There is no secret that the Chicago Cubs want to add a pitcher or two ahead of the trade deadline. This is, of course, assuming that the North Siders remain in the playoff hunt. At the moment, Chicago is eight games back in the National League Central race. However, they are just a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for a Wild Card spot.
While there are several avenues for Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to explore a deal, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has a very interesting trade idea for the club. In a new proposal, Miller suggests that Chicago could target Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals. Acquiring two veteran pitchers from one team is fairly rare. Nevertheless, the deal would provide the Cubs with pitching depth, something they desperately need.
The Cubs are currently without key starters Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, and Justin Steele. Edward Cabrera also missed time recently as well, but has since returned to the rotation. Because of these injuries, Chicago’s starting pitchers have a collective 4.83 ERA in 2026. Only two other teams in baseball have a worse figure.
Both Lugo and Wacha are having solid seasons on a disappointing Royals team. Lugo, 36, has a 3.91 ERA and has allowed three runs or fewer in nine of his 13 starts. Wacha, 34, has posted an even better 3.44 ERA and 1.6 WAR during the current campaign. Both starters have been named to an All-Star team in their careers.
Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha Would Give the Chicago Cubs Stability in Their Rotation
Michael Wacha has been linked to a potential move to the Chicago Cubs before.
Fans of the Chicago Cubs may not exactly view Lugo and Wacha as marquee names in the trade market. This is especially considering star pitchers such as Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta are also expected to be available this summer. Despite this, Hoyer has hinted that he will likely not target a high-priced rental in the coming weeks. Both Skubal and Peralta are set to be free agents after the 2026 season.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently shared comments from Hoyer regarding the team’s potential trade approach. The Cubs executive suggested he is reluctant to mortgage Chicago’s future just to rent an elite arm for a short-term push. Lugo and Wacha, however, are both under contract beyond this season. Each pitcher is signed through 2027, with team options extending into 2028.
This is an important detail given the contract situations of Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon. As Miller points out, both pitchers are set to become free agents after 2026. While neither has been especially dominant this year, Chicago will soon have to address a significant rotation gap.
Chicago May Have to Give Up Former #6 Prospect
This is not the first time that the Chicago Cubs have been linked with Wacha. The club was previously connected to a possible pursuit during the summer of 2025. Although both Lugo and Wacha are nearing the later stages of their careers, they would still bring valuable veteran leadership and stability to the Cubs’ rotation over the next couple of seasons.
Assuming the two sides do strike a deal, Miller suggests the centerpiece of the trade could be prospect Kevin Alcántara. Interestingly, the highly regarded slugger was recently sent back to Triple-A Iowa after Matt Shaw was called up. The demotion followed a costly baserunning mistake on June 7.
