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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-why-boos-astros-fans-kyle-tucker-smile');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why boos from Astros fans made Cubs’ Kyle Tucker smile');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kyle-Tucker-1_d6e1e1.jpg"></figure><h1>Why boos from Astros fans made Cubs’ Kyle Tucker smile</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T13:24:52-07:00">June 29th, 1:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T13:24:52-07:00">June 29th, 1:24pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Kyle Tucker made his long-awaited return to Houston this weekend — and he did it in style. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cubs-kyle-tucker-receives-standing-ovation-return-houson">The former Astros star turned Cubs slugger</a> received a hero’s welcome Friday night from the Minute Maid Park crowd, many of whom wore golden crowns in tribute to his “King Tuck” nickname. But on Saturday, when he reminded everyone exactly why he once ruled the right-field seats in Houston, the cheers turned to boos — and Tucker <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-tucker-leads-cubs-victory-in-return-to-houston" rel="noopener">loved every second of it.</a></p><p>“That’s a good thing,” Tucker said with a grin after the Cubs’ 12-3 victory. “That means we’re doing our job over here.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cubs-news-mlb-world-shambles-after-astros-cubs-kyle-tucker-trade">Tucker, traded to Chicago over the offseason</a>, torched his former team with a four-hit night that included a three-run home run in the fourth inning off former teammate Lance McCullers Jr. The blast, his 17th of the season, helped spark a seven-run frame that turned a 2-1 deficit into a blowout.</p><p>“I’m happy for him to come back here and have a night like that,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. “He had a big night. That was an all-around great game.”</p><h2><b>Kyle Tucker homers in return to Houston, Cubs look for series win on Sunday</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Kyle-Tucker-2.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Tucker singled in the first inning and swiped his 20th base of the year, doubled and scored in the sixth, and came around again in the eighth after a single. He finished a triple shy of the cycle, tying career highs with four hits and four runs scored.</p><p>Beyond the numbers — a .291 average, 17 home runs, 20 steals, and more walks than strikeouts — Tucker’s all-around performance reminded Houston of what it gave up. In right field, he tracked down a deep drive in the gap for a crucial out, flashing the Gold Glove form he showed in 2022.</p><p>“He’s super athletic,” said Cubs starter Colin Rea. “Obviously, he does what he does at the plate, but I think he gets slept on as far as what he can do in the outfield.”</p><p>The seven-run inning included back-to-back homers from Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner, an RBI single from Ian Happ, and a sac fly from Pete Crow-Armstrong. It erased the momentum from Cam Smith’s homer in the third — a symbolic subplot, as Smith was one of the prospects Houston acquired in the deal for Tucker.</p><p>Still, Tucker had the final say, and the moment wasn’t lost on him.</p><p>“I played here for a good while,” he said. “The fans here are great. Just to be a part of that fan base at the time was really special.” Even if they were booing him on Saturday, King Tuck clearly hasn’t lost his crown.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why boos from Astros fans made Cubs’ Kyle Tucker smile

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-cubs-pirates-engaged-serious-trade-talks-77-million-pitcher');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Cubs, Pirates engaged in ‘serious’ trade talks for $77 million pitcher');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pirates-pitcher-Mitch-Keller-throws-the-baseball.jpg"><figcaption>© Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Cubs, Pirates engaged in ‘serious’ trade talks for $77 million pitcher</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T06:32:39-07:00">June 29th, 6:32am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T06:33:01-07:00">June 29th, 6:33am</time><address><a>Benjamin Adducchio</a>Benjamin Adducchio is a journalist and writer with more than a decade of experience in covering sports news. Ben is a passionate sports fan who loves college football, basketball, and the New York Yankees.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The MLB trade deadline is approaching, and teams are engaged in trade talks for all kinds of players. The latest trade candidate is Pittsburgh Pirates hurler Mitch Keller. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/pirates-news-mitch-keller-joins-unreal-justin-verlander-clayton-kershaw-club-with-stunning-feat">Keller is considered one of the team’s best players</a>, and the Chicago Cubs are very <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2025/06/29/milwaukee-brewers-nl-central-standings/84404488007/" rel="noopener">interested in making a deal</a> for him.</p><p>“Keller, who’s in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract, is under control through 2028, earning $15 million this year, $16.5 million in 2026, $18 million in 2027 and $20 million in 2028,” Bob Nightengale wrote for USA Today.</p><p>The hurler is part of a solid Pirates pitching rotation. He currently holds a 3.90 ERA, despite also possessing a lousy 2-10 record. The record is a poor showing of what he has done this year. Keller has allowed just 43 earned runs this season.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/brewers-news-jacob-misiorowski-new-career-high-pirates">Pirates have not been able to muster the run support</a> to help the pitcher. Chicago, meanwhile, is at the top of the National League Central and looking for more pitching. The Cubs hope to tweak their rotation, as they march toward a possible postseason berth.</p><h2><b>The Cubs, Pirates are heading in opposite directions</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pittsburgh-Pirates-shortstop-Jared-Triolo.jpg"><figcaption>Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Pirates have floundered for most of the year. Pittsburgh fired manager Derek Shelton in May, and replaced him with Don Kelly. Kelly has fought to get the ship moving in the right direction, but the club is dead last in the NL Central.</p><p>Chicago meanwhile is faring much better. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/editorials/3-sneaky-trades-cubs-must-make-boost-world-series-chances">Cubs have a two game lead in the division</a> over Milwaukee. Chicago has 49 victories this season.</p><p>The Cubbies however have had their pitching problems. Chicago <a href="https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/pitching/era?sortState=asc" rel="noopener">is just 15th</a> in Major League Baseball in team ERA, per league stats. The club is behind both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in that category, despite the fact they lead them in the NL Central.</p><p>Keller could be the right answer. He is having his best season in ERA since 2022. Keller was the ace of the team’s rotation, before Paul Skenes came along. The Pirates have also been long rumored to be giving up a pitcher before the trade deadline, in order to allow prospect Bubba Chandler to have a chance. Chandler is seen as the team’s top minor-league prospect.</p><p>Keller has pitched for the Pirates since 2019. In his career, he has a 38-60 record with a 4.51 ERA. Keller is getting close to 800 career strikeouts, as he has 764 total.</p><p>The Pirates play the New York Mets on Sunday. Chicago meanwhile takes on the Houston Astros.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Cubs, Pirates engaged in ‘serious’ trade talks for $77 million pitcher

