The MLB trade deadline turned out to be a major disappointment for the Chicago Cubs.
A Chicago team that was expected to be in the running for any one of the top pitchers on the market ultimately decided not to risk the future of its organization and settled for less impactful additions.
That has now come back to bite the Cubs as their trade deadline acquisitions have not yet panned out how they’d hoped.
The four players Chicago traded for and added to its major league roster were utilityman Willi Castro, starting pitcher Mike Soroka and relievers Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers. None of the four were expected to be game-changing players, but Castro was certainly expected to provide the most of any.
Since being acquired by the Cubs, each of the four have struggled in their own ways. Whether that be to the fault of their own, or misusage by manager Craig Counsell, none of them have produced like the organization hoped they would.
Soroka lasted just two innings in his first start with Chicago before being placed on the injured list due to a shoulder injury. It is unclear when Soroka is expected to return, just as it is unclear if he will make it on the postseason roster if he does return in time.
Rogers has been abysmal for Chicago, posting a 6.75 ERA across his first 11 appearances with a team. He’s allowed a run in his last three appearances, as well as three runs in two of those three appearances. Kittredge has been a bit better, but his 4.15 ERA with the Cubs is nothing to be happy about. He’s allowed multiple runs in two appearances, including a four-run blow-up outing in his second appearance.
Castro has by far been the most disappointing, and that may be to the fault of the previously mentioned Counsell. Castro is known for two things: his defensive versatility and his ability to hit left-handed pitching. He’s certainly shown the versatility, but Counsell has started him just four times against left-handed pitching. It has been a complete misusage of his talent and is a reason for his .159 average in 63 at-bats with Chicago.
Willi Castro is 9-for-60 (.150) since being acquired at the trade deadline.
— Chief Cub (@ChiefCub) September 3, 2025
If the Cubs have any plans on making a deep postseason run for the first time since 2017, they will need the players they acquired at the trade deadline to perform much better than they currently have. If not, it will be another quick exit for the team on the North side of Chicago.
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