The Chicago Cubs might be in the market for a starting pitcher. After reports that Chicago is interested in free agent starter Lucas Giolito, it’s fair to assume the Cubs, who are off to a 9-9 start to the season, will be players in the external market for a starter to replace Cade Horton. Horton had to undergo UCL surgery and will not return in 2026. The 9-9 start isn’t bad at all, but the NL Central has surprisingly been a very strong division
A recent trade pitch by SI.com’s Ryan Shea features the Cubs linking with the Athletics for $45 million starter Luis Severino. You have to give credit to the A’s for signing Severino, but it becomes more and more apparent each start that he is just not comfortable pitching at Sutter Health Park.
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Do the Cubs Need to Trade for a Starter?
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05: Luis Severino #40 of the Athletics pitches against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park on August 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Per Shea, here are the full trade details:
Cubs Acquire:Â SP Luis Severino
Athletics Acquire: RHP Brandon Birdsell, LHP Riley Martin
There’s no doubt that several teams will come calling for Luis Severino in one way or another if the Athletics make him available, or even if they don’t.
Luis Severino’s stats in 2026: 4 starts, 19.1 innings, 16 walks, 5.59 ERA, 24 strikeouts.
If Severino is traded, he’s almost guaranteed to have some positive regression in a new ballpark.
With the loss of Cade Horton, the Cubs need another right-handed starter to pair with Edward Cabrera. Chicago seemed very willing to part with some of their top prospects when they traded for Cabrera, and it’s worked out so far in their favor.
So, do the Cubs need to trade for a starter? It might be a little too early to start thinking about a blockbuster trade like this, but there’s no doubt Chicago could benefit from adding another starter.
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Luis Severino’s Value as a Trade Candidate
Per Spotrac, Luis Severino is a top-10 trade candidate in MLB in terms of financial value.
In 2025 with the Athletics, Severino posted a 4.54 ERA over 29 starts and 124 strikeouts. In 2024, he made 31 starts.
He’s only made one start at home this season, but he gave up four earned runs over six innings of work with two home runs surrendered. The home runs given up have been his Achilles heel when pitching at Sutter Health Park.
Cubs fans, would you like to see Chicago pull off a trade for Luis Severino, or is there another trade target that makes more sense? Or should the front office take a flyer on Lucas Giolito and sign him?
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