The Chicago Cubs, despite being belittled with injuries to their starting rotation, have excelled to start the season, and sit in first place in the National League Central with a few games lead over the Cardinals.
Some of the injuries the Cubs have had to deal with include: Cade Horton (out for the season), Matthew Boyd, and Justin Steele. Matthew Boyd was the latest victim, but the reports indicate that he should be able to return from a torn meniscus injury. However, with Chicago’s playoff (and World Series) aspirations, it begs the question if they should make a blockbuster trade? Reports today indicated that the Cubs could target Freddy Peralta, but with two southpaws sidelined in the rotation, the Cubs must consider trading for San Franscio Giants‘ starter Robbie Ray.
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Should the Cubs Trade for Robbie Ray?
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 7: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Oracle Park on April 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)
Robbie Ray has been one of the premier southpaws in Major League Baseball over the past several seasons. He’s in the last year of a five-year, $115 million deal that he signed before the 2022 season. Given the fact that he’s on an expiring contract lowers the asking price just a bit for the Cubs to potentially make a move.
Things also have not gone as the Giants have wanted to start the season, and trading Robbie Ray could net them some decent capital.
The 2X All-Star is enjoying another solid season to this point as well. Ray has an ERA of 2.95 over seven starts and 39.2 innings. He’s a name that the Chicago Cubs should think about making a call on.
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Why Robbie Ray is a Good Fit for Cubs Rotation
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 19: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
There aren’t many southpaw options with as much tenure as Robbie Ray in MLB. He’s a 13-year veteran pitcher with a Cy Young award to his name.
After dealing with some injuries for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Ray looks to be back to his ‘ start every fifth day’ form, which is something the Cubs could greatly appreciate.
As for what the Cubs may have to give up, the Giants would likely want a prospect haul or a young MLB player on the Cubs roster.
FanSided.com’s MLB insider, Robert Murray, recently gave some analysis on why Robbie Ray is a good trade candidate:
“Ray, 34, is on an expiring contract and remains one of the best left-handed arms in baseball, posting a 2.95 ERA across his first seven starts. Heâs in his 13th season in the Majors and won a Cy Young in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays. While heâs no longer that dominant level of pitcher, heâs still highly effective and should draw widespread interest from contending teams in need of pitching.”
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