Cubs top trade deadline need is same position as last year despite offseason moves

Cubs top trade deadline need is same position as last year despite offseason moves originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs are off to a solid start to the 2026 MLB season, with a 13-9 record that's only 1.5 games back of the Cincinnati Reds for first place in the NL Central.

They're one of the best teams in baseball defensively, and the offense is a solid group as well. But the pitching staff does have a lot of questions. Daniel Palencia landed on the injured list, proving to be a big issue for the Cubs' bullpen. But that's not their top need.

Instead, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter called out the Cubs' starting rotation as the team's biggest trade deadline need. For the second year in a row, the Cubs need to find a way to bring in more rotation help, as Craig Counsell's unit is a bit depleted already.

Cubs have SP need for 2nd straight season

"The Cubs have used eight different starting pitchers through 21 games, and will now be without Cade Horton for the remainder of the season after he underwent Tommy John surgery," Reuter writes.

Cade Horton's injury was a tough blow for the Cubs, as the team was already dealing with a pair of injuries to Matthew Boyd and Justin Steele. While those two could return this season, Horton is done for the year.