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The Cubs could make a late move at the MLB trade deadline.
The Chicago Cubs could make a late deal before the MLB trade deadline strikes at 6 p.m. ET on July 31, 2025. There are plenty of MLB rumors linking the Cubs to a variety of veteran pitchers as Chicago makes a push to attempt to win another World Series.
The Cubs already made moves to acquire a pair of pitchers on July 30, by trading for Andrew Kittredge in a deal with the Baltimore Orioles as well as adding Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals. It remains to be seen if more trades are on the way for Chicago before the clock strikes midnight on potential deals.
One intriguing name being linked Chicago is Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported that Eflin is among the veterans who the Cubs have explored trading for ahead of the deadline.
“The Cubs have talked at various times to the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays about their potentially available starters and to the Pittsburgh Pirates about Mitch Keller, as well as a handful of other teams, according to sources,” Rogers wrote in a July 30, 2025, story titled, “MLB trade deadline 2025: Breaking down Chicago Cubs’ options.”
Zach Eflin when asked how he would describe his time in the organization if he’s indeed made his final start with the Orioles: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to wear this uniform and I don’t take that for granted.”
Full answer: pic.twitter.com/vrEl1E3cTb
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) July 29, 2025
“The Cubs are also candidates to land one of Arizona’s available pitchers — though, after another so-so performance by Zac Gallen over the weekend, righty Merrill Kelly, 37, is the more reliable of the two Diamondbacks pitchers. And they also have shown interest in Baltimore’s Zach Eflin.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Cubs trade rumors.
The Cubs Missed Out on Trading for Shane Bieber Who Is Headed to the Blue Jays
Eflin is entering the final months of a three-year, $40 million contract. The former first-round draft pick could be had on the cheap given the Orioles are in danger of losing Eflin for nothing in free agency.
This is a solid trade for the #Cubs:
Soroka has 3.32 xERA and a .218xBA. This suggests he is super unlucky and Cubs have an amazing defense.
They sent one of there 9,000 OF prospects who is 14th and an 18 year old infieder who is years away from MLB. pic.twitter.com/LtEIno5CIn
— Cubs Daily (@Cubs_Daily1) July 31, 2025
One player who the Cubs will not be trading for is Shane Bieber who the Toronto Blue Jays acquired from the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber had been linked to the Cubs prior to the deadline deal.
Cubs Rumors: More Deals Could Be on the Way for Chicago at the MLB Trade Deadline
Eflin is not having his best season with a 5.93 ERA, the highest of his career since 2017, along with a 6-5 record. Whether Eflin or another player, there is a buzz that the Cubs could make additional moves.
“The Cubs failed to land (Eugenio) Suárez to upgrade third base, but rookie Matt Shaw has broken out offensively since the All-Star break, batting .359 with four homers and a 1.119 OPS,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote in a July 31, article titled, “The 8 biggest storylines to watch for on MLB trade deadline day.” “The bigger need for the Cubs is pitching, a starter in particular. Their trades for righty Michael Soroka and reliever Andrew Kittredge on Wednesday amounted to a decent beginning.
“Teams seeking rotation help continue to cite the sellers’ prices as steep, exorbitant, astronomical, pick an adjective. Well, the Cubs will have no excuse if they fail to come away with one of the available starters. Prior to the start of the season, The Athletic’s Keith Law ranked their farm system the sixth-best in the game.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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