Cubs Trade Idea Sends Kevin Alcántara, Jack Neely for Seth Lugo
Cubs Trade Idea Sends Kevin Alcántara, Jack Neely for Seth Lugo originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Chicago Cubs should find themselves in the market for a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.
Advertisement
An impressive start to the season has them at 46-32 and atop the National League Central. The Cubs have dealt with Justin Steele's absence swimmingly and have navigated this stretch with Shota Imanaga.
But, even with Jameson Taillon (3.84 ERA, 4.82 FIP), Matthew Boyd (2.84 ERA, 3.66 FIP), Colin Rea (4.42 ERA, 4.77 FIP), and Cade Horton (3.73 ERA, 3.78 FIP) holding down the fort, another top arm would propel this team into the upper echelon of contenders.
According to Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN, Kansas City Royals righty Seth Lugo is a top trade deadline candidate and a natural fit in Chicago.
Here is what that trade could look like:
Advertisement
Cubs receive: RHP Seth Lugo
Royals receive: OF Kevin Alcántara (No. 4), RHP Jack Neely (No. 15)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) delivers during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Lugo, who is set to make $15 million this season and next, has a player option for 2026. This deal would likely require a contingency plan for Chicago to proceed.
Alcántara and Neely are too much to give up for a rental. But, a year-and-a-half of Lugo could be worth diminishing some of the farm system.
Lugo has been excellent in his 10th MLB season, going 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA, a 4.26 FIP, and 68 strikeouts to 23 walks over 83 innings for Kansas City. He is 35 years old, and this would be a risky, all-in move for the Cubs, but he could also be the key piece to this puzzle.
Advertisement
The Royals are hanging around at 38-40, but ace Cole Ragans is out with a left rotator cuff strain, and should he remain sidelined for an extended period, they could punt on the campaign.
Related: Cubs Announce Pitching Roster Moves Ahead of Huge Cardinals Series
Related: Cubs Urged to Solve 'Desperate' Need By Trading For Marlins' Cy Young Starter
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cubs Reportedly Calling Teams to Find Matt Shaw's Replacement Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline
Cubs Reportedly Calling Teams to Find Matt Shaw's Replacement Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs are expected to make moves during the deadline, and one of them might be replacing Matt Shaw. When Shaw was demoted to Triple-A a few months ago, the idea was for him to eventually come back and figure things out. Instead, Shaw has struggled drastically, getting just four hits in his last 10 games. Advertisement Holding a .215 batting average, it's tough to continue allowing the 23-year-old to struggle at the level he has. While the Cubs need to give Shaw a real chance to compete at the big league level, Chicago is in a position to win a World Series right now. If the Cubs want to be the team they're looking to be, they can't afford for Shaw to continue giving them what he has, which has quite literally been nothing. However, according to a recent report from Northside Baseball's Matthew Trueblood, the Cubs want to improve their roster and possibly replace him. Trueblood reported that the Cubs have contacted the Athletics and the Minnesota Twins for multiple players. Chicago Cubs second base Matt Shaw (6) celebrates after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning at Chase Scuteri-Imagn Images 'In a survey of their needs and chances to address them, the Cubs have made calls about players who would shore up their weaknesses on the bench and in the infield rotation, sources said this week. Two trade candidates on their radar are third baseman Luis Urías, of the West Sacramento Athletics, and utility man Willi Castro, of the Twins, and the Cubs have touched base with each of those teams this month,' he wrote. Advertisement Willi Castro would be an interesting player to pursue, but he isn't perfect by any means. Throughout the year, he's impressed, hitting .278 with seven home runs. It's been the best season of his career, which is a bit worrisome, but he played at a decent level last season, too, earning an All-Star nod. With a 124 OPS+, there's reason to believe he could be a decent fit in Chicago. He's a second baseman and shortstop, but it's possible that he'd be willing to move over to third base to solve some of the Cubs' issues. Related: Cubs Manager Craig Counsell to Leave Struggling Star in Heart of Lineup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cubs' Kyle Tucker Admits 'There's Some Other Stuff' to Consider in Free Agency
Cubs' Kyle Tucker Admits 'There's Some Other Stuff' to Consider in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If the Chicago Cubs lose Kyle Tucker, this campaign will ultimately be viewed as a failure. Unless the Cubs win a World Series, nobody will be happy about the outcome of the year if Tucker is on a different ball club in the next few months. Advertisement It's tough to envision him leaving, but anything is possible. However, just from an outside point of view, Tucker is playing in one of the greatest cities in the world for a storied franchise. Not only is he doing that, but the Cubs are in first place, and he's swinging the bat at a ridiculously high level, hitting .287 with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs. His 167 OPS+ is also one of the highest in Major League Baseball. When speaking about his upcoming contract situation with NBC Chicago, Tucker admitted that he's loved the first half of the season in Chicago, but added that some other things have to be figured out. Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC LeClaire-Imagn Images 'I've had a phenomenal first half of the season here so far. It's been nothing but great. I could definitely see myself in that situation, but obviously there's some other stuff we've got to get through,' Tucker said. 'But I mean I've had nothing but a phenomenal time here.' Advertisement When asked where negotiations stand, Tucker said he wants to keep those between him, the organization, his agent, and others. However, he must be giving love to the fan base, as they'll surely play a part in what he might do in the next few months. 'You definitely feel the love from the fanbase and the team, so I mean it definitely plays a part in (any decision),' he said. 'I don't know where the future's going to be or what not, but for now I'm here and I'm really enjoying it.' Related: Cubs Manager Craig Counsell to Leave Struggling Star in Heart of Lineup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Cubs Might Find Shocking Trade Candidate in Orioles' Charlie Morton
Cubs Might Find Shocking Trade Candidate in Orioles' Charlie Morton originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Several names have been tossed around as potential fits for the Chicago Cubs' unsteady rotation: Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney, Zach Eflin, etc. There are several quality hurlers the Cubs can choose from, but there is another emerging name that has surfaced, a pitcher who has had some stunning recent success. And that pitcher is – Charlie Morton? Let's back up a little. Advertisement At age 41, having pitched 18 years in the Majors and throwing to a laggardly 5.63 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles this year, it would seem Morton is anything but 'emerging.' But none of this tells the full story. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, Morton is quickly becoming a compelling trade chip. 'Don't look now, but the symbol of the Orioles' early collapse, right-hander Charlie Morton, is emerging as a legitimate trade candidate,' Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic. 'Morton, 41, lost his spot in the rotation after posting a 10.89 ERA in his first five starts. But since returning to the rotation for good on May 26, his ERA in six starts is 2.90. He also has struck out 37 in 31 innings. The biggest concern for a team interested in acquiring Morton might be paying the balance of his $15 million salary. At the deadline, he still would be owed nearly $5 million.' Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talks to the media after introducing pitcher Shota Imanaga (not pictured) during a press conference at Loews Chicago Hotel. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Morton may be too far past his prime to post the 3.05 ERA he put up in 2019, but it was only in 2023 when he finished with an ERA of 3.64. He is far from being a risk-free option, but if he can keep up his resurgence, he might be a solid mid-rotation arm once again. Advertisement Related: Cubs' Kyle Tucker Admits 'There's Some Other Stuff' to Consider in Free Agency Related: Cubs Reportedly Calling Teams to Find Matt Shaw's Replacement Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
