Chicago Cubs possible trade deadline target would be so Cubs-like

The Chicago Cubs now have less than two weeks to go before the August 3 trade deadline passes and they’ll have to make do with the pitching they have. And with the team currently operating a pitching staff full of emergency fill-ins and castoffs from other teams, “standing pat” would not bode well for their chances in the postseason.

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So, the pressure is on for Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. With a trade market that looks much tighter than previously expected and a limited amount of trade capital to move, it won’t be easy picking up the haul needed to fortify a pitching staff that has been stressed and strained by injuries.

By most accounts, Chicago would need at least two solid starters and two quality relievers to walk into the playoffs with some degree of real confidence.

But even under extreme duress, Hoyer and the Cubs will probably follow their usual pattern when it comes to acquisitions. Expect a buy-low, hope-for-high strategy at the deadline. And when thinking like the Cubs, there’s one name that seems to scream out “pick me.”

Clay Holmes is Cubs material all the way

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Clay Holmes of the New York Mets has been on the shelf with a broken right fibula since mid-May, but he’s due to make his first rehab start on Thursday. Up until the injury, though, he was doing ace-level work for the struggling Mets, posting a 2.39 ERA over 9 starts and 52.2 innings.

In terms of pitching style and temperament, the 33-year-old righty is Cubs material all the way. He induces weak contact and is working a 56% groundball rate.

Contractually, he has a $12 million player option for next season. He’d probably be more likely to exercise that option for a winning Cubs team with a defense that can make him look stellar before hitting free agency in 2028. Rumors previously had him talking extension with the Mets, so that could mean he’d be open to doing the same with the Cubs.

Just as important, the Mets’ asking price for him, given his injury and the fact that he could chose to become a free agent after this season, would be significantly more modest than what other teams will be demanding for a starting pitcher.

On the cheap?

The comparatively modest asking price would leave open the possibility of Chicago acquiring more arms by the deadline.

Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib also believes that Holmes might make sense for the Cubs:

“In a world where the Cubs look to add two starting pitchers to the rotation before the deadline, Clay Holmes of the New York Mets would be a worthwhile gamble…

Holmes has a player option for the 2027 season, and given the injury, there’s a chance that he avoids free agency this offseason. Especially since there’ll likely be a work stoppage and stunted free-agent market. If the Mets make him available, the Cubs should be involved.”

The Cubs and Mets worked together on a trade back in late June when Chicago acquired starting pitcher David Peterson in exchange for prospect Cole Mathis.

Provided Holmes looks decent and sturdy in his rehab, few in Chicago would look down on the possibility of bringing the veteran to the Cubs.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-clay-holmes-trade-deadline-mets/