As the MLB trade deadline draws near, the Chicago Cubs are making it clear that their priorities go beyond just bolstering their pitching staff. According to multiple reports, the Cubs’ front office is actively seeking to add an impact hitter to the roster in hopes of jumpstarting an inconsistent offense that has held the team back during key stretches of the season.
While the Cubs have shown flashes of potential in 2025, their offense has remained frustratingly average, ranking in the middle of the pack in most major statistical categories, including runs scored, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Team president Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins are reportedly determined to change that by acquiring a proven bat capable of anchoring the lineup or providing depth to the middle of the order.
Chicago has already been linked to several potential sellers around the league, with scouts reportedly keeping close tabs on both corner infielders and outfielders with power upside. The Cubs are believed to be particularly interested in adding a left-handed hitter who can complement their right-heavy batting order. With injuries and underperformance plaguing key contributors like Christopher Morel and Seiya Suzuki at different points in the season, the need for additional offensive firepower has only intensified.
“We’ve seen our guys grind, and the talent is there,” said a team source. “But we need a more consistent presence—someone who’s been in big spots and can lift the rest of the lineup when things get tough.”
One name that has surfaced in league circles is Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, though it remains unclear if the South Siders would be willing to deal their star center fielder across town. Other names floated in trade discussions include C.J. Cron, Lane Thomas, and Brent Rooker—each of whom could offer a boost in power production for a Cubs team that ranks below league average in home runs.
In addition to targeting a big bat, the Cubs are also reportedly interested in players with postseason experience. The front office is placing a premium on clubhouse leadership and late-season poise, particularly with the team hovering around the Wild Card mix in a tightly contested National League race.
One complicating factor is the Cubs’ willingness—or reluctance—to part with top prospects. The organization has taken a long-term approach in recent seasons, building one of the more respected farm systems in baseball. Hoyer has shown in the past that he’s unwilling to mortgage the future for a short-term rental unless the team is positioned for a serious October run. That likely means Chicago will focus on hitters with at least one additional year of team control, rather than pending free agents.
Cubs fans have expressed growing frustration with the team’s up-and-down offense, especially after several close losses in games that might have been won with an extra timely hit or deeper bench options. With the National League Central still within reach and the Wild Card standings fluid, the team’s leadership appears ready to act before the trade deadline window closes.
Meanwhile, manager Craig Counsell has remained optimistic. “We’ve been in a lot of games. We’re competing hard,” he said earlier this week. “If we can find a little more consistency on offense, we’ll be in a strong spot.”
Whether the Cubs can strike a deal for a significant bat remains to be seen, but their intent is no longer in question. Chicago’s trade deadline checklist has officially expanded—and adding a difference-making hitter is now just as important as reinforcing the bullpen or back end of the rotation.
