Getty

The Chicago Cubs could still make a splash in MLB free agency.

The Chicago Cubs entered the 2026 MLB season expected to be one of the top World Series contenders in the National League. So far, they have looked like that kind of team.

After defeating the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night, the Cubs now hold a 24-12 record. They currently lead the NL Central by 2.5 games and are the second best team in the National League overall.

Jed Hoyer has to be feeling good about how things are looking. However, there are obvious areas of concern that should be upgraded ahead of the MLB trade deadline.

One of those areas comes in the bullpen. Chicago has been dealing with some injury trouble in the pen, but even when full healthy the team could use another arm.

Keeping that in mind, a potential trade target has been suggested for the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Could Consider $13 Million Trade Target

A suggestion has been made that would see Chicago have interest in a very familiar face.

Jake Misener of FanSided has come up with the idea of the Cubs trading for Boston Red Sox relief pitcher and closer Aroldis Chapman.

“Pairing Chapman with Daniel Palencia at the back of the Cubs’ bullpen would give Craig Counsell one of the best late-inning duos in all of baseball,” Misener wrote. “He’s got the experience and there’s familiarity on both sides of the equation, so this is a name to keep an eye on.”

Chapman is also familiar with Chicago. He played for the franchise back in 2016 and was part of the World Series win. Bringing him back this season would be fun.

Add in the fact that he has been pitching at a very high level and the move would make even more sense.

What Would Aroldis Chapman Bring to the Cubs’ Bullpen?

This season, Chapman has appeared in 12 games for the Red Sox. He has compiled an 0-1 record to go along with a 0.77 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, a 4.7 K/BB ratio, seven saven, and no blown saves.

Last season in Boston, the 38-year-old reliever pitched in 67 games. He went 5-3 and recorded a 1.17 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 5.7 K/BB ratio, 32 saves, four holds, and two blown saves. Those numbers would be a welcome addition to the Cubs’ bullpen.

Whether or not Hoyer and the Chicago front office would have interest in Chapman remains to be seen. But, if the Red Sox keep struggling, he could be made available.

At the very least, this is a potential option worth keeping an eye on for the Cubs. Fans would almost certainly love to see the hard-throwing lefty back in Chicago.

Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey