Updating Cubs' depth chart after disappointing trade deadline haul

The Cubs brought in three relievers and a utility man at the trade deadline. They did not, against all expectations, bring in a starter.

Following the decision to DFA Ryan Pressly to open a roster spot for the trade deadline acquisitions, the depth chart now appears to be mostly set for the stretch run. Let's take a look at who the Cubs will deploy in their attempt to win their second World Series in a decade.

Chicago Cubs 2025 depth chart following 2025 trade deadline

Let's dive into the actual depth chart, hit some caveats, and then dive into the analysis.

Catcher: Carson Kelly, Reese McGuire, Miguel Amaya*

First base: Michael Busch, Justin Turner

Second base: Nico Hoerner, Willi Castro, Jon Berti

Third Base: Matt Shaw, Willi Castro, Jon Berti

Shortstop: Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Willi Castro

Left field: Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Willi Castro

Center field: Pete Crow-Armstrong

Right field: Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki, Willi Castro

Starting pitcher: Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Colin Rea, Jameson Taillon*, Javier Assad*, Michael Soroka**

Bullpen: Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Andrew Kittredge, Taylor Rogers, Ryan Brasier, Drew Pomeranz, Brooks Kriske, Michael Soroka**

*Player is currently on injured list. In Amaya's case, he is on the 60-day IL. Expect him to replace McGuire on the roster when he is healthy.

**Soroka can fill either a starter role or reliever role. It seems like he'll be a starter until one of Taillon or Assad return.

So, what are the main takeaways with this roster picture?

Well, for one, Willi Castro is basically the backup or third-stringer at nearly every position on the roster. He really was a perfect get for what the team needed on the bench, and can spell nearly anyone on any given day to give a regular a breather.

However, he's not really a capable center fielder (he can play it in an absolute pinch), and thus, the Cubs still have no true backup to PCA. Tucker or Castro are probably the immediate replacements, and Kevin Alcantara remains in the system to be the long-term backup. Still, this was a roster flaw the Cubs failed to cover for.

On the pitching side of things, there's now a ton of depth in the bullpen, and Soroka's flexibility will give Craig Counsell a lot of options in the season's final stretch.

Still, the rotation is lacking upside, which remains a harsh truth following the team's failure to wrangle one of the better starters on the market. The team is betting big on the returns of Assad and Taillon, which feels like fool's gold considering that neither have ever been more than a passable No. 3 starter in their careers.

Ultimately, the depth chart is impressive in its depth but lacking in its star power. So, basically, nothing has changed following the trade deadline.