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/3-sneaky-trades-cubs-must-make-boost-world-series-chances');   ga('set', 'title', '3 sneaky trades Cubs must make to boost World Series chances');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Baltimore-Orioles-first-baseman-Ryan-Mountcastle.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>3 sneaky trades Cubs must make to boost World Series chances</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-28T15:08:57-07:00">June 28th, 3:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-28T15:08:57-07:00">June 28th, 3:08pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs are the surprise of the 2025 Major League Baseball season so far. Craig Counsell’s team sits atop the National League Central, even if their lead is not as big as it used to be. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-pete-crow-armstrong-emerging-as-legitimate-mvp-candidate">Cubs have two MVP candidates in Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker</a> who have led one of the league’s best offenses. However, there are other spots on the roster that need some work.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-land-kyle-tucker-massive-astros-trade">Chicago brought in Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade this offseason</a>. The outfielder has led the charge alongside the breakout season from Crow-Armstrong. Despite their dominance at the plate, Counsell’s order still has a couple of weak links that could use some more consistency, especially in a playoff setting. Two of the spots that need work are starting pitcher and first base.</p><p>Counsell and Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins have made multiple trades over the past few deadlines. However, this year’s July 31 deadline has both under more pressure than ever to make the right deal. If they can pull off the right trade, Chicago might not have to wait another 109 years before their next World Series title.</p><p>The Cubs have what they need to get back to the championship series. However, the deadline will go a long way in determining just how deep a run Counsell’s team could go on.</p><p>Here are three trades that the Cubs could make to catch the league off guard before the deadline.</p><h2>Texas Rangers Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jacob-deGrom-with-Texas-Rangers-1.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Heitman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Cubs receive: SP Jacob deGrom</p><p>Rangers receive: SP Will Sanders</p><p>The Texas Rangers’ starting rotation has struggled with injuries so far in 2025. However, Jacob deGrom is one of the last starters remaining, surprising fans across the league. He is having one of the healthiest seasons of his career, and could be a key piece on a contender if he can finish the season strong. His dominance in Texas has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/texas-rangers/rangers-jacob-degrom-trade-idea-draws-mlb-network-reaction">deGrom’s name in trade rumors</a>.</p><p>deGrom has impressed Bruce Bochy and experts around the baseball world. Whether it is individual dominance or a stretch of great starts, the 12-year pro has built a convincing All-Star case. However, he has been one of the only bright spots on a Rangers team that is near the bottom of their division. As good as he is, Texas can’t rely on a 37-year-old ace so heavily.</p><p>deGrom’s exit would be a sad day for Rangers fans, but it is becoming more and more likely. His contract is one that Counsell and the Cubs could absorb easily. Since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-justin-steele-devastating-season-ending-injury-update">Chicago lost Justin Steele for the season</a>, their rotation has been short at least one dominant arm all year. deGrom could come in alongside Shota Imanaga and shut teams down in a playoff series.</p><h2>Baltimore Orioles First Baseman Ryan Mountcastle</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ryan-Mountcastle-during-Orioles-Angels-game.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Cubs receive: 1B Ryan Mountcastle</p><p>Orioles receive: INF Angel Cepeda</p><p>The Baltimore Orioles’ struggles have been well-documented all season. While it is not solely <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/baltimore-orioles/orioles-news-ryan-mountcastle-drops-promising-injury-update">Ryan Mountcastle’s fault, his hamstring injury has not helped</a>. The 28-year-old has not played since the end of May, and the Orioles are still stuck at the bottom of the American League East. A record like that has Baltimore considering all of their options, including sending Mountcastle out the door.</p><p>Ryan O’Hearn has done well in Mountcastle’s stead, so much so that Gunnar Henderson wants him to be an All-Star. Mountcastle’s numbers were not bad when he went down, but his lack of power is something to keep an eye on. He will be out until early August, making a trade for him more of an investment than an immediate upgrade.</p><p>Cousell and the Cubs can afford to wait. Michael Busch has been great, batting <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/42415/michael-busch" rel="noopener">.271 with 13 home runs</a> entering Saturday’s game against the Houston Astros. If they brought Mountcastle in, he could recover without any pressure on him by the fanbase. Once he returns, anything he gives Chicago is a plus.</p><h2>Atlanta Braves Relief Pitcher Raisel Iglesias</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Atlanta-Braves-reliever-Raisel-Iglesias.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Cubs receive: RP Raisel Iglesias</p><p>Braves receive: SP Brody McCullough</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/atlanta-braves/braves-news-why-jeff-passan-panic-over-atlanta-closer-issue">Raisel Iglesias has received a lot of criticism this season</a>. He entered the season as the Atlanta Braves’ closer, but after losing his fifth game of the season, fans were calling for his removal. Braves manager Brian Snitker replaced him with Craig Kimbrel for one game, but Iglesias was not able to put his doubters to rest.</p><p>However, the last two weeks have been good for the 35-year-old. In his last six appearances, Iglesias has not given up a single run, racking up two holds, one win and one save. Atlanta won each game, a part of the turnaround that fans were hoping for when Ronald Acuna Jr. returned.</p><p>He could come in and give Counsell another option in the bullpen. Right now, the closer role is split between Daniel Palencia and Ryan Pressly. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-kyle-tucker-receives-standing-ovation-return-houson">Pressly got a standing ovation in Houston when Chicago</a> arrived on Friday and has been good for his new team. However, having an excess of available pitchers in the bullpen is a big advantage for managers in the postseason.</p><p>The Chicago Cubs are one of the favorites to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL. With Crow-Armstrong and Tucker leading the way, Counsell has a great shot at winning a title. Making sure they make the right deals before July 31 could do a lot for the Cubs’ season as the second half kicks off.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 sneaky trades Cubs must make to boost World Series chances

