Cubs Urged to Make Bold Trade for Dodgers Starting Pitcher

The Chicago Cubs are entering an important offseason after being swept by the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Series.

The Cubs need to strengthen their roster if they hope to have better results in 2027. Their biggest need heading into the offseason is starting pitcher help, as their rotation is not good enough. They also have multiple pending free agent starting pitchers, like Shota Imanaga and Kevin Gausman.

Due to this, the Cubs are now being connected to a pitcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller named Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone as a "prime" trade target for the Cubs to pursue this offseason.

"Maybe they spend big in free agency and trade for a buy-low option like Gavin Stone? He missed all of 2025 to shoulder surgery and was unable to make it back to the big leagues in 2026, but he's a solid 'maybe' for a rotation spot in 2027 if traded," Miller wrote about the Cubs. "Prime Target: Los Angeles' Gavin Stone (three years of arbitration eligibility, estimated at $1.2M in 2027)."

Stone would be a fascinating pitcher for the Cubs to take a chance on with a trade. The 28-year-old last pitched at the major league level during the 2024 season with the Dodgers. During that campaign, he had an 11-5 record, a 3.53 ERA, and 116 strikeouts. With this, he has shown in the past that he can be an effective MLB starting pitcher.

Yet, Stone did not pitch during the 2025 campaign due to shoulder surgery and made just six appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. During them, he had a 0-1 record, a 5.28 ERA, and 21 strikeouts.

While Stone had some struggles this season in Triple-A, he could be an interesting pitcher for the Cubs to bring in. If he got fully healthy and bounced back in Chicago, he would be a strong addition to their rotation.