The Chicago Cubs have been linked to three more starting pitchers that they could trade for within the next six weeks as the team continues its search to add to their rotation.
At first look, Cubs fans might not get excited about any of these potential fits but there’s no doubt that a couple of these options would be great complementary pieces at the trade deadline. MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand released a list of, “14 prime trade candidates and where they might be dealt,” and the Cubs were attached to a trio of starting pitchers.
Let’s go from best fit to worst fit.
Zack Littell
Age: 29
Contract: 1/$5.72 million
Free agent after 2025
The right-handed pitcher is having another decent season with the Tampa Bay Rays. Littell has a 3.80 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 92.2 innings. He’s been consistent so far in 2025, tossing 10 quality starts and he’s doing it with a little luck.
Littell only has a 16.4 K% and a 5.32 FIP. That said, he’s not going to get into trouble by walking guys, only averaging one walk per nine innings pitched this year. The biggest red flag is that the right-hander has given up 22 home runs in 92.2 innings. That’s the most allowed by any pitcher through June 18.
Since May 9, Littell has recorded a 3.31 ERA in 51.2 innings. Pretty similar results to Jameson Taillon. Throws strikes, doesn’t walk guys, but can get lit up from time to time. Since the beginning of 2023, Littell has started 58 games and in 339 total innings he’s posted a 3.82 ERA.
In 2024, Littell had a 3.63 ERA with a 21.5 K% in 156.2 innings with Tampa Bay.
Andrew Heaney
Age: 34
Contract: 1/$5.25 million
Free agent after 2025
The veteran left-hander has been in the majors since 2014 and is currently having one of the better seasons of his career. Andrew Heaney, who the Cubs have faced and beaten twice this year, has a 3.33 ERA in 14 starts. The lefty has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of those starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and similar to Littell he’s done it without a lot of strikeouts.
The strikeout rate is at 18.5% and he does walk a few more guys, 7.5 BB%, however Heaney doesn’t give up a lot of hits. The left-hander ranks 22nd in MLB among starting pitchers with a .216 opposing batting average.
Heaney has taken a step back toward regression during the past month or so. After beginning the year with a 1.72 ERA in his first five starts he’s proceeded to post a 4.40 ERA in his last nine starts. During that stretch Heaney has given up 10 home runs in 47 innings, the fifth highest home run rate for starters since the end of April.
Since the start of 2022, Heaney has a 3.89 ERA in 458.1 innings.
Tyler Anderson
Age: 35
Contract: 3/$39 million
Free agent after 2025
Right off the bat the salary just doesn’t work here. Not because of “cheap Ricketts” but is Tyler Anderson the guy you’re going to take on a big chunk of salary for to help improve the rotation mid-season? Even if the Los Angels Angels eat most of the money I’m not quite sure if this is the route the Cubs want to go down.
Anderson has a 4.44 ERA in 14 starts and the regression has already hit for the lefty. He had a 2.58 ERA following a May 11 start against the Baltimore Orioles and since then Anderson has a 7.28 ERA, only going six innings in one of his last six outings.
Sure, Anderson can turn it around during the next few weeks and look like a solid addition to the back end of the rotation for the Cubs. For now though, I’m not sure he’s a good fit for what the Cubs should be targeting at the trade deadline. You want a little more guaranteed performance if you’re looking to upgrade.
In 2024, Anderson did end with a solid season, posting a 3.81 ERA over 31 starts with the Angels. Yet, he struggled down the stretch with a 6.39 ERA in his final eight starts.