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-kyle-tucker-receives-standing-ovation-return-houson');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Kyle Tucker receives standing ovation in return to Houson');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Chicago-Cubs-outfielder-Kyle-Tucker.jpg"><figcaption>Tim Vizer-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Kyle Tucker receives standing ovation in return to Houson</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-27T17:23:22-07:00">June 27th, 5:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-27T17:23:49-07:00">June 27th, 5:23pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs kicked off one of the toughest series of their season against the Houston Astros on Friday. Before the game, though, Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly were welcomed back by the Astros fanbase. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-land-kyle-tucker-massive-astros-trade">Houston traded both Tucker</a> and Pressly to the Cubs this offseason.</p><p>Both players received a <a href="https://twitter.com/Chron_MattYoung/status/1938748840380658086" rel="noopener">standing ovation</a> from Jose Altuve and the rest of their former teammates, captured by Houston Chron’s Matt Young</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly get a standing ovation from Astros fans after a pregame tribute video was played at Daikin Park. <a href="https://t.co/GN6GPoO0Yy">pic.twitter.com/GN6GPoO0Yy</a></p><p>— Matt Young (@Chron_MattYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chron_MattYoung/status/1938748840380658086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Astros moved both players instead of offering them their next Major League Baseball contracts. While the move makes sense in the long-term, Houston received backlash for letting them go. Both are part of Chicago’s excellent season that has them near the top of the league standings.</p><p>Tucker is an MVP candidate in the National League alongside rising star Pete Crow-Armstrong. Pressly has stepped into a key role in Craig Counsell’s bullpen behind Daniel Palencia. The Cubs are a few games clear of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central despite going 5-5 in their last ten games.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuves-1-ongoing-problem-with-transition-to-outfield">Altuve has had to go into the outfield to make up for Tucker’s absence</a> in Houston. However, that has not stopped the Astros from putting together another good season. They are putting a stranglehold on the American League West, putting distance between themselves and the Seattle Mariners.</p><p>Tucker has fit like a glove in Chicago since arriving in the winter. The veteran outfielder has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvYL7BceYvc" rel="noopener">spoken highly</a> of Counsell and the Cubs as a whole, saying he wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.</p><p>“I don’t think I could’ve gone to a much better organization than the Cubs,” Tucker said. “I mean, the fanbase is second to none and the teammates, front office, coaching staff, everyone that I’ve talked to and met so far have been amazing.”</p><p>Altuve and the Astros dearly miss the outfielder that helped them add another World Series title to their trophy case. If each team continues on their current trajectory, this weekend’s series will not be the only one they play this season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs’ Kyle Tucker receives standing ovation in return to Houson

