The Chicago Cubs continued their aggressive push to strengthen the pitching staff by acquiring left-handed starter Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins before the MLB trade deadline. The move gives Chicago another controllable arm as the club looks to bolster its rotation for both the 2026 playoff race and future seasons.
Garrett, 28, was once considered one of Miami’s brightest young pitchers after breaking out during the 2023 season. However, injuries—including a second Tommy John surgery—derailed his progress, limiting his major league opportunities over the past two seasons. Despite struggling during his brief return to the majors this year, he impressed at Triple-A with a 2.90 ERA across 15 starts, convincing the Cubs that he still has significant upside.
To complete the deal, Chicago sent first baseman Jonathon Long, one of the organization’s top offensive prospects, along with right-handed pitching prospect Jace Beck, to the Marlins. Miami adds a power-hitting bat in Long and another intriguing pitching prospect as it continues its rebuilding effort.
The Garrett trade is part of a much larger deadline strategy by Cubs president Jed Hoyer. Earlier in the day, Chicago also added veteran pitcher Clay Holmes, outfielder Tyrone Taylor, and reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, signaling that the front office is fully committed to making a deep postseason run. Rather than relying solely on one major acquisition, the Cubs chose to reinforce multiple areas of the roster, particularly the pitching staff.
For Garrett, the move represents a fresh start. He joins a Cubs organization known for helping pitchers refine their mechanics and regain confidence after injuries. Because he remains under team control for multiple seasons, Chicago is not just acquiring a rental—they’re investing in a pitcher who could become a long-term piece of the rotation if he returns to his previous form.
The Cubs’ rotation has dealt with inconsistency throughout the season, making another starting pitcher a priority. Garrett adds valuable left-handed depth and gives manager Craig Counsell another option for the stretch run. If he can translate his Triple-A success back to the major leagues, he has the potential to become one of the more underrated additions of the deadline.
While some fans may question giving up Jonathon Long, Chicago clearly believes Garrett’s combination of experience, upside, and years of club control outweighs the cost. The front office is betting that a healthy Garrett can resemble the pitcher who posted one of the National League’s better seasons just a few years ago.
With the trade deadline now complete, the Cubs have dramatically reshaped their pitching staff. Whether Garrett becomes a key contributor immediately or develops into an important long-term rotation piece, the acquisition underscores Chicago’s determination to compete now while maintaining flexibility for the future.
