Cubs Make Key Additions to Roster with Deadline Trades
The Chicago Cubs have made two significant moves ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring reliever-turned-starter Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets. In exchange, the Cubs will send No. 2 prospect Jefferson Rojas to New York.
At 33 years old, Holmes has been sidelined since mid-May after suffering a fractured fibula in a comebacker. However, he has already completed three starts in his minor-league rehab assignment and is expected to return to the injured list soon. Prior to his injury, Holmes had been highly effective this season, boasting a 3.26 ERA and 127 ERA+ with a 3.89 FIP in 40 starts and two relief appearances.
Originally signed with the Mets as a free agent before the 2025 season, Holmes made the successful transition from bullpen work to starting pitcher. He has pitched to a 3.26 ERA and 127 ERA+ with an FIP of 3.89 across 40 starts and two relief appearances for the Mets. With his current contract, Holmes is owed the balance of a $13 million salary for the remainder of the season, and he has a $12 million player option for 2027 that he is highly likely to decline, re-entering the free agent market in the winter.
The Cubs’ rotation has been plagued by injuries all season, but the team has been bolstered by the additions of Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga, who have been staples in the rotation. David Peterson has also performed well since being acquired from the Mets, and the team has recently acquired Kevin Gausman to join the rotation. Clay Holmes and Gausman now join the rotation, alongside Boyd and Imanaga, with Colin Rea and Javier Assad serving as depth pieces who could be used in long relief. Edward Cabrera is expected to return from injury in mid-August, and Ben Brown, who was great earlier in the season before his neck injury, has started throwing.
The Cubs have also been seeking bullpen help and have traded for power arm Ryan Zeferjahn. Given their newfound abundance of starting pitchers, it’s reasonable to believe they’ll move some of them to the bullpen. Hunter Harvey and Hoby Milner will likely return soon enough, and the Cubs will still hope for a healthy return from closer Daniel Palencia.
With their eyes on the playoffs, the Cubs could have a rotation of Gausman, Holmes, Boyd, and Imanaga while Cabrera, Rea, Assad, and Brown take bullpen roles. There’s always innings for pitchers, especially in the postseason.
Tyrone Taylor, a rental and a good defender, has been on a major heater over the last several weeks. The Cubs will hope he can keep that up as a fourth outfielder, and with Ian Happ’s struggles, maybe Taylor gets time in left field as a starter.
For the Mets, the seller’s move by lead executive David Stearns comes amidst a deeply disappointing season that’s seen them tumble from contending status in each of the last two seasons to last place in the National League East. They have already shipped out Luke Weaver, A.J. Minter, and Huascar Brazoban over the deadline.
Rojas, a 21-year-old third baseman, has been hitting .270/.339/.461 with 19 doubles, 15 home runs, 57 RBI, 58 runs, and 17 steals in Double-A this season. MLB Pipeline ranked him No. 2 in the Cubs organization, praising his pitch-recognition and bat-to-ball skills.
The Implications of the Trade
The trade has significant implications for both the Cubs and the Mets. For the Cubs, the addition of Holmes and Taylor provides a much-needed boost to their rotation and outfield. For the Mets, the trade marks a significant change in direction, as they look to rebuild and retool their roster for the future.