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-apologizes-cubs-after-heated-moment');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cardinals’ Willson Contreras apologizes to Cubs after heated moment');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cardinals-catcher-Willson-Contreras-has-words-with-Cubs.jpg"><figcaption>Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cardinals’ Willson Contreras apologizes to Cubs after heated moment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-27T10:24:42-07:00">June 27th, 10:24am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-27T10:25:04-07:00">June 27th, 10:25am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>A four-game series amid a fairly tight divisional race was already enough to add some spark to the longstanding St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs rivalry, but a strong emotional response from someone who has played on both teams might as well have been gasoline for this National League Central conflict. Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras and Cubs relief pitcher Daniel Palencia are doing their part to extinguish the flames, however.</p><p>Contreras, a three-time All-Star who spent seven seasons as Chicago’s catcher before signing an $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in 2022, took issue with a high 101 MPH Palencia fastball that hit him in the hand in the bottom of the ninth inning. He had some words for his fellow Venezuelan, and the right-hander eventually reciprocated after striking out the side to clinch the 3-0 Cubbies victory.</p><p>Palencia pounded his chest and turned his attention to Contreras, prompting the 33-year-old <a href="https://x.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938344142377005207" rel="noopener">to get hot once again</a>. Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp held him back, and disaster was ultimately averted. Cubs manager Craig Counsell commented on the situation, and in the process, <a href="https://x.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938346911741714532" rel="noopener">displayed some subtle savagery</a>.”I didn’t see it, I was giving high-fives,” he told reporters after the win, per Marquee Sports Network.</p><p>The two countrymen at the center of the incident each <a href="https://x.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938354687578722490" rel="noopener">expressed regret for how things unfolded</a> in Busch Stadium.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Daniel Palencia and Willson Contreras exchange words after the final out, leading to the benches clearing. <a href="https://t.co/vI6BIoNZwD">pic.twitter.com/vI6BIoNZwD</a></p><p>— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) <a href="https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938344142377005207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I didn't see it, I was giving high-fives."</p><p>Craig Counsell on the exchange between Daniel Palencia and Willson Contreras. <a href="https://t.co/bO9j69xBcP">pic.twitter.com/bO9j69xBcP</a></p><p>— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) <a href="https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938346911741714532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Cardinals’ Willson Contreras and Cubs’ Daniel Palencia share their perspectives<br></b></h2><p>“My reaction was bad,” Contreras said, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I apologize to the Chicago Cubs for the way I reacted… I don’t want to fight them.” He attributed the fiery reaction to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-freak-injury-crazy-aj-pierzynski-take">the forearm fracture</a> he suffered last year. The 2016 World Series champion obviously does not want to endure another lengthy stint on the injured list. Furthermore, most hitters get animated when a fastball comes blazing toward their upper body.</p><p>Everyone knows the risks, and it seemed clear that Palencia did not intend to hit Contreras, but pitchers are expected to exercise reasonable command of the strike zone when throwing at such a blistering velocity. When a batter’s livelihood comes into question, tempers are naturally going to rise. Non-Cardinals fans will argue that Willson Contreras is one of the more volatile guys in the league, but this issue is bigger than one incident.</p><p>Nevertheless, this is a former Cubs slugger who left the Windy City <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cardinals-news-willson-contreras-cubs">on icy terms</a>. People are going to feel a certain way when he is involved in a heated exchange. Daniel Palencia <a href="https://x.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938350955231101219" rel="noopener">does not wish to engender any additional animosity</a>, however, nor does he want to start a feud with a man he grew up watching on television.</p><p>“I was pretty hype … I don’t want to hit that guy,” the 25-year-old told reporters, via Marquee Sports Network. “I’ve been watching that guy since I was a kid. I feel proud of him for what he’s doing for the game. Like I said, the moment was intense, close game. I think it was just that.”</p><p>It sounds as if both sides have cooled off and are ready to move forward, but fans will be on high alert when the Cardinals (44-38) and Cubs (48-33) collide again next week. Wrigley Field will surely have much to say following Thursday’s altercation.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cardinals’ Willson Contreras apologizes to Cubs after heated moment

