{"id":677730,"date":"2026-04-17T15:58:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677730\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T15:58:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:58:57","slug":"wild-trade-idea-sees-top-cubs-prospect-dealt-for-giants-ace-robbie-ray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677730\/","title":{"rendered":"Wild Trade Idea Sees Top Cubs Prospect Dealt for Giants Ace Robbie Ray"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs have been absolutely ravaged by injuries to the pitching staff<\/a> so far this season, losing multiple starters and guys in the bullpen as they try to weather the storm.<\/p>\n

With guys like Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Porter Hodge and Phil Maton on the shelf, Chicago has been linked to top free agent Lucas Giolito<\/a>, who they may be circling as the top reinforcement option.<\/p>\n

However, if the Cubs wanted to go with someone on the trade market who could likely help a little bit more and were willing to part with prospect capital to make it happen, there would certainly be opportunities to do that.<\/p>\n

In a recent article, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report<\/a> named San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray as someone Chicago could acquire when the trade deadline rolls around if they are still looking to add pitching in exchange for highly-rated prospect Jonathan Long<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cubs