Mets-Twins trade confirms the easiest need Cubs can address at 2026 trade deadline

The New York Mets and Minnesota Twins came together for a trade on Thursday night that if you squint, has some loose connections to what the Chicago Cubs could do before the trade deadline. First, in the deal, the Twins added veteran relief pitcher A.J. Minter from the Mets for minor-leaguers Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick.

The Twins are picking up the rest of Minter's salary for the reason, roughly $3 million. For that reason, Minnesota was able to make the move without sacrificing any of their Top-20 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.

Things can still change with a sudden loss, but this very much puts the Twins as a buyer ahead of the deadline. A team doesn't trade for a rental high-leverage relief pitcher, pick up his salary, and then trade their ace, Joe Ryan, in the coming days. That dream for Cubs fans very much is over. At least, for this deadline.

As for the Mets, well, this likely is the start of what is going to be a busy few days. The Mets are going to be sellers at the deadline, and have several pitchers expected to be dealt. Most of which would be a match for what the Cubs are looking for.

Minter certainly would have been one of those pitchers. In 23 appearances this season, the 32-year-old has an ERA of 2.35 while striking out over 21% of the hitters he's faced. The underlying metrics, 4.02, suggest he's had a good amount of luck involved with his success this season, but given the price the Twins had to pay, it's easy to see why they took the chance that Minter can still find outs over the final two months of the regular season.

With closer scarcity at 2026 trade deadline, Cubs are positioned well for rental high-leverage arms

That is good news for the Cubs. Sure, there's an argument to be made that the Cubs should trade for a closer, but Mason Miller may be the only out there. And, with the other needs the Cubs have, they aren't in a position to overwhelm the San Diego Padres.

Instead, the Cubs are positioned well to add rental high-leverage arm to the bullpen or two. For these types, the money involved will be minimal, and the Cubs can save their higher ceiling prospects for a potential trade for a controllable starting pitcher. Or, for those Cubs fans who want to keep the dream alive, a trade for Tarik Skubal.

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