Chicago Cubs linked to jarring All-Star trade as season unravels

Things have not exactly gone according to plan for the Chicago Cubs this season, or at least over the last month.

Entering play on Sunday night, the Cubs are sitting at 34-31, and while that record looks respectable, it’s important to remember that they were 27-12 at one time. They have gone 7-19 since, and pretty much everything has unraveled.

Their starting rotation has been terrible, their offense has been hit or miss (quite literally) and their bullpen has also been a source of concern.

Chicago could try and buy before the MLB trade deadline, but with the deadline not until Aug. 3, it will be difficult for Jed Hoyer to patch up all of the holes in the meantime. So could the Cubs actually do what most thought would be unthinkable early in the season and sell?

If things don’t get turned around, it’s possible, and Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller has pitched a stunning potential trade candidate: Shota Imanaga.

Chicago Cubs could trade Shota Imanaga if things spiral

More specifically, Miller noted Imanaga as someone who could get moved if things continue to spiral for Chicago, and while it may seem jarring on paper, it makes sense.

Imanaga is slated to become a free agent after the 2026 campaign after signing a one-year qualifying offer to return to the Cubbies this season, and based on the way he has pitched, the Cubs may not want to bring him back.

The 32-year-old has logged a 4.74 ERA over 13 starts, allowing 17 home runs across 76 innings. His 1.079 WHIP is impressive, but his inability to keep the ball in the yard has sabotaged him this season. His 4.93 FIP isn’t exactly sparkling, either.

Imanaga initially joined Chicago in 2024 and had a terrific debut campaign with the club, posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.021 WHIP to go along with a fantastic 6.21 K/BB ratio. He was named an All-Star and even finished fourth in NL Cy Young award voting as a result.

Since then, however, the left-hander’s stock has dipped considerably. Injuries limited him to 25 starts in 2025, and when he did pitch, he wasn’t quite the same, managing a 3.73 ERA and 4.86 FIP.

Perhaps a change of scenery would do Imanaga some good. He still possesses impeccable control, so that should interest some teams. If the Cubs continue to labor, it’s entirely possible they will look to move the Japanese native in the coming weeks.

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