AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

The Rundown: Pirates Gunning for Cubs, Hoyer Linked to Several Pitchers, Brewers Expected to Aggressively Pursue Starters

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 24, 2026

“What does it matter to ya? When you got a job to do, you gotta do it well. You gotta give the other fellow hell.” – Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney & Wings

When was the last time the Cubs played the Pirates in a pivotal series? You’d probably have to go back to the 2015 Wild Card game, which was a win-or-walk affair at the time. That’s when Jake Arrieta tossed a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts to advance the Cubs to a division series matchup with the Cardinals. That’s also the last time the NL Central was considered a powerhouse. Chicago finished in third place that year with 97 wins behind Pittsburgh (98-64) and St. Louis (100-62), and advanced to the NLCS before being derailed by the Mets.

The 2026 upstart Pirates are hoping to disrupt the division, if not now, then certainly in the near future. They trail the Cubs by 4.5 games in this year’s Wild Card race, and they’ve lined up Jared Jones, Paul Skenes, and Braxton Ashcraft to face Chicago. The North Siders will counter with Matthew Boyd, Shōta Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon, their playoff rotation if this was October instead of late July. The Cubs need to take at least two of the three games as we have entered the crucial part of the schedule. Nearly half of Chicago’s remaining tilts are against NL Central opponents, and Steve Phillips of MLB Radio is talking about Pittsburgh trading for Mason Miller.

It would kill me and scores of Cubs fans to see the Pirates that aggressive at the deadline while Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins dumpster dive. I’ve heard the speculation that the Cubs intend to go big, but call me skeptical until the results meet the rumors. Hoyer is looking for a starting pitcher who remains under club control beyond this season. Those guys tend to be expensive at this time of year, which is why last year’s pursuits of MacKenzie Gore, Mitch Keller, and Joe Ryan died on the vine.

Chicago has the assets to be aggressive, but Hoyer’s level of comfort rarely ventures into stages of uneasiness. His best trade chips are Matt Shaw, Kevin Alcántara, Owen Ayers, Miguel Amaya, Moisés Ballesteros, Pedro Ramírez, Jonathon Long, Ethan Cohen, and Jaxon Wiggins. It’s also possible that James Triantos was called up to showcase his big league readiness. The Angels are very interested, from what I’ve heard. I believe the opposite, that Chicago is preparing for life without Shaw and/or Ramírez. It’s safe to say that Josiah Hartshorn, Jefferson Rojas, and Brooks Caple are untouchable based on Hoyer’s history.

If you’re looking at targets, Reid Detmers and José Soriano are definite fits, and the Angels need a young catcher. That makes Chicago and Los Angeles ideal partners. Expect the market to increase for Ayers, Amaya, and Ballesteros because several teams, including the White Sox, are looking for backstops. Supply certainly favors the Cubs up the middle, which may allow Hoyer to stash Ayers and Rojas and still get a cost-controlled pitcher.

That said, nobody is coming in this weekend to help the Cubs take the wind out of the Pirates’ sails. The best way to convince Hoyer to punch up Chicago’s rotation is to take care of business on the field.

Cubs News & Notes

  • Nico Hoerner has struggled since leading the team for much of April and May. He’s hoping to turn that around in the stretch run.
  • Seiya Suzuki is Chicago’s hottest hitter right now, but he is probably nearing the end of his career with the Cubs.
  • Building around Pete Crow-Armstrong is essential, whether this year or in the future. The center fielder will be the most dynamic offensive and defensive player ($) in this year’s playoffs.
  • PCA is again projected to receive the largest amount from the $50 million pre-arbitration bonus pool based on his regular-season statistics. A total of 100 players will receive the payments, established as part of the 2022 collective bargaining agreement and aimed to get more money to players without sufficient service time for salary arbitration eligibility. He is eligible because the extension he signed does not affect his 2026 contract. That will probably change in the next CBA.
  • The Yankees, Rays, White Sox, and Dodgers are all looking for catchers. Carson Kelly will probably be a popular name next week.

Ball Four

Matty Shaw. Hug watch.

Central Intelligence

  • Milwaukee (64-38): The Brewers have talked to the Tigers about several pitchers, including Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty. They’ve reached out to the Angels to gauge the availability of Detmers, but didn’t find the asking price reasonable. They’ve also closely monitored the rehab and return of Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber. Giants southpaw Robbie Ray is “a really good one to watch,” according to one league source, who noted that the Brewers have an “up arrow” next to Ray because of the changes he’s made to his arsenal this season.
  • Chicago (57-45): The 10-year anniversary of the 2016 championship team is a reminder for the Cubs to act aggressively at the deadline.
  • Pittsburgh (53-50): The Pirates lengthened their bullpen by acquiring Ron Marinaccio from the Padres. To make room for Marinaccio on the roster, Pittsburgh designated reliever Dennis Santana for assignment. Santana is likely on Hoyer’s radar as an in-season reclamation project. He pitched to a 2.18 ERA across 70.1 innings in 2025, with 60 strikeouts, 17 walks, a .179 BAA and a 0.87 WHIP, making him one of the best relief pitchers in baseball.
  • St. Louis (52-50): The Cardinals are 21-24 since June 1 and are starting to trend toward selling at the deadline.
  • Cincinnati (47-54): The Reds are definite sellers and match up well with the White Sox, who are looking for a catcher and a starting pitcher. Tyler Stephenson and Brady Singer could be Chicago targets.

How About That!

Reliever Luke Weaver is the Mets’ best asset at the moment. Clay Holmes might get one start before the deadline, and Freddy Peralta has been inconsistent.

Holmes yielded two runs with two strikeouts in his first rehab start.

The Red Sox could target oft-injured outfielder Mike Trout if the Angels are willing to trade him.

The Diamondbacks expect to be both buyers and sellers next week.

Chris Sale has entered the Cy Young race in what is truly an age-defying season.

Apropos of Nothing

Remember when Peralta would pitch for the Brewers at Wrigley Field against a cascade of “Freddddy” jeers? It would be kind of cool to see that happen with the fans cheering for Peralta as a member of the Cubs.

The current rumor is that the Cubs will add one controlled pitcher and one bargain starter playing on an expiring contract. Give me one of Soriano, Detmers, Ryan, or Emerson Hancock plus Peralta or Bieber. I’ll pass on Kevin Gausman. Then get Miller and manhandle the Brewers in October.

Extra Innings

Rojas has that swing. That’s why the Cubs should hang onto him. Ramírez has all the helium, but Rojas is the future superstar.

They Said It

  • “[Pete’s] not going to chase the breaking ball away. He’s going to have a disciplined approach. He’s kind of impossible when you get to that place. With the ability to impact on the bases, you can’t pitch around him because it’s an extra-base hit. And if you pitch to him, it might be an extra-base hit. That’s the real beauty, he can get into scoring position so easily. You can’t walk guys like that.” – Hoyer
  • “Offensively, the on-base component of leading off, that’s a big deal. He’s on base a ton for some really good hitters behind him. That makes a huge difference. He’s just a threat. He’s a tough, tough at-bat for a pitcher in all ways. Defensively, there are just plays that he’s making [that] we’ll probably start to take it for granted a little bit. Nobody else is making those plays, and you’re going to have to watch baseball a long time to find someone who’s going to make those plays. That’s how good it is.” – Craig Counsell

Friday Walk-Up Song

I do love the opening riff to this song.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterJuly 24, 2026
Cubs Insider © Copyright 2026, All Rights Reserved