Cubs linked to dangerous $95 million trade that could go one of two ways

The Chicago Cubs‘ bullpen has been a major source of contention for quite some time now. It cost the Cubs plenty of games last year, and it hasn’t exactly been lock down in 2026, either.

Fortunately, the Cubs have plenty of time between now and the MLB trade deadline to add some help to the pen, and it seems like almost a guarantee that Chicago will acquire at least one arm in the coming months.

But just how big will the Cubs swing when it comes to landing relief pitchers?

Their two-year, $14.5 million contract for Phil Maton certainly has not yielded positive returns in the early stages of this season, as Maton lays claim to an ugly 7.71 ERA and 1.629 WHIP. So will they be willing to spend more?

Jake Misener of Cubbies Crib thinks it’s a possibility, naming Houston Astros closer Josh Hader as a potential option for Chicago.

Chicago Cubs linked to wild Josh Hader trade

Hader has not yet pitched this season, as he has been recovering from biceps tendinitis and began the campaign on the 60-day injured list. He is nearing a return, however, and with the Astros falling out of contention early, he may be available for trade.

Misener listed the lefty among three closers the Cubs could pursue before Aug. 3.

“Houston owner Jim Crane isn’t a ‘sell’ type of guy. But with his team 11 games under .500, the Astros’ decade-plus window of contention may finally be closing (we have said this before only to be proven wrong, but this time feels different). Trading Hader could be a nice way to jump-start a rebuild,” Misener wrote.

To be clear, Misener qualified everything by saying that Hader was the least likely addition on his list, and that’s certainly accurate.

Hader is in the third year of a five-year, $95 million contract he signed with Houston back in January 2024. His first season certainly did not go according to plan, as he logged a 3.80 ERA, but he was much better in 2025, pitching to the tune of a 2.05 ERA and 13.0 K/9.

Regardless of Hader’s bounceback last season, he would still comprise a wildly risky addition for Chicago given his health status and his contract, which runs through 2028 at $19 million annually.

When he is right, Hader is unquestionably one of the best relievers in baseball, which would make him a tremendous addition for the Cubs. But things could also go south very quickly, and I’m not sure Jed Hoyer would be willing to pay that price.

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