Cubs linked to trade for the weirdest Cy Young award winner ever

The Chicago Cubs addressed their starting rotation during the offseason, swinging a trade to acquire Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. The problem is that their pitching staff has experienced considerable loss since then.

Cade Horton is out for the season due to an elbow injury, Justin Steele had a setback and Matthew Boyd is now sidelined thanks to a freak meniscus tear.

As a result, the Cubs will almost certainly be in the market for another starter between now and the trade deadline, and the good news is that there should be plenty of intriguing names available before Aug. 3.

Chicago didn’t make any significant moves last summer, but this year feels different. The Cubs are one of the best teams in baseball and appear to have most of the ingredients needed for a World Series run. So fans should expect Jed Hoyer to be more active this time around.

That could mean completing a major trade for a top arm, and Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib has offered an interesting solution: San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray.

Could the Chicago Cubs try to trade for Robbie Ray?

The Giants entered play on Friday just 14-23 and in last place in the NL West, so if they continue at this trajectory, selling at the trade deadline seems likely.

That could mean Ray may be on the move, and Campbell has tabbed him as a natural fit in Chicago.

“Ray may be the ideal candidate for the Cubs,” Campbell wrote. “He’s in the final year of his deal and owed $23 million. With the Cubs willing to go into the luxury tax this season, they could offer to take the remaining money off the Giants’ books. If the Giants are looking for a long-term option at second base, the Cubs also have several infield prospects who could be of interest.”

Of course, the Cubs may not want to pay an exorbitant price for a guy who could simply walk at the end of the season, but Ray could definitely be of significant help … depending on the version Chicago gets.

Ray won a Cy Young award with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2021 when he logged a 2.84 ERA and led the majors with 248 strikeouts. However, he led the league in walks the season prior, and he missed most of 2023 and 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.

The 34-year-old has long been a strikeout machine (10.8 K/9), but his lifetime 3.91 ERA is not what you would expect from a Cy Young winner.

Ray has been good thus far in 2026, having posted a 2.95 ERA over his first seven starts.

Considering his overall pedigree, Ray would absolutely comprise a compelling target for Chicago.

The post Cubs linked to trade for the weirdest Cy Young award winner ever appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-linked-trade-weirdest-cy-young-award-winner-ever/