Chicago Cubs’ Jed Hoyer won’t mortgage the future to acquire elite talent

If the Chicago Cubs have had one issue this season, it’s having a healthy starting rotation.

Not only has the rotation not been unhealthy, but they have also pitched poorly this season. The starting rotation has the second-worst ERA (4.81) and allowed the most home runs (62). Where the starting rotation signs are not allowing walks (24th, 103) and WHIP (10th, 1.23).

The good news for the Cubs is that left-hander Matthew Boyd is progressing well in his minor league rehab assignment. The All-Star left-hander logged five innings on June 6, where he allowed five earned runs on seven hits, walked one, struck out five and allowed three home runs.

More Cubs News: Chicago Cubs hope Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to heat up in June

Even though the starting rotation will appreciate the support of Boyd, who hasn’t pitched like an All-Star this season (a 6.00 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in five starts), adding another frontline starter is in order. However, that may not be the case, as president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer seems to have thrown cold water on the Cubs’ deep-sea fishing at the trade deadline (Aug. 3).

The Chicago Cubs may not be spending the prospect capital necessary to acquire top-tier arms

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Hoyer is unwilling to discuss the trade deadline at the moment, especially when it comes to “mortgaging the future” for either the Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal or the New York Mets Freddy Peralta.

“The trade deadline is the furthest thing from my mind right now …” Hoyer said to Nightengale. “Sitting here talking about the deadline, given how we played, seems like the wrong thing to talk about. We have to play better, and we have to put ourselves in a position to do that.’’

Hoyer’s rationale for not acquiring top talents like a two-time Cy Young winner (Skubal) and a two-time All-Star (Peralta) is how the Cubs have played. The Cubs are 11-19 in their last 30 games and have played under .500 since their 10-game winning streak ended (April 28 to May 8).

Another reason to steer clear of Skubal and Peralta is their impending free agency, and both are seeing lucrative long-term deals. Skubal is looking to become the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball, and Peralta is seeking an eight-year, $210 million contract similar to what Max Fried of the New York Yankees received, per Nightengale.

Whatever the case may be, the Cubs need another arm in the rotation, and Hoyer will need to bite the bullet and possibly give up some good prospects to acquire the talent needed to win the National League Central and succeed in the postseason.

The post Chicago Cubs’ Jed Hoyer won’t mortgage the future to acquire elite talent appeared first on ChiCitySports.