BLOCKBUSTER: Cubs Officially Confirm Major Update on $21M Starter Trade — Fans Lose Their Minds

The Chicago Cubs’ 2025 season is off to a strong start overall, despite a major setback with the loss of ace left-hander Justin Steele for the rest of the year. Sitting at 11-7 and atop the National League Central standings, the Cubs have been playing inspired baseball. Their recent series win—taking two out of three games from the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers—reinforced the belief that this team has the tools to make a serious postseason push. But Steele’s absence casts a shadow over that optimism, as he was not only one of the Cubs’ top arms but also one of the more consistent and effective pitchers across the league.

To maintain their momentum and keep their postseason hopes alive, the Cubs will likely need to make a move to shore up their starting rotation. Without a reliable replacement for Steele, their pitching depth could become a glaring weakness as the season wears on. One proposed solution comes from Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell, who suggests that the Cubs pursue a trade for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez.

Martinez, though not a frontline starter, brings experience and versatility. A former reliever now being used exclusively in the rotation, he has had a rough start to the season with a 6.06 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings. While those numbers aren’t ideal, Martinez has shown flashes of potential in the past and could benefit from a change of scenery and coaching approach in Chicago.

Pressnell’s trade scenario would send Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara, reliever Fernando Cruz, and pitching prospect Jack Neely to the Reds in exchange for Martinez. While Cincinnati isn’t desperate to move Martinez—especially given the depth in their young rotation with players like Carson Spiers, Andrew Abbott, and soon-to-return Rhett Lowder—they may be tempted if the Cubs’ offer is strong enough. Prospects like Chase Petty are also pushing for big-league opportunities, giving the Reds flexibility to make such a deal.

Ultimately, if the Cubs want to keep pace in a competitive division and withstand the blow of losing a top-tier starter like Steele, a trade for someone like Martinez might be a necessary risk. With their current form and high aspirations, bolstering the rotation could be the key to sustaining their early-season success.