The Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins have reportedly engaged in trade discussions that could send the Twins’ ace, Pablo López, to Chicago. The Cubs are in need of a top-tier starting pitcher who can not only handle the demands of a 162-game season but also step up in high-pressure situations like the first game of a playoff series. Their previous attempts to acquire a premier pitcher, including trade talks for Jesús Luzardo, fell through after Luzardo was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Though the Cubs may still pursue Luzardo’s teammate, Sandy Alcántara, who the Miami Marlins have indicated they are open to trading, they have turned their attention to López as a potential solution for their rotation.
After the Luzardo deal collapsed, Cubs beat writer Bruce Levine of 670 The Score mentioned that while the Cubs’ pitching staff has depth, they need an ace rather than more pitchers who can throw in the low 90s. This shift in focus has led them to explore a trade for López, who has made a name for himself as a consistent and reliable starter for the Twins. López, who enters the 2025 season with roughly seven years of service time, would provide a significant upgrade to the Cubs’ pitching staff. With a career record of 54-49 and an ERA of 3.91 over 889.1 innings, López is entering the prime of his career and appears poised to elevate his performance even further.
In 2024, López posted a 15-10 record with a 4.08 ERA across 32 starts, pitching 185.1 innings, striking out 198 batters, and achieving a 3.65 FIP and 1.192 WHIP. His numbers were somewhat skewed by a rough first half of the season, where he went 8-7 with a 5.11 ERA in 19 starts. However, López rebounded after the All-Star break, going 7-3 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 starts. His second-half performance demonstrated his ability to adjust and perform under pressure. His pitching arsenal is also impressive, featuring a four-seam fastball that he effectively pairs with a changeup, leading to a high strikeout rate and making him a tough opponent for hitters. According to Baseball Savant, López ranks in the 89th percentile for chase percentage, 90th percentile for walk rate, and 95th percentile for extension, which makes his fastball appear faster than its actual velocity.
In terms of what it would take for the Cubs to acquire López, recent reports have suggested that the Twins would likely demand a top prospect in return. According to Bobby Nightengale, a writer for the Star Tribune, the Cubs would need to part with someone like Pete Crow-Armstrong, who the Cubs value highly and envision as a key piece of their outfield. However, instead of giving up Crow-Armstrong, the Cubs could offer other valuable prospects such as Owen Caissie and Cole Mathis. Caissie, ranked 34th in MLB’s top 100 prospects, has had an impressive minor league career and could thrive with regular playing time in the majors. Last season, at Triple-A, he hit .278/.375/.473 with 19 home runs and 75 RBIs in 127 games. With the Cubs’ outfield already full, sending Caissie to the Twins would give him the opportunity for consistent playing time, which is crucial for his development.
Additionally, Cole Mathis, drafted by the Cubs in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft, is another intriguing prospect. Known for his polished game due to his college experience at the College of Charleston, Mathis had a standout season, posting a .335/.472/.650 line with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs in 52 games. He could provide the Twins with a high-upside player who is capable of advancing quickly through the minor league system.
The Cubs would be able to take on López’s salary, which is owed $21.75 million annually over the next three seasons, totaling $65.25 million. With the Cubs having traded Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees, who assumed all of his salary for 2024, the Cubs have the financial flexibility to make this deal work.
The Cubs’ pursuit of either López or Alcántara should be a priority for them, as both pitchers would solidify their starting rotation. Bruce Levine believes that a trade for López could be realistic, considering the needs of both teams and López’s value to the Cubs’ pitching staff.