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-ian-happs-big-trade-mic-drop-shota-imanaga-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ian Happ’s ‘big trade’ mic drop on Cubs’ Shota Imanaga injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ian-Happ-Before-a-game-vs-Giants.jpg"><figcaption>© Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Ian Happ’s ‘big trade’ mic drop on Cubs’ Shota Imanaga injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-27T08:04:39-07:00">June 27th, 8:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-27T08:04:39-07:00">June 27th, 8:04am</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/colinloughran">Colin Loughran</a>Colin Loughran is a NYC-based Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He has spent several years covering sports and has worked for outlets such as the New York Post, AP Radio, and FanSided. Colin is also a three-time NYSBA award winner and a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-rumors-yankees-dodgers-cubs-could-fight-over-trade-deadline-prize">Chicago Cubs have been one of baseball’s most pleasant surprises</a> this season, and outfielder Ian Happ recently <a href="https://x.com/WatchMarquee/status/1938364149899448342" rel="noopener">described a new development</a> as one that could pay major dividends down the road.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cubs-shota-imanagas-injury-return-results-pitcher-dfa">Cubs starter Shota Imanaga recently returned</a> from a strained left hamstring that had kept him out since May 4. There was real anticipation from teammates even before the ace officially made it to the bump.</p><p>“It’s almost like having a big trade in the middle of the season,” Happ said on The “Compound Podcast.</p><p>Imnanaga pitched five scoreless innings against the rival St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday and helped Chicago cement a 3-0 victory. The 31-year-old tossed three strikeouts and <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45590966/cubs-activate-p-imanaga-il-designate-p-fulmer-assignment" rel="noopener">only allowed one hit.</a></p><p>“He did a really good job for us,” catcher Carson Kelly told reporters after the game. “He came in and established his heater and his splitter, and what he does really, really good is tunnel the two and get in some good counts.”</p><p>The lefty threw his splitter 30 percent of the time on Thursday night. He induced three whiffs, one called strike, and five balls in play <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=6/26/2025&amp;gamePk=777348&amp;chartType=pitch&amp;legendType=pitchName&amp;playerType=pitcher&amp;inning=&amp;count=&amp;pitchHand=&amp;batSide=&amp;descFilter=&amp;ptFilter=&amp;resultFilter=&amp;hf=playerBreakdown&amp;sportId=1&amp;liveAb=#777348" rel="noopener">with the pitch.</a></p><p>Imanaga’s presence is a welcome sight. Across 29 starts in 2024, he earned 15 wins and a 2.91 ERA. Prior to the injury, he had posted a 2.82 ERA through his first eight starts and looked surefire All-Star.</p><p>“He controlled the environment. It looked like he’d been out there for every single start,” Cubs Counsell said of Imanaga after . “[There’s] a tendency to get overamped in a start like that. I thought he controlled his effort level really well, his energy level really well, and that caused a lot of good execution.”</p><p>The Cubs are currently first in the National League. Factors such as the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker’s torrid start have energized Chicago’s lineup. If Imanaga can lead the rotation down the stretch, the Cubs could be a threat to make an October run.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ian Happ’s ‘big trade’ mic drop on Cubs’ Shota Imanaga injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-shota-imanagas-injury-return-results-pitcher-dfa');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Shota Imanaga’s injury return results in pitcher DFA');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Chicago-Cubs-starting-pitcher-Shota-Imanaga-1.jpg"><figcaption>Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Shota Imanaga’s injury return results in pitcher DFA</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-26T12:44:50-07:00">June 26th, 12:44pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-26T12:45:07-07:00">June 26th, 12:45pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Shota Imanaga has not pitched for the Chicago Cubs since May 4. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cubs-shota-imanaga-hamstring-injury-latest-blow-to-rotation">Craig Counsell’s ace strained his hamstring against the Milwaukee Brewers</a> while making a play at first base. After almost two months spent on the injured list, the Cubs activated Imanaga on Thursday. He took the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday in their series finale.</p><p>In order to make space for Imanaga on the roster, the Cubs needed to move at least one player. Counsell and the organization did so by designating Michael Fulmer for <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45590966/cubs-activate-p-imanaga-il-designate-p-fulmer-assignment" rel="noopener">assignment in the minor leagues</a>, according to the Associated Press. Chicago picked Fulmer up in mid-June and the 32-year-old pitched three innings across two appearances.</p><p>The former Rookie of the Year winner has struggled since 2020, bouncing around the league over the last five seasons. After an underwhelming performance in Chicago, he is back in the minor leagues.</p><p>Imanaga, on the other hand, is back against the Cardinals in the major leagues. Counsell has done a good job of keeping his team afloat without his best starting pitcher. With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-justin-steele-devastating-season-ending-injury-update">Justin Steele’s Cubs season cut short</a>, their outlook was dim. Despite that, Chicago remains at the top of the National League Central by a few games.</p><p>Imanaga could play a big role in holding off the Cardinals and the rest of the contenders in the Cubs’ division. Chicago is still looking for a pitcher as the trade deadline inches closer, but getting their ace back is a big boost. Imanaga and Matthew Boyd are one of the more formidable one-two punches on the mound when they are healthy.</p><p>Counsell and the Cubs have a long way to go before they can guarantee themselves a playoff spot. Without Steele available, their rotation still has a lot of questions to answer. However, the team has plenty of reasons to be optimistic, even after sending Fulmer to the minor leagues.</p><p>St. Louis fans were not happy to see Imanaga take the mound on Thursday. Unfortunately for them, he will be a big obstacle for any team looking to unseat Chicago at the top of the NL Central.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs’ Shota Imanaga’s injury return results in pitcher DFA

