scenery, the Cubs would be an ideal landing spot for McKenzie, given that Carter Hawkins is likely aware of his pitching profile from his time with the Guardians' organization.