The Cubs came away from the 2025 trade deadline with four new in-season additions—Michael Soroka, Andrew Kittredge, Taylor Rogers, and utilityman Willi Castro—but the overall haul felt pedestrian at best.
While cast as depth pieces, none were real game‑change upgrades. Soroka’s surface ERA checks in at 4.87, though his expected metrics look better, and Castro’s versatility and value against lefties were highlights. Still, fans expected more.
The big issue: the Cubs failed to land an immediate impact starting pitcher—despite openly targeting one.
That omission loomed largest, especially given injuries to Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad, and the uncertainty surrounding Jameson Taillon.
In a season built around All-Stars like Pete Crow‑Armstrong and Kyle Tucker, the pitching staff needed reinforcement to sustain a playoff push.
Post-deadline grades were brutal: D+ from ClutchPoints and recognition among the league’s major non-winners.
Competitors like the Mets, Padres and Phillies pulled off more impactful deals, putting Chicago in the “left behind” camp.
In short: fine moves maybe, but not enough for a team with World Series aspirations.
