Injuries have continued to plague the Chicago Cubs, particularly their pitching staff. Several starting pitchers are already out for the season, leaving Jed Hoyer and the front office with a major challenge to address in the coming months.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Cubs will need to stay competitive and keep themselves in contention for the National League Central title by late July.
There could be some intriguing players available on the market, even from teams still in the playoff race. One such team is the Athletics, who might consider trading Luis Severino. While Severino has performed solidly during his time in Sacramento, his contract is relatively expensive for the Athletics, making him a potential trade piece depending on the team’s direction.
In a possible deal, the Cubs would acquire Severino, while the Athletics would receive right-hander Brandon Birdsell and left-hander Riley Martin.
According to Ryan Shea, the Cubs would pursue this move to secure a dependable starting pitcher with upside, aiming to strengthen their rotation for a postseason push. Severino’s experience and ability to pitch regularly, generate strikeouts, and ease pressure on the bullpen make him an appealing option. Despite some inconsistency, his strikeout potential gives Chicago more upside than a typical back-end starter.
If the Athletics remain among the top teams in the American League West by the trade deadline, they may hesitate to part ways with Severino. Still, his contract remains a significant factor in any decision. Additionally, Severino has made notable remarks about playing in Sacramento’s smaller ballpark, which could also influence the situation.
