Cubs rumored to ‘headline’ blockbuster trade package with this player

The Chicago Cubs will almost certainly make some moves before the MLB trade deadline. In fact, one could go as far to say that it is an absolute must if the Cubs want to have any chance of making a deep playoff run.

While Chicago needs help up and down its roster, its biggest need is certainly in the starting rotation, where it has been absolutely ravaged by injuries. And as for the Cubs starters who have remained healthy? Let’s just say they haven’t performed up to par.

Chicago has been rumored to be in the mix for a plethora of names in the lead up to Aug. 3, and it already landed David Peterson in a trade with the New York Mets.

Of course, Peterson isn’t a marquee addition, and he absolutely cannot be the only pitcher the Cubs add in the coming weeks.

So, who else will the Cubbies pursue? Well, Jim Bowden of The Athletic has tabbed Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray as a likely target, and he feels it will cost Chicago one of its top young players: Matt Shaw.

Chicago Cubs could trade Matt Shaw for Sonny Gray

Shaw was once a top prosect in the Cubs system and made his big-league debut last year, slashing .226/.295/.394 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI over 437 plate appearances.

It was a rather disappointing debut campaign for Shaw, although he did demonstrate incredible versatility by manning a variety of different positions in 2025. He has displayed similar versatility in 2026 and has also seen progress with his bat, owning a .246/.322/.415 slash line across 147 trips to the dish.

Shaw has been sidelined since late June due to a sprained hand, and he isn’t due back until after the All-Star break. But could he be in his waning moments with Chicago?

“The Cubs could offer Matt Shaw as the headliner in the package, and he would be a solid fit for Boston,” Bowden wrote of a potential Gray trade.

Gray has pitched to the tune of a 2.61 ERA and 1.104 WHIP this season. His 3.60 FIP and 3.68 xERA indicate that he may be benefiting from some good luck, but considering that he owns a ground-ball percentage of 47.6 percent, he should be able to perform equally as well with the Cubs’ infield defense behind him.

The 36-year-old owns a lifetime 3.54 ERA and is earning $11 million this season. He has a $30 million mutual option for 2027.

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