The Chicago Cubs are in position to pursue several high-priced pitchers ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline that the Pittsburgh Pirates likely cannot afford, according to an article by Chris Landers of FanSided.
Both clubs entered the weekend series at PNC Park as contenders seeking upgrades in the rotation and bullpen. The Cubs won Friday’s opener and lead the Pirates by 5.5 games in the National League Central, yet both teams remain in the wild-card hunt.
Their shared needs center on pitching. The decisive difference is money. The Cubs rank among baseball’s richest franchises, while the Pirates have never finished a season with a payroll above $100 million and currently sit near $106 million, according to Spotrac.
Landers identified six potential targets whose contracts or arbitration paths place them beyond Pittsburgh’s typical spending range.
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller heads the list of relievers. Both the Cubs and Pirates bullpens have struggled lately, and Miller’s elite ability would strengthen any contender.
Miller enters arbitration for the first time next season, with further raises expected through 2029 before free agency. Pirates history indicates they would avoid that long-term commitment.
New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver has delivered a sub-2.00 ERA during a lost season for his club. He would give Pittsburgh a quality right-handed relief option.
Weaver is owed the balance of his 2026 salary plus $12.5 million in 2027, more than the Pirates have typically spent on a single reliever. The Cubs could use him with Daniel Palencia and Phil Maton on the injured list.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jeff Hoffman carries a 4.30 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, yet his chase, whiff and strikeout rates remain among the best in baseball. Bad luck appears to drive much of his surface struggles.
Hoffman is due $12.67 million next season, again outside Pittsburgh’s comfort zone. Landers said the Cubs should contact Toronto about acquiring him.
Among starters, Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan stands out if the Detroit Tigers keep Tarik Skubal. Rotation depth is a more pressing need for Chicago than for Pittsburgh.
Ryan faces his final year of arbitration next season before free agency. Given their young pitching depth, the Pirates appear unlikely to absorb that cost. For the Cubs, Ryan could join Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd once Edward Cabrera and Ben Brown return from injury.
Toronto’s Kevin Gausman becomes a free agent after this season but is owed roughly $7 million to $8 million for the rest of 2026. That remaining salary would challenge Pirates general manager Ben Cherington’s budget math.
Gausman has struggled in his contract year, yet his fastball-splitter combination and postseason experience still hold value. He could serve as a solid mid-rotation option for Chicago without future obligations.
San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray is another rental owed significant money through the end of his deal. His numbers benefit from a pitcher-friendly home park and some luck, but he has adapted his arsenal and can work as a lefty specialist in relief.
The Cubs can readily absorb the $7 million to $8 million remaining on Ray’s contract. Whether the Pirates can remains uncertain.
Landers noted that while both clubs share identical pitching needs, only the Cubs possess the financial flexibility to target these impact arms before the deadline.