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/mlb-rumors-cubs-pirates-trade-deadline-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Cubs linked to 2 Pirates for trade deadline talks');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Craig-Counsell-before-Dodgers-Cubs-game.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Cubs linked to 2 Pirates for trade deadline talks</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-25T10:59:29-07:00">June 25th, 10:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T10:59:29-07:00">June 25th, 10:59am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs continue to lead the National League Central. Chicago holds a 46-33 record as of this story’s writing, which is good for a 2.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals in the division. With the Cardinals and Brewers closing in, though, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-rumors-yankees-dodgers-cubs-could-fight-over-trade-deadline-prize">Cubs will likely attempt to bolster their roster</a> ahead of the MLB trade deadline.</p><p>Chicago will be an intriguing team to monitor in July. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cubs-trade-proposal-for-alex-bregman-if-red-sox-continue-selling">Cubs may try to acquire a star player</a>, but adding depth will also appeal to them. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Chicago “<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2025/06/25/mlb-trade-deadline-2025-rumors-best-players-top-targets/84345919007/" rel="noopener">would love</a>” to acquire starting pitcher Mitch Keller and reliever David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates.</p><p>Keller, 29, was an All-Star in 2023. He’s pitched to a 4.02 ERA across 16 games pitched in 2025. The right-handed hurler features the potential of a star. At the very least, he is someone who can offer depth in the back of a team’s starting rotation.</p><p>Bednar, a 30-year-old reliever, is a two-time All-Star. He emerged as one of the best closers in the league during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Bednar has bounced back in 2025 following a disappointing 2024 campaign. He currently has a 2.93 ERA and 11 saves.</p><p>Bednar has one year of arbitration remaining before entering free agency. Trading him now would allow the Pirates to capitalize on his current value in addition to the extra year remaining.</p><p>Keller probably isn’t as likely to be traded since he’s under team control through 2028. However, teams — possibly such as the Cubs — may be willing to give the Pirates extra prospect capital given Keller’s potential and contract status.</p><p>Chicago is seemingly interested in acquiring both pitchers. They may at least attempt to trade for one of the hurlers. One has to imagine that many other contenders will inquire about the possibility of trading for Keller and/or Bednar, though, so the Cubs will deal with legitimate competition in their potential trade talks with the Pirates.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Cubs linked to 2 Pirates for trade deadline talks

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/mlb-stories/mlb-rumors-yankees-dodgers-cubs-could-fight-over-trade-deadline-prize');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs could fight over trade deadline ‘prize’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sandy-Alcantara.jpg"><figcaption>Rhona Wise-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs could fight over trade deadline ‘prize’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-25T08:37:44-07:00">June 25th, 8:37am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T08:37:44-07:00">June 25th, 8:37am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As MLB teams are still trying to make improvements to their roster with trades, there are certain players who stick out more than others. In this case, it’s Sandy Alcantara, who seems to be on the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/marlins-news-miami-manager-refuses-to-give-up-on-sandy-alcantara-despite-struggles">trading block for the Miami Marlins</a>. That means several teams could be looking to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2025/06/25/mlb-trade-deadline-2025-rumors-best-players-top-targets/84345919007/" rel="noopener">add him to their team</a>, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.</p><p>“This was the finest pitcher in baseball in 2022, unanimously winning the Cy Young award. Now, after recovering from Tommy John surgery, he is slowly regaining his form,” Nightengale wrote. “He is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA in four starts this month, and the beauty of Alcantara is that he’s still under contract through the 2027 season. The price tag will be high, and if no one is willing to meet it, the Marlins will simply hold onto him until this winter.”</p><p>One of the first teams that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cubs-perfect-trade-offer-marlins-sandy-alcantara">could have an interest in Alcantara</a> is the Chicago Cubs, who have been leading the division for some time now and are looking to stay strong.</p><p>“They are scouring the market for a starter, keeping a close eye on Alcantara (2 ½ years remaining on his 5-year, $56 million contract), Keller (3 ½ years remaining on his 5-year, $70 million deal) and Luis Severino of the Athletics (2 ½ years remaining on his 3-year, $67 million contract),” Nightengale wrote.</p><h2><b>Sandy Alcantara is a hot commodity on the trade market</b></h2><p>The New York Yankees, who are looking for a third baseman or a second baseman, could also be in the running for Alcantara, and it seems like he may be at the top of their list.</p><p>“Their ultimate prize could be Alcantara, giving them a powerful rotation, particularly when Gerrit Cole returns next year,” Nightengale continued.</p><p>Last, but not least, the Los Angeles Dodgers are always finding a way to grab talent, no matter how good they are.