The Chicago Cubs came into the season with a hole in their starting rotation. Injuries, including a season-ending surgery for Justin Steele, have destroyed the rotation even more than anybody could have expected.

Chicago will need to use the trade block in the next two weeks to find an upgrade for its rotation. There are bound to be plenty of options on the market, too.

FanSided’s Christopher Kline recently urged the Cubs to pursue a trade for Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan to fix the massive hole in their pitching rotation.

“Another potential trade deadline casualty in Minnesota, Joe Ryan’s name has been swirling around the rumor mill quite a bit lately,” Kline wrote. “Again, the Twins might opt to keep everyone together and push for the playoffs, but given their typical small-market attitude, trading an All-Star pitcher at peak value isn’t the worst idea.

“Ryan, 29, is also under contract through 2027, so the Cubs can invest in him beyond this season as a foundational piece next to Imanaga and Steele. This has by far been Ryan’s best MLB season to date. He was sharp last season, but 2025 has seen the righty elevate to a whole new level: Through 19 appearances (18 starts), he has a 2.72 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 121 strikeouts in 109.1 innings.”

Ryan seems like an unlikely trade candidate right now because he has a few years of team control left on his contract, but that doesn’t mean a trade is impossible.

The Cubs will likely target a controllable pitcher at the deadline, and Ryan fits that bill. He’s also in the midst of an excellent season with the Twins.

If the Cubs are willing to cut ties with multiple top prospects, there’s a chance they could pry him from the Twins. It’s not likely, but there’s a chance.

Either way, Chicago needs to find an ace on the market in the coming weeks.