\u201cYou use the experience, and the experience gives you a more well-rounded perspective of how these things go down,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cAnd situationally, buyers and sellers and what do rentals get and things like that, and how are people motivated, relationships with decision makers and understanding them, mistakes, success \u2014 that sharpens your instincts. So that\u2019s the value of experience for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cubs have one of the most talented position-player groups in franchise history. Since 1901, only four Cubs teams \u2014 1931 (89.2), 2025 (82.8), 1930 (73.2) and 1937 (73.0) \u2014 have finished higher than their current 58.1 in the Offense metric, which weighs total ballpark-adjusted value at the plate and on the bases.<\/p>\n
The organization should try to capitalize on one of the most dangerous offenses in the game by supplementing the pitching.<\/p>\n
The rotation showed during a 5-2 trip to Pittsburgh and St. Louis what it can do at its best. Over the last three weeks, Cubs starters have combined for a 2.88 ERA in 21 games. A good chunk of those runs came against Jameson Taillon, who was designated for assignment Monday<\/a>; remove his two outings and the rotation has a 1.30 ERA in that span.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a lot of talent in our rotation, and guys continue to build off of good performances to grow and adapt from what we do in a positive way,\u201d Matthew Boyd said after throwing seven shutout innings Wednesday. \u201cIt\u2019s been fun to watch all those guys. We have a very good rotation with the guys that are in here. If guys are added, it\u2019s always welcome. It\u2019s going to make us better.\u201d<\/p>\n The last two games of the Cardinals series also reiterated the need for relief help before the deadline.<\/p>\n Injuries have limited Counsell\u2019s options in high-leverage spots the last couple of months. The Cubs have had relievers emerge in those opportunities, namely Gavin Hollowell, Tyler Ferguson and Trent Thornton to varying degrees. But that has come with uncertainty given performance trends.<\/p>\n Thornton had a 2.51 ERA entering his 10th-inning appearance Wednesday but has an 11% strikeout rate this season \u2014 down 6% from last year and 15% from 2024. The reliance on balls in play for success played out in the wrong direction Wednesday when Thornton couldn\u2019t close out the Cubs\u2019 two-run lead in a 3-2 walk-off loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s something we\u2019ve looked at, and obviously it\u2019s a significant drop \u2014 he\u2019s been effective, but it\u2019s a significant drop,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cAnd a strikeout helps, you know what I mean? That\u2019s where the ground ball (Wednesday) night up the middle to start the inning \u2014 it\u2019s a good pitch, it\u2019s the result you want \u2014 but sometimes when the ball\u2019s in play, that\u2019s what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Cubs](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/CTC-L-CUBS_c5e389.jpg\")
Cubs reliever Aaron Civale pitches during the 10th inning against the Cardinals on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo\/Scott Kane)<\/p>\n