Why the Cubs Failed at the 2025 Trade Deadline
The 2025 MLB trade deadline has come and gone and Cubs fans are left wondering what just happened. Despite entering July with playoff momentum, the front office chose restraint over aggression. Here’s a breakdown of why Chicago’s deadline fell flat.
1. They Missed on Starting Pitching, Their Most Obvious Need
The Cubs added Mike Soroka, a back‑end starter with upside but a long injury history. He’s more of a lottery ticket than a postseason anchor.
Meanwhile, proven arms like Merrill Kelly, Charlie Morton, Shane Bieber, and Dustin May were on the move. The Cubs didn’t land a single one.
“How on Earth do you go through this deadline without adding a more sure‑fire starting pitcher than Soroka?”
That question echoed across Cubs media.
2. Their Moves Were Conservative, Not Aggressive
Chicago made four additions:
- Mike Soroka (SP)
- Andrew Kittredge (RP)
- Taylor Rogers (RP)
- Willi Castro (Utility)
Useful? Yes. Bold? Not at all. These are depth pieces, not needle‑movers. The Cubs didn’t add a bat. They didn’t address the top‑end of the rotation. It felt more like patchwork than a playoff push.
3. Prospect Capital Went Untapped
The Cubs still have a top‑ten farm system. That’s what made their silence so surprising. They had the chips to land impact talent but chose to hold firm.
“Jed left the Cubs a solid starter short… he should have done a better job knowing the cost and accepting it.”
When your system is loaded and your big league club is winning, the moment to strike is now. The Cubs let it pass.
4. They Got Outpaced by Contenders
Look around. The Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Padres, and Phillies all made real, aggressive moves. The Cubs? They filled holes, but they didn’t separate themselves.
Analysts across the league listed the Cubs as one of the teams that confused them most at the deadline.
Verdict: Measured, But Mistimed
Yes, the Cubs got better. But not enough.
They didn’t take a big swing. They didn’t go get the starter that October requires. If this team gets bounced early or runs out of arms down the stretch everyone will look back at this week as the turning point.
What Happens Next?
- The rotation is still the biggest question mark. Soroka needs to be better than expected.
- The bullpen now has reinforcements, but the pressure is real.
- The Cubs are betting on internal growth and health. That’s a dangerous play in August.
- If the season ends in disappointment, fans will ask why the front office didn’t do more when they had every chance to.
Bottom Line: The Cubs made solid moves. But when the moment demanded boldness, they blinked.
