Cubs predicted to trade for Mets' 2.39 ERA starting pitcher amid dire need

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Cubs predicted to trade for Mets' 2.39 ERA starting pitcher amid dire need originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs have a dire need for starting rotation help, as they've lost a few key pitchers to lengthy injuries this season, while others have struggled.

While someone like Tarik Skubal would be an incredible pickup for the Cubs, they aren't likely to be the team that lands the Detroit Tigers ace. Instead, the Cubs are better suited to land a more affordable rental starter.

ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted that the starting pitcher the Cubs will acquire at this year's deadline is a New York Mets righty, but not Freddy Peralta. Instead, Schoenfield is predicting that 2.39 ERA starter Clay Holmes will be traded to the Cubs this summer.

Cubs predicted to trade for Clay Holmes in deal with Mets​

"Mets trade Clay Holmes to Chicago Cubs," Schoenfield predicts. "... He had a 2.39 ERA before the injury and a 3.53 ERA in 2025, so if he throws well upon his return, it wouldn't be unrealistic to view him as a possible Game 1 starter for the Cubs."

The Cubs need to upgrade their starting rotation, and Schoenfield is predicting they'll do so in a trade for the veteran Mets starting pitcher.

Holmes has been out for much of the 2026 season due to a broken leg. But, recently, he had a few rehab outings, and they've gone well enough that plenty of clubs should be in his trade market.

The 6-foot-5 right-hander is in the final year of a two-year, $26 million contract. He does have a 2027 player option, but that's likely to be declined unless there's some long-term concern.

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More likely than not, the Cubs, if this prediction from Schoenfield were to come true, would have Holmes for just August, September, and the October playoffs this year.

Still, even as a rental with some risk due to his return from injury being a question mark, the Cubs landing Holmes would make a lot of sense as a high-upside rotation option who could legitimately be the team's No. 1 starter by October.

This prediction is a fairly realistic one, and for the Cubs and Jed Hoyer, Holmes would be a good combination of an affordable starter who has very high upside. There's some risk, but if Holmes hits, he could be a major asset come October.

More MLB news:​

• Yankees are ‘leading candidate’ to trade for Twins’ Ryan Jeffers
• Red Sox ‘would love’ to trade for Angels’ Zach Neto or Astros’ Jeremy Pena
• Giants willing to trade Heliot Ramos in big news for many MLB clubs
• Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
• Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him

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