Proposed Cubs trade sees Chicago land $64.5 million 2.89 ERA star pitcher to act as emergency replacement due to Cade Horton's season-ending injury

Proposed Cubs trade sees Chicago land $64.5 million 2.89 ERA star pitcher to act as emergency replacement due to Cade Horton's season-ending injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Chicago Cubs have had a rough start to the 2026 season, sitting in last place in the NL Central, with a record of 4-6. On top of that, their top two starting pitchers, Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, are down with injury.

While Boyd will return at some point, Horton was not so lucky, and will have to undergo season-ending surgery on his UCL. With that in mind, FanSided’s Jake Elman proposes that the Cubs should get a replacement, and trade with the Colorado Rockies for their ace, Kyle Freeland.

MORE: Proposed Cubs trade sees Chicago land former Rookie of the Year as replacement starter for injured Cade Horton

“At first glance, Freeland’s experience might appeal to the Cubs and other contenders. With that said, he turns 33 in May and isn’t your back-of-the-rotation workhorse, only averaging 145 innings from 2021 through 2025…The best thing Freeland has working for him, though, is his control. He only averaged 2.4 walks per nine during that aforementioned five-year stretch, which on its own warrants a call. If the worst-case scenario is Freeland doesn’t pan out, at least the Cubs could manipulate his playing time so he doesn’t meet the 170 innings needed for his vesting option,” Elman wrote.

So far this season Freeland has started strong, at least by Rockies standards. He’s posted a 0-1 record, a 2.89 ERA, eight Ks, and a WHIP of 1.393 in nine and a third innings pitched.

MORE: Proposed Cubs signing sees Chicago land $61 million All-Star, former Cy Young candidate to replace injured Cade Horton

On top of that, his contract wouldn’t hurt the Cubs too much. He only has two years left on his five-year, $64.5 million deal, and the second year is a conditional player option that only activates if he pitches 170+ innings this season.

With no suitable replacement on the roster, the Cubs need to make an external move. And at the moment, this is probably the best they can do trade-wise.

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