Even with injuries sidelining their top pitchers, the Chicago Cubs’ rotation has held up well in 2025, thanks in large part to strong performances from Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and Shota Imanaga when healthy.
With Justin Steele out since April and Imanaga battling a hamstring issue, the Cubs have turned to a trio of young arms—Colin Rea, Ben Brown, and Cade Horton—to fill the gap.
While the young starters have largely held their own, there are growing concerns about how sustainable that success is.
Recent struggles may be an early warning sign: the Cubs have dropped four of their last five games, during which their starters have allowed 28 runs (25 earned) across just 24 innings.
Imanaga is expected back soon, which should help, but it’s clear the Cubs need to bolster their rotation before the trade deadline if they want to stay competitive in the second half.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan have floated the idea of the Cubs targeting Athletics pitcher Luis Severino as a potential trade option.
Now in his 10th MLB season, Severino brings a wealth of experience. While his overall numbers this year — a 4.42 ERA and 1.338 WHIP — aren’t particularly eye-catching, a deeper look reveals a different story.
His home and road splits highlight a stark contrast: Severino has struggled significantly at home with a 6.79 ERA, but he’s been dominant on the road, posting an impressive 0.93 ERA away from Oakland.