</p><p>“They want another starter, and yes, Alcantara is the man they want. The Dodgers are always looking for bullpen help and would like another late-inning reliever like Rays closer Pete Fairbanks,” Nightengale continued.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs could fight over trade deadline ‘prize’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-rumors-ken-rosenthal-kyle-tucker-trade-deadline');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ken Rosenthal hits Cubs with Kyle Tucker trade deadline warning');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Kyle-Tucker-ii.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Ken Rosenthal hits Cubs with Kyle Tucker trade deadline warning</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-25T07:55:58-07:00">June 25th, 7:55am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T07:57:05-07:00">June 25th, 7:57am</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-rumors-ken-rosenthal-kyle-tucker-future">faced with a dilemma involving Kyle Tucker</a>. They could seek to extend his contract or trade him before the July 31 deadline.</p><p>Tucker is slated to become a free agent after this season.</p><p>The Cubs are currently 46-33 and in 1st place in the National League Central Division. Tucker is batting .288 with 84 hits, 15 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases.</p><p>Nevertheless, the Cubs have to make a decision. But there is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6449778/2025/06/25/chicago-cubs-trade-deadline-free-agency-tucker/" rel="noopener">more at play</a> here than just retaining Tucker, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.</p><p>He warns the Cubs that they could lose additional talent to free agency by next year.</p><p>“The sense of urgency for the Chicago Cubs does not simply stem from the prospect of right fielder Kyle Tucker leaving after one year,” he said. “The Cubs could lose five more important players to the open market after 2026, making an aggressive push at this year’s trade deadline all the more imperative.”</p><p>Rosenthal says the Cubs are likely to keep some of their top players. But Tucker and a handful of others are likely to be gone.</p><p>“The potential members of the free-agent class of 2026-27 are left fielder Ian Happ, designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, second baseman Nico Hoerner, right-hander Jameson Taillon and left-hander Matt Boyd,” he said. “That group, combined with Tucker, accounted for 37 percent of the team’s fWAR entering Tuesday. And while the Cubs might retain some of those players, they are unlikely to keep all of them, Tucker in particular.”</p><p>In addition to Tucker, the Cubs are getting plenty out of catcher <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-pete-crow-armstrong-playing-level-never-seen-craig-counsell">Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s having a sensational season</a>. He’s batting .273 with 83 hits, 21 home runs, 61 RBI’s, and 24 stolen bases.</p><p>Already, there are talks of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-pete-crow-armstrong-emerging-as-legitimate-mvp-candidate">PCA being a strong candidate for MVP</a>. He signed a one year deal with the Cubs this season and they are looking to retain his services.</p><h2><b>The Cubs do have priorities to sort out</b></h2><p>According to Rosenthal, even if he stays and Tucker goes, the Cubs could still have a solid lineup. However, the Ricketts family and existential circumstances ahead could derail their chances of keeping players.</p><p>“Their situation is not now or never, not with the emergence of center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong giving the 2026 roster a formidable look even if Tucker departs. But ownership’s reluctance to sign players long-term, coupled with the possibility of a work stoppage in 2027, adds to the perception of a shrinking window. Or, to use a more dire analogy, walls closing in.”</p><p>In addition, the Cubs have to look fill in the gaps when it comes to pitching. They lost left hander <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-justin-steele-message-season-ending-injury">Justin Steele for the season</a> due to an elbow injury.</p><p>Also they lost right hander Javier Assad due to a strained left oblique. To Rosenthal, the Cubs need to find a pitcher with postseason caliber.</p><p>While their choices maybe limited, they do have options.</p><p>“That type of pitcher almost certainly will be in scant supply at the deadline,” Rosenthal said. “But the Cubs, according to sources briefed on their plans, already are canvassing the market, making inquiries on Miami Marlins right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, among many others.”</p><p>“Alcantara, owed the balance of his $17 million salary this season and $17 million next season with a $21 million club option for 2027, would require a significant payroll boost. Cabrera, earning $1.95 million with three more years of arbitration remaining, would be a better financial fit – no small consideration for a team that reduced its Opening Day payroll from $214 million in 2024 to $191 million in ’25. But the additional club control would make the cost in prospects perhaps even higher.”</p><p>The Cubs could also look at signing possible free agents Zac Gallen from Arizona and Zach Eflin from Baltimore.</p><h2><b>The Cubs need to look towards the Future</b></h2><p>More than anything, Rosenthal contends that the Cubs can’t waste anytime and they need to get it together.</p><p>“But this is not a time for the team to go halfway,” Rosenthal said. “Not if owner Tom Ricketts is serious about winning a World Series in one of the next two years.”</p><p>The Cubs last won the World Series in 2016, ending a 108 year drought. The last time the Cubs made the playoffs was 2020 when the lost in the NL Wild Card series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ken Rosenthal hits Cubs with Kyle Tucker trade deadline warning

