Cubs connected to Mets’ breakout star in potential trade deadline heist

The Chicago Cubs are on a roll and have been one of the best teams in baseball this season, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some areas in which they should upgrade.

For example, the Cubs’ starting rotation has taken a big hit with Cade Horton being done for the season and Justin Steele having a setback. Plus, Matthew Boyd recently hit the injured list due to a freak meniscus tear.

Yes, Chicago acquired Edward Cabrera over the winter, but it’s becoming increasingly obvious that it could use another arm in its rotation. The good news is that there should be some decent names available between now and the trade deadline.

While Sandy Alcantara and Joe Ryan could represent the two best arms available, the asking prices for both will surely be astronomically high, and there is no guarantee that either the Miami Marlins or Minnesota Twins, respectively, move either pitcher.

However, Zachary Rotman of FanSided has identified another much cheaper option for the Cubs, and he could be nearly as effective: New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes.

Chicago Cubs linked to major trade deadline deal with New York Mets

Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Mets last year and was solid in 2025, logging a 3.53 ERA while allowing 150 hits and registering 129 strikeouts over 165 innings of work. He has been significantly better in the early stages of 2026, and with New York already teetering on the brink of being out of playoff contention, it could move him.

Rotman also feels that Holmes would be a perfect fit in the Windy City.

“A pitcher dealing this well would fit on any team, but Holmes makes a ton of sense for the Cubs in particular because of his pitching style,” Rotman wrote. “Holmes is a ground ball machine. He ranks in the 93rd percentile with a 57.4 percent ground ball rate per Baseball Savant, and he finished last season in the 94th percentile. The Cubs’ infield defense has three Gold Glovers in Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman, and Michael Busch is an above-average defender, too. There’s a chance Holmes would be even better with the Cubs’ infield defense behind him.”

Holmes has posted a 1.69 ERA across his first seven starts this season, having recorded a minuscule 0.984 WHIP. He isn’t really striking hitters out (6.5 K/9) and his 3.65 indicates that he may be getting a bit lucky, but again, because Chicago’s infield defense is so good, Holmes can get away with being a ground-ball pitcher.

The 33-year-old would not be nearly as costly as Alcantara or Ryan, so he could represent a much better bang-for-your-buck option for the Cubs. If the Mets continue spiraling, Jed Hoyer should probably place a call to the Big Apple to see if a trade can be consummated.

The post Cubs connected to Mets’ breakout star in potential trade deadline heist appeared first on ChiCitySports.