The Chicago Cubs have set a franchise record by using the highest number of pitchers to achieve saves in a single season. This milestone highlights the bullpen’s instability during the past four months. Despite saves being an official statistic only since 1969, Aaron Civale’s scoreless 10th inning secured a 4-2 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking his first save of the season and making him the 13th Cubs pitcher with at least one save. Such situations have forced the team into challenging positions, primarily due to injuries affecting their pitching staff.
The upcoming trade deadline at 5 p.m. Monday provides an opportunity for the Cubs, who are pursuing the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers currently lead the National League Central by a margin of five and a half games. The Cubs, with a record of 62 wins and 47 losses, hold a solid lead over the last playoff spot, sitting five games ahead. President of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, along with the front office, faces the task of weighing the level of investment needed to strengthen the roster as they aim to maintain their leading position in the NL wild-card race.
“It’s all risk,” noted manager Craig Counsell on Thursday. “It’s a risk for the organization regarding both its future and present status. Jed’s role is to assess these risks daily.”
To improve the roster, the Cubs might have to consider trading top prospects along with young talents currently on the team. This strategy centers on acquiring Detroit Tigers’ ace, Tarik Skubal, on the verge of free agency. Hoyer’s extensive experience in making front-office decisions is crucial in such situations. This decision-making involves recognizing opportunities for a promising team’s progression.
“Experience expands your perspective,” Counsell stated. “It helps in understanding market dynamics, the motivations of buyers and sellers, and the relationships with decision-makers.”
The Cubs boast one of their most talented position-player lineups in history. Since 1901, only a few Cubs teams, notably those in 1931, 2025, 1930, and 1937, have registered higher than the current Offense metric of 58.1. To capitalize on this, strengthening the pitching aspect is essential. Recent performances during trips to Pittsburgh and St. Louis showcased the rotation’s potential, with Cubs starters achieving a combined 2.88 ERA over 21 games.
Despite Jameson Taillon’s struggles, resulting in a 1.30 ERA when excluding his performances, the rotation’s outlook remains optimistic. Matthew Boyd expressed satisfaction with the rotation’s development, saying, “We have a very good rotation with the guys that are in here. If guys are added, it’s always welcome. It’s going to make us better.”
The past two games against the Cardinals underscored the necessity for bullpen reinforcement before the trade deadline. Injuries have restricted Counsell’s tactical options in critical moments, yet some relievers have positively adapted. However, their performances remain unpredictable. Aaron Civale’s key contribution came during the 10th inning against the Cardinals on July 30, 2026. Among other relievers, Tyler Ferguson and Trent Thornton have also emerged but face challenges due to fluctuating performance.
Entering his Wednesday appearance, Thornton held a 2.51 ERA, though his strikeout rate had dropped to 11% this season. Counsell acknowledged the issues, saying, “That’s something we’ve looked at. And a strikeout helps.” The dilemma of relying on contact for outs was evident when Thornton failed to secure a Cubs’ lead, resulting in a 3-2 walk-off defeat.
To enhance the bullpen, acquiring a high-leverage reliever might prove costly, even for those heading into free agency. Closer Daniel Palencia’s anticipated return in August might alleviate some concern, though the unit lacks depth and seasoned expertise. Counsell has repeatedly demonstrated the right decisions in crucial situations.
“It’s just our journey this year with our bullpen. Some of it is injury-related. I give Jacob Webb a lot of credit in this thing, how he’s handled whatever has been put in front of him,” Counsell reflected. “For the last three months it’s been the biggest out in the game.”