Cubs linked to nuclear trade that would destroy their farm system

The Chicago Cubs have been one of the worst teams in baseball for the last month, as they have gone just 7-20 since their 27-17 start. Talk about a polarizing ballclub.

A litany of problems have plagued the Cubs throughout that span, but the most notable of all has been their starting pitching. Chicago’s rotation is one of the MLB’s least productive, so if the Cubs want to make any sort of playoff push, they’ll have to add some arms.

On the bright side, there should be plenty of pitchers available between now and the trade deadline, so Chicago will have its pick of the litter. And while the Cubs’ farm system may not be as loaded as it once was, they still have some pieces that would intrigue other squads.

But just how much would Chicago be willing to surrender in a trade?

Well, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has proposed a trade in which the Cubs would receive Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha from the Kansas City Royals while giving up a king’s ransom in return.

Chicago Cubs linked to massive trade with Kansas City Royals

Miller has Chicago sending Kevin Alcantara, Jefferson Rojas and Jaxon Wiggins to the Royals in exchange for the two veteran pitchers, which is an absolutely massive price to pay for two aging hurlers with serious question marks.

Lugo has logged a 3.91 ERA and 1.355 WHIP over his first 13 starts of 2026. He posted a 4.15 ERA last season, and while he was an All-Star in 2024, it’s important to remember that the 36-year-old had been a reliever for a significant chunk of his career.

Wacha owns a 3.44 ERA and 1.136 WHIP this year, so he has been a bit better than Lugo. But he turns 35 next month and has a very checkered injury history. When healthy, he has been a very solid pitcher, but he would represent a pretty big risk.

And would the Cubs really give up three of their top youngsters for two pitchers who aren’t even aces? It seems like an incredibly steep price, and it’s more something Chicago would give up for Tarik Skubal rather than Lugo and Wacha.

The Cubbies definitely need pitching assistance, but I’m not too sure they would even consider this deal. Maybe trading for just one of them so the asking price would not be nearly as exorbitant would be more ideal.

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