The Chicago Cubs have endured a fairly rough start to the 2026 season. They currently sit at the bottom of the National League Central division after 18 games. Statistically speaking, the Cubs are not exactly playing extremely poorly. Chicago’s 5.22 runs scored per game ranks seventh-best among Major League Baseball teams. The club has also allowed a respectable 4.17 runs per game.
Instead, the biggest issue for the Cubs comes down to injuries. Chicago has already lost star pitchers Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton in the first few weeks of the campaign. The two starters were previously expected to lead the rotation in 2026. Boyd, widely considered the team’s ace, is supposed to return to action soon. Horton, however, will miss the remainder of 2026 due to elbow surgery.
With the star tandem out, the Cubs have relied on Shota Imanaga and Edward Cabrera. The starters have a combined 2.11 ERA in seven total appearances on the young season. Nevertheless, Chicago’s rotation gets a little murky after this. Because of this, the club has been urged to sign star free agent pitcher Lucas Giolito. Other MLB teams, however, are in play, and the veteran remains unsigned.
Assuming Giolito lands elsewhere, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has named San Francisco Giants ace Robbie Ray as a potential trade candidate for the Cubs. The Giants currently have the worst record in the National League and could become sellers come summertime. Ray is in the final year of his five-year, $115 million contract with the N.L. West club and will become a free agent after the current campaign.
Chicago Cubs Could Target Robbie Ray in the Summer
GettyRobbie Ray would give the Cubs a veteran presence in their rotation.
It is pretty easy to see why the Chicago Cubs, or any other team, would be interested in Ray this summer. The 34-year-old ace was an All-Star last year and previously collected the Cy Young award in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays. So far this season, the lefty has posted a 2.42 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in four starts with the struggling Giants.
Although Chicago could target Ray, it may take a while. Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins revealed on April 8 that the team will avoid making a major trade so early in the season. They will instead look within the organization for starting pitchers. Nevertheless, Hawkins did make a point to say that this strategy is a short-term solution.
The Cubs have been creative in selecting starting pitchers to begin the 2026 season. In fact, manager Craig Counsell has picked eight different starters during the first 18 games. At the moment, Chicago only has five total quality starts on the campaign, and Imanaga/Cabrera are responsible for three of them.
Chicago May Have to Give Up Star Slugger in Trade
If the Cubs ultimately land Ray, they would obviously have to give up a significant prospect or two in the deal. According to Reuter, Chicago may have to part ways with Jonathon Long to grab the Giants pitcher. Long is currently the sixth-ranked prospect in the club’s organization.
The first baseman was formerly a ninth-round draft pick in 2023 and has raked with AAA Iowa since the start of the 2025 season. While he is rated highly in Chicago, the Cubs have Michael Busch as their everyday starting first baseman. The slugger has struggled to start 2026, yet received MVP votes just last year. Losing a prospect like Long may sting, but Ray would be a solid addition to Chicago’s rotation.
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