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-demotes-starter-make-room-injury-return');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs demote struggling starter to make room for injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ben-Brown-with-Chicago-Cubs.jpg"><figcaption>Joe Puetz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs demote struggling starter to make room for injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-24T14:10:01-07:00">June 24th, 2:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-25T12:45:52-07:00">June 25th, 12:45pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs lost 8-2 to the St Louis Cardinals on Monday, marking their fourth loss in five games. Despite their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-rumors-pitcher-trade-could-happen-next-week">first-place standing in the NL Central, Monday’s loss</a> was concerning. Chicago saw Ben Brown allow eight runs in five innings, nuking their opportunity to win. On Tuesday, the Cubs demoted Brown and reinstated Porter Hodge from the injured list, <a href="https://x.com/Taylor_McGregor/status/1937609449524670970" rel="noopener">according to</a> Taylor McGregor of Maruqee Sports Network.</p><p>“Cubs optioned Ben Brown to Triple-A Iowa. Porter Hodge reinstated from 15-day IL,” McGregor reported.</p><p>Hodge was a star for the Cubs last season in 39 relief appearances. He posted a 1.88 ERA in 43 innings, striking out 52 batters. Along with Ryan Pressly, he should be an important piece of a solid Chicago bullpen. But his first 21 appearances this season were not as strong, with a 5.12 ERA in 19.1 innings.</p><p>Brown is another success story from 2024 that has struggled this year. In eight starts and seven relief appearances, he had a .358 ERA. In 14 starts and two relief appearances this year, he has a 6.13 ERA. That includes allowing six or more runs five times this season, ending on Monday.</p><p>The Cubs have struggled with their starting pitching this season, mostly due to injuries. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cubs-news-justin-steele-message-season-ending-injury">Justin Steele is out for the season</a> with an elbow injury, and Shota Imanaga has not pitched since May 4 with a hamstring injury. They are likely going to add a starter at the deadline, but Brown’s struggles have highlighted the need for it.</p><p>The Cubs made one of the most significant trades of the offseason, picking up Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros. He is a free agent at the end of the year, so Chicago has to go all-in when they have the opportunity. Getting a pitcher at the deadline would be an all-in move, and Brown’s demotion shows their urgency to win now.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs demote struggling starter to make room for injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-trade-proposal-for-alex-bregman-if-red-sox-continue-selling');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ trade proposal for Alex Bregman if Red Sox continue selling');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Cubs-trade-proposal-for-Alex-Bregman-if-Red-Sox-continue-selling.jpg"></figure><h1>Cubs’ trade proposal for Alex Bregman if Red Sox continue selling</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-24T13:10:37-07:00">June 24th, 1:10pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-24T13:10:37-07:00">June 24th, 1:10pm</time><address><a>Bailey Bassett</a>Bailey Bassett is a sports writer from Denver, Colorado, covering major sports events and athlete backgrounds at ClutchPoints. He has experience covering and writing on high school, collegiate, and professional sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Red Sox</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>ESPN listed Alex Bregman as the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/2025-mlb-trade-deadline-ranking-10-best-players-potentially-available"> best player on the trading block ahead of MLB’s trade deadline</a>. Although Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45568636/ranking-mlb-trade-deadline-candidates-alex-bregman-jarren-duran" rel="noopener">give it</a> just a 10% chance that he is actually moved, a Bregman deal can’t be ruled out because <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/rafael-devers-trade-grades-giants-red-sox">Boston already traded Rafael Devers</a>.</p><p>The Red Sox don’t look like typical <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/2025-mlb-trade-deadline-which-teams-will-be-buyers-sellers-stand-pat">trade deadline sellers</a>, but they’ve been involved in tons of trade rumors, even <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-rumors-2-stars-espn-top-trade-candidates">involving star outfield Jarren Duran</a>, and Bregman could be the next star dealt in theory. If the Red Sox shock the world again and decide to move Bregman, then the Chicago Cubs could be a realistic trading partner.</p><h2><b>Cubs’ trade proposal for Alex Bregman</b></h2><p><b>Cubs receive:</b> Alex Bregman</p><p><b>Red Sox receive:</b> Matt Shaw, Jefferson Rojas (Cubs No. 5)</p><p>The Cubs have arguably the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/top-10-mlb-farm-systems-ahead-of-2025-season">best farm system in baseball</a>, so if Bregman becomes available, they have more bidding power than any other team to acquire him. Chicago came into the year with seven Top 100 prospects, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects" rel="noopener">according to</a> MLB.com. Despite the surplus of talent in the minor leagues, the Cubs are 46-32 and atop the National League Central standings.</p><p>They are ready to win now and should be trade-deadline buyers. Additionally, a lot of their top youngsters either just graduated from their prospect status or are ready to make an impact at the major-league level soon. The team doesn’t have innings for all of these prospects, though, so making a consolidation trade for a star makes sense.</p><p>Matt Shaw and Cade Horton are already in the major leagues, and Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros, and Kevin Alcantara are dominating AAA. Jefferson Rojas and James Triantos are their star prospects in the lower levels of the minor leagues.</p><p>A trade for Bregman only really makes sense for the Cubs if it involves Shaw. The third basemen came into the season as one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/25-best-mlb-prospects-ahead-of-2025-season">top prospects in baseball</a>, but he has since taken over full time at the hot corner for the Cubs.</p><p>Shaw has loads of potential, but he has struggled early. The 2023 first-round pick is only batting .219 with two home runs through 160 at-bats.</p><p>Bregman, meanwhile, is having one of the best offensive seasons of his career. The two-time champion and former Gold Glove/Silver Slugger winner is batting .299 and has a slugging percentage of .553. He is currently out with a quad injury, but he’d provide a massive boost to Chicago’s lineup if they were to trade for him.</p><h2><b>Would the Red Sox trade Alex Bregman?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Red-Sox-third-baseman-Alex-Bregman.jpg"><figcaption>Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Red Sox invested heavily into Bregman when they gave him a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/grading-alex-bregmans-120-million-contract-with-red-sox">three-year, $120 million deal</a>. It is way too early to give up on him in Boston, especially since he has thrived as a member of the Red Sox. While this deal would bring in a new third basemen in Shaw, it would still be a tough pill to swallow to trade another star third basemen not long after dealing Devers.</p><p>Duran is a much more likely trade target for opposing teams interested in Boston’s players. However, it might be more likely that the Red Sox will become buyers by the trade deadline. They dealt Devers because he had an issue with his position change, not because they were looking to blow things up.</p><p>The Red Sox are only 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The American League East is stacked, but Boston should make a push to the playoffs, not a trade that would further hurt their chances at postseason ball this season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs’ trade proposal for Alex Bregman if Red Sox continue selling

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	HOLDS	SAVES
35	3.857	13	1.0286	2	0

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	HOLDS	SAVES
35	3.857	13	1.0286	2	0

Brad
Keller

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Brad Keller

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• Ken Rosenthal hits Cubs with Kyle Tucker trade deadline warning

• Cubs demote struggling starter to make room for injury return

• Cubs’ trade proposal for Alex Bregman if Red Sox continue selling

Brad
Keller