Cubs fall to White Sox 6-3 on July 25 despite homers from Suzuki & Crow-Armstrong. As the trade deadline looms, will the front office make the key moves?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's never fun losing to the team from the South Side. A 6-3 defeat at the hands of the White Sox on Friday night, dropping the Cubs to 60-43 and a game back in the division, is a bitter pill to swallow. But as the dust settles on the Crosstown opener, the real story isn't about one loss. It's about the next five days. With the trade deadline looming, the Cubs' front office is preparing to go all-in, signaling a clear intent to turn this very good team into a World Series favorite.
With a league-best +121 run differential, the Cubs have proven they are an elite team. Now, it's about acquiring the final pieces for an October run.
The game itself was a frustrating affair. White Sox rookie Kyle Teel was a one-man wrecking crew, collecting four hits and breaking a 2-2 tie with a decisive two-run double in the sixth. Starter Jordan Wicks battled but couldn't escape the big inning, finishing with four earned runs over 5.2 innings. The offense showed flashes of its usual power, with Seiya Suzuki launching his 26th homer and Pete Crow-Armstrong adding his 27th, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit as the bullpen surrendered two insurance runs late.
This is where the real excitement lies. Reports indicate Jed Hoyer and the front office are targeting major upgrades, specifically a frontline starting pitcher and an impact bat at third base. While rookie Matt Shaw has been serviceable, the team is clearly looking for a more established presence. This aggressive 'buyer' mentality is backed by the team's elite performance; they rank in the top five in most offensive categories and boast the best run differential in all of baseball. This isn't a team hoping to contend; this is a team looking to dominate.
How do you acquire top-tier talent? By leveraging one of the deepest farm systems in the game. Despite already trading a top prospect to acquire Kyle Tucker, the Cubs still have an MLB-best seven prospects on the Top 100 list. According to a new midseason ranking, the system is in a healthy transition, providing both immediate support and, more importantly, high-value trade chips. Fans should be prepared to say goodbye to some familiar names in the minors, but that's the price of a championship push.
So, while the 6-3 loss stings, it's merely a footnote in a much larger story. The focus now shifts entirely to the front office. The next few days will define the ceiling for this 2025 Cubs team. Will they land the ace? Will they find their third baseman? One loss to the White Sox won't derail this season, but the moves Jed Hoyer makes—or doesn't make—certainly could. Buckle up, Cubs fans. The deadline is coming.
