Statistically, the Cubs’ rotation has struggled to find consistency, posting a collective 4.33 ERA that ranks 21st across Major League Baseball. Compounding the issue is that Chicago doesn’t currently feature a single regular starter with an ERA under 4.00. While left-hander Matthew Boyd has returned from the injured list, he has logged a 4.50 ERA over nine starts. Furthermore, regular rotation pieces like Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon, and Ben Brown remain sidelined with injuries.
To land the arm talent necessary for a deep October run, the Cubs will have to part with notable talent. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, 22-year-old infielder Pedro Ramirez has emerged as a prime trade candidate.
“Like seemingly every contender, an impact starter and reliever could make the difference for the Cubs,” Rogers noted. “Infielder Pedro Ramirez is a natural fit for a trade, as he’s blocked in the infield.”
Ramirez’s primary obstacle in Chicago isn’t his talent, but a lack of opportunity. He has spent the majority of his minor league career playing second and third base—positions currently locked down by established veterans Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman. Even when factoring in his 25 minor league appearances at shortstop, Dansby Swanson’s contract keeps that position occupied through 2029.
Ramirez’s journey through the farm system is a testament to his steady development. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021, he steadily climbed the organizational rankings, rising from the team’s 22nd-ranked prospect in 2023 to 18th in 2025. He proved his bat could play at every level, slashing .280/.346/.386 in 129 games with Double-A Knoxville last season before absolutely tearing up Triple-A Iowa early this year with a .312/.395/.547 line across 43 games.
That red-hot minor league stretch earned Ramirez a big-league promotion in May. While parting with a versatile 22-year-old hitter carries long-term risk for the front office, a recent cooling-off period—marked by a .083 batting average over a seven-game stretch—combined with an absolute premium on available pitching across the league means Hoyer will likely have to include compelling young players like Ramirez to get a deal done.