The Rundown: Cubs Blasted in Brew City, Happ Hurt(ish), Ballesteros Up, Trade Market Stagnant

“Burn it up, let’s go for broke. Watch the night go up in smoke.” – Rock of Ages by Def Leppard

The Cubs have looked like a third-place team through two games in Brew City, and it doesn’t get any easier today. Shōta Imanaga will have to be at his best because he’s facing Freddy Peralta, and Chicago needs a win to avoid being swept. Meanwhile, the Brew Crew is having a blast and the disheveled Cubs are playing like they dropped a load in their drawers. Last night’s 9-3 loss wasn’t as close as the score indicates, and it was so bad I switched over to Netflix for my third viewing of Happy Gilmore 2.

Jed Hoyer said last week that Milwaukee isn’t going away anytime soon, but he’s done nothing to improve the team since. Sure, the market is severely constipated and nobody should be over-reactionary, but c’mon man! The Brewers are 32-15 (.681) since June 1, outpacing the Cubs by 5.5 games in that span. That said, Chicago still has the third-best record in all of baseball, so panic buying seems a little premature. Adding some reinforcements sounds like a good idea, but where to start? Milwaukee has exposed weaknesses in Chicago’s batting order, starting pitching, and its bullpen.

Sadly, that’s become an annual tradition once Chicago ventures north of the Cheddar Curtain. Chief among those weaknesses is premium power pitching. The Cubs lack it, and they struggle to attack it. They need to find their bats against Peralta this afternoon or its going to be another long day.

Cubs News & Notes

• The Cubs committed three errors in yesterday’s loss, just the second time this season that has happened. Michael Busch, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong finished 2-for-11 on the night and the quartet is quietly slashing .197/.312/.361 (.673 OPS) since the All-Star break.
• Ian Happ was removed from last night’s game, subsequently placed on the IL, and the Cubs recalled Moisés Ballesteros to take his place. Owen Caissie was not the choice, which speaks volumes, at least circumstantially. (Ed. note: The Cubs actually opted to keep Happ off the IL, instead designating Vidal Bruján for assignment to accommodate Ballesteros)
• On average, 2-3 top 100 prospects are traded every year. Caissie continues to lead the list of the best prospects expected to be dealt. He’s also the only organizational No. 1 prospect on that list.
• Recalling Ballesteros allows the Cubs to use his bat as a designated hitting option. Suzuki will replace Happ defensively until the left fielder returns.
• Count Happ and Dansby Swanson among the many players who appreciate Hoyer and are grateful his contract was extended.
• Chicago ranks 14th in the majors in starting pitching ERA, and the Cubs’ need for help is amplified by their lack of depth after Imanaga and Matthew Boyd at the top of the rotation.
• Matt Shaw continues to be the key piece/holdup in trade talks between the Cubs and Nationals for MacKenzie Gore.
• Shane Bieber might be an attractive trade candidate if the Cubs are interested.
• Marlins ace Edward Cabrera continues to be linked to the Cubs, though the cost might be prohibitive. One trade suggestion sends Cabrera and Sandy Alcántara to Chicago for Kevin Alcántara, Jaxon Wiggins, Jefferson Rojas, Ryan Gallagher, and Yahil Meléndez.
• How about this Cubs-Diamondbacks blockbuster: Alcantara, Wiggins, and James Triantos for Eugenio Suárez and Merrill Kelly. Is that something that might interest you?
• The Astros are very happy with the return they got in the Tucker trade. Though Isaac Paredes is hurt, the Houston front office believes Cam Smith is going to be a star.
• The Cubs unveiled a ceremonial jersey patch before yesterday’s game to honor Ryne Sandberg.
• The Hall of Fame second baseman was revered across baseball, White Sox and Cardinals players included.
• Shawon Dunston spoke with Sandberg before he passed and wanted to let Cubs fans know that Ryno loved us all.

Ball Four

I’d say Craig Counsell has run out of patience with Ryan Pressly.

Craig Counsell wasted no time getting the bullpen on the phone after he saw this ball hit pic.twitter.com/WoKz62ElwD

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 30, 2025

Central Intelligence

• Milwaukee: First baseman Andrew Vaughn is the new poster boy for change-of-scenery success. Vaughn hit a grand slam and had six RBI against the Cubs last night.
• Cincinnati: The Reds and Athletics match up nicely for a trade involving versatile infielder Miguel Andújar.
• St. Louis: Sonny Gray prefers to remain with the Cardinals, at least through the end of this season. The St. Louis ace has a full no-trade clause and recently met with team president John Mozeliak to state his intent to remain with the team.
• Pittsburgh: The Pirates want a top-five prospect for David Bednar, which is why the market for bullpen arms has stagnated. Bednar was optioned to Triple-A earlier this season, so that seems like a realistic expectation.

How About That!

ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes the biggest names on the trade market — Suarez, Kelly, Bieber, Bednar, Zac Gallen, Luis Robert Jr., and Ryan Helsley, among others — will all be traded with less than 12 hours remaining before the deadline. Expect a very busy Thursday. Passan also mentioned that the Padres are toying with something big. My two cents: San Diego covets Caissie and could try to send Dylan Cease and Robert Suárez to Chicago for a package that includes the outfield prospect.

The Astros are reportedly interested in a possible reunion with shortstop Carlos Correa.

Seranthony Domínguez had to switch dugouts after he was traded from the Orioles to the Blue Jays before yesterday’s game.

The Mets are interested in Robert Jr. and have discussed minor league outfielder Luisangel Acuña with the White Sox.

The latest sign of an impending Chris Sale trade: The Braves placed Ronald Acuña Jr. back on the IL with Achilles inflammation.

Rich Hill has been designated for assignment by the Royals and I’m sure the pitching-strapped Braves will be the first team to call him. He and Edwin Jackson have been major league players for 14 different organizations, and Hill has never played for Atlanta. The 45-year-old Hill will break a record if he pitches for a team he has yet to play for previously.

Benches cleared in last night’s Angels-Rangers game after Mike Trout was hit by a pitch from Texas reliever Shawn Armstrong.

Extra Innings

It appears Caissie is needed in Iowa much more than he is in Milwaukee.

Owen Caissie since June 1:

.337/.450/.717, 9 HR, 17 XBH, 15 BB%, 26 K%

Five homers in as many games. Worthy of a big league opportunity soon. Either the next man up if the Cubs have an injury, or the headline piece in a deal for an impact player. pic.twitter.com/qxQwaSS0Zu

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) July 6, 2025

They Said It

• “It’s the human level of how you’re treated, frankly. And I think [Hoyer] just treats people really well and the right way. In a work environment like this, where it’s emotional, there’s emotional conversations, to know that that’s how he’s going to operate. You can have an emotional conversation, but still feel like you’re treated the right way. I think [that’s] something that’s really important.” – Counsell
• “I made it clear that I wanted to be here [at the 2022 trade deadline], but that wasn’t – I don’t think that changed whether he was going to trade me or not. But I very much appreciate the fact that he didn’t, and that I can be here to be a part of this. I appreciate what he’s seen in me as a player from 20 years old until now.” – Happ

Wednesday Walk-Up Song

The Cubs need a statement win in Milwaukee with a two-game swing on the line.