Chicago Cubs: former pitcher DFA’d by Athletics could be added for badly needed depth

The Chicago Cubs are 54-42 on the season as the second half is about to begin. Indeed, the first half of the season saw Chicago go through quite the roller coaster. From a strong start and two different 10-game winning streaks to a 10-game losing streak and a month without a series win, the Cubs have been all over the place in 2026.

It is no coincidence, too, that their ebbs and flows have come as their pitching staff has had to overcome injury after injury after injury. Multiple Cubs starters are out for the year, and even more have done more than one stint on the injured list already. Their bullpen has not been much healthier.

If Chicago is going to keep pace in the division, they need pitching.

Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Aaron Civale is available again

Earlier today, it was reported that former Cubs pitcher Aaron Civale has been designated for assignment by the Athletics:

Athletics To Designate Aaron Civale For Assignment https://t.co/7jn3lZduUq pic.twitter.com/JApZJXLOUV

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 16, 2026

So far in 2026, Civale has appeared in 16 games (15 starts) and is 5-7 with a 5.42 ERA.

Obviously, these numbers are not great, and they would not necessarily give any Cubs fan confidence that adding him would do much good for the team.

It is worth considering, though, that Civale was in a similar circumstance last year, and Chicago was able to take advantage of it.

The long-time veteran started the year with Milwaukee Brewers in 2025. After being told they were going to move him to the bullpen ahead of promoting Jacob Misiorowski, Civale demanded a trade. As a result, the Brewers sent him to the Chicago White Sox for Andrew Vaughn.

At the time of the trade, Civale was 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA. After the trade, he was downright awful for the White Sox, going 2-7 with a 5.37 ERA.

When the South Side team designated for assignment late in the year, the Cubs added him. Instead of inserting him into their starting rotation, they brought him out of the bullpen. He was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in five appearances with the North Side team.

At this point, the Cubs need healthy arms in both the starting rotation and bullpen. Civale can do both. His numbers as a starter have not been great, but perhaps the chance to pitch for a contender, even out of the bullpen, would appeal to him.

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