Cubs linked to Giants 3.33 ERA lefty as 'perfect' trade target by ex-MLB GM

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With the MLB trade deadline under two weeks away, the Chicago Cubs need to figure out who they should pursue to upgrade their rotation and bullpen.

There are some obvious options, like Tarik Skubal and Mason Miller, but both will be expensive. Instead, the Cubs could look elsewhere for more realistic trade targets who would still be huge upgrades.

Former MLB GM Jim Bowden of The Athletic identified San Francisco Giants left-handed Robbie Rays as the team's "perfect" trade target this summer to upgrade the starting rotation.

Cubs 'perfect' trade target is Giants' Robbie Ray

"The Cubs need to keep trying to upgrade their rotation," Bowden writes. "Ray will be a free agent this offseason and would be a solid get for Chicago."

While someone like Skubal, Joe Ryan, or one of the other top-tier controllable pitchers would be a fun pickup for the Cubs, Ray is a much more realistic option.

He's a free agent after the 2026 MLB season, as his five-year, $115 million contract will be up after 2026. As a rental starter who is also 34 years old and making a lot of money, the Giants likely won't be able to ask for a king's ransom.

Jed Hoyer and the Cubs could bring in Ray on a fairly reasonable price tag in a trade with the Giants. But, even though he might be a bit cheaper, the Cubs would still get a good pitcher.

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This season, Ray has a 3.33 ERA with 96 strikeouts and a 120 ERA+ in 110.2 innings pitched across 20 outings. It's been the best season he's had since he was the Cy Young winner in Toronto back in 2021.

While he's not going to be winning any awards this year, Ray has still been a very solid pitcher and would be a nice upgrade for the Cubs' rotation.

Bowden called Ray the Cubs' "perfect" trade option this summer, and for good reason. Ray would be an affordable, realistic, and high-quality trade target, all while being likely to be traded by the Giants, unlike the uncertainty around Skubal and others.