MLB Insider Jon Heyman Addresses Starting Pitching Market, Who Cubs Should Target

MLB Insider Jon Heyman Addresses Starting Pitching Market, Who Cubs Should Target originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs will likely be one of the most active teams at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, as they sit tied with the Milwaukee Brewers on top of the National League Central, despite also being tied with the Brewers for the best record in the NL.

The Cubs' main need at the deadline is starting pitching. Chicago has pitchers who've performed like aces in 2025 in Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga, but after that, it's been a mix of inconsistency.

Young pitcher Cade Horton and developing veteran Colin Rea have had their moments to shine this season, but haven't been very consistent, and neither one has postseason experience.

MLB Network Insider and New York Post columnist Jon Heyman joined 670 The Score Monday morning to discuss the starting pitching market and who the Cubs should target.

.@JonHeyman believes Adrian Houser would be a solid addition for the Cubs or any contender.

"I'd rather take a hot pitcher that doesn't have a great track record over (Sandy) Alcantara," Heyman says.

Heyman also really likes Seth Lugo, but his player opt-out adds a wrinkle. pic.twitter.com/OMFuYCL7xj

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 21, 2025

"On the market, I'm going to consider McKenzie Gore on the market because they're willing to listen. And he's clearly the best, in my opinion - left-hander, ton of strikeouts. You know, they're listening," Heyman said. "I mean, is it likely they trade him? No, but they are listening. After that, it's, you know, a lot of mid rotation guys. There's really not a ton of great guys."

Gore holds a 3.59 ERA in 20 games started across 112.2 innings pitched this year and has collected 140 strikeouts. The Washington Nationals starter earned a trip to the All-Star game with his performance in 2025 so far.

With Gore being the top pitcher on the market, the price will be high. Heyman then mentioned a few other names and some teams that may not be ready to shop their starters. He mentioned one under-the-radar starter he would take over Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who's been the talk of many trade conversations.

"The Red Sox are not a seller at this point. So count those guys out. You know, Giolito, who you guys are familiar with, and the rest of them. You know, people like Charlie Morton, but I mean, he's not having a great year." Heyman said. "You know, I think Kansas City is pretty committed to being a buyer so they don't really have anybody. I do like Adrian Houser. I mean, I'd rather take a hot pitcher that doesn't have a great track record over Alcantara."

Houser has been lights out in 2025, but started the season late due to injury. The Chicago White Sox starter only has 10 starts on the season, but holds a 1.89 ERA across 62 innings pitched, and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start all season.

Kansas City Royals' starter Seth Lugo also came up in the conversation, but Heyman didn't think a Lugo trade was very likely. The Royals are still in the playoff hunt, and Lugo has an opt-out after this season

"He's got an opt out. I think the issue with him is people are a little afraid of the opt-out, because if he does get hurt, he opts-in. That opt out only defect things a little bit and I do think Kansas City is pretty committed to giving it a shot here and trying to win," Heyman said. "So, I don't think his value is high because of that opt-out, so I don't think he'll be traded. But, yeah, if you consider him on the market, yeah, he would be not my number two to Gore."

The Cubs are bound to make a big move at the deadline to fortify their starting pitching for the second half of the season and the postseason, but who it will be is the mystery. Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller has been thrown around as well as Arizona Diamondbacks' starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.

Now, Heyman has tossed Gore and Houser into the picture along with quite a few other names that don't qualify as stars. The trade deadline is now 10 days away, and moves should start to be made soon.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.