Cubs predicted to pay 'hefty price' for immediate pitching help from Angels

1 hour ago 2

One of the more significant stories of the Chicago Cubs' season is the unfortunate number of injuries to their starting rotation.

Several starters have made injured-list stints, including Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd.

Right-hander Cade Horton is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has some work to do at the trade deadline.

It's Chicago's clear need with one week to go.

The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma predicted Monday that the Cubs will pay an extremely high price to acquire a quality starter from the Los Angeles Angels.

"The Cubs acquire Reid Detmers and pay a hefty price for him. The Cubs just need bodies when it comes to their pitching right now, and Detmers helps immediately," Sharma wrote. "This is not a front office that’s going to pay a huge price for a rental."

Detmers has two years of control after the 2026 season and has a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts this season.

Detmers has high trade value

While his ERA may not be super impressive, Detmers is averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and has a pitching run value of 12.

Chicago could use someone like him in its rotation for the next few years.

MORE: Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure

"They also have multiple rotation pieces hitting free agency after this year, so could really benefit from getting some shopping done now," Sharma added.

"With a lack of sellers, the prices will be high for anyone, but getting a young pitcher who can miss bats and is under control through 2028 would be a dream for the Cubs."

While the Angels should be sellers, it may take a strong trade package to persuade them to move Detmers. They may see him as a top two starter in their rotation over the next few years.