The Chicago Cubs are currently 40-25 with a four-game lead in the National League Central.
Despite being 15 games above .500, the Cubs have dealt with unfortunate pitching injuries that have made the starting rotation thin.
Justin Steele underwent left elbow surgery after just four starts and is out for the season. Shota Imanaga strained his left hamstring on May 4 and won’t return until mid-to-late June.
Even when Imanaga comes back, the loss of Steele is crucial, and Chicago will need to address this at the trade deadline.
Matthew Sullivan of Athlon Sports devised a trade that would land the Cubs a former All-Star starting pitcher from the desert.
The Cubs would trade prospect pitchers Brandon Birdsell (Cubs No. 7) and Jaxon Wiggins (Cubs No. 9) to the Arizona Diamondbacks for struggling right-hander Zac Gallen.
Gallen, 29, is having the worst season of his career so far. Through 14 starts, Gallen is 4-8 with a 5.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He also leads Major League Baseball in walks (36).
Gallen is a free agent after this year and a change of scenery to a division leader could boost his value ahead of free agency.
Considering Gallen’s value is as low as it has ever been, giving up two top-10 pitching prospects could be more than enough for Arizona to part ways with the 2023 All-Star.
Birdsell hasn’t pitched in 2025 due to a right shoulder/lat injury but is 12-17 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in his minor league career.
Wiggins is 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP in 11 minor league appearances (10 starts) this season.
