The Cubs bolstered their 2025 playoff hopes at the July 31 trade deadline, adding Willi Castro & Michael Soroka while keeping Moisés Ballesteros. See how!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
As the dust settles on a frantic MLB Trade Deadline, the Chicago Cubs emerge looking stronger, deeper, and perfectly positioned for a run at the postseason. The front office made a clear statement on July 31st: they are all in on 2025, but not at the expense of a bright future, making the move they *didn't* make—trading Moisés Ballesteros—just as important as the ones they did.
The most valuable player on Thursday might have been the one who didn't change uniforms: top prospect Moisés Ballesteros, whom the Cubs refused to include in any trade talks.
The North Siders got busy, addressing key needs with surgical precision. The biggest splash was acquiring versatile switch-hitter Willi Castro from the Twins. Castro provides a significant upgrade against left-handed pitching (.837 OPS) and can plug into multiple spots in the infield and outfield. He joins a pitching staff newly bolstered by right-hander Michael Soroka from the Nationals and veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge from the Orioles. These moves provide much-needed depth for both the rotation and the bullpen as the grueling season heads into its final stretch.
While the new faces are exciting, the biggest vote of confidence was in a familiar one. The Cubs reportedly drew a hard line in negotiations, refusing to include catcher/first baseman Moisés Ballesteros in any deal. Fresh off a game-changing, bases-clearing double against the Brewers, the 21-year-old phenom showed exactly why the front office values him so highly. By holding onto Ballesteros, along with other top prospects like Owen Caissie and Jefferson Rojas, the Cubs ensured their competitive window will remain open for years to come.
The deadline buzz comes on the heels of a crucial 10-3 thrashing of the Brewers on Wednesday night. The win, which prevented a sweep, was a total team effort. Michael Busch set the tone with a leadoff homer, Pete Crow-Armstrong sizzled with a 3-for-4 night including two doubles, and Kyle Tucker drove in a pair of runs. Shota Imanaga was sharp, striking out eight over five innings to earn his eighth win. The offensive outburst, capped by an Ian Happ homer, provides a jolt of momentum as the team heads into a much-needed day off.
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the mission is clear. The Cubs have their roster, a blend of veteran savvy, exciting youth, and now, crucial reinforcements. After a day off to welcome the new additions, they'll kick off a weekend series against Baltimore at Wrigley Field. This isn't just a team anymore; it's a statement. The Cubs are built to win now, and the final two months of the season just got a whole lot more interesting.
