Chicago Cubs named “best fit” for 6x All-Star reliever as pitching woes still a concern

The Chicago Cubs are six games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central Division. At 50-40, they are well in the mix for a spot in the MLB postseason, even if they are not able to retake first place in the division.

However, in order for them to have any kind of success late in the year and in the playoffs (should they make it there), they need to have healthier and more reliable pitching. Throughout the course of the 2026 season, the Cubs pitching staff has been decimated by injuries, both in the starting rotation and bullpen.

It is clear, therefore, that they need to target a pitcher or two as the MLB trade deadline draws near.

The Chicago Cubs named a best fit for six-time All-Star Josh Hader

ESPN recently updated their list of the top 100 players that may be available via trade ahead of the MLB deadline at the end of the month. Current Houston Astros closer Josh Hader came in at 13th. As fans may recall, he broke into the Majors with the Brewers while Cubs manager Craig Counsell was in Milwaukee.

The sports network also listed Chicago as one of the best fits for the six-time All-Star, writing, “Hader is one of the best examples of why so many teams are chasing pitchers with big extension and lower arm slots who can still get “lift” on their fastballs: The angle at which his pitch approaches the plate (very flat) makes it very hard for power hitters to get on plane.

“That means lots of whiffs and mishits at the top of the zone, which then also means any sort of decent or deceptive off-speed pitch will also play well as hitters gear up for the heater. Hader’s bullet slider, placed below the zone, gives hitters fits for this reason: They miss on over half of their swings on the pitch.”

After missing much of the first part of this year as he recovered from injury, Hader is currently 3-0 with a 0.60 ERA and nine saves. Obviously, the hard-throwing lefty would be a godsend to Chicago’s beleaguered bullpen.

The issue, though, is that Hader is under contract for two more seasons after this one, and will cost roughly $25 million a year in addition to the prospects the Cubs would have to give up in order to get him. While they may be willing to part with some minor league talent, they may not be willing to take on his salary.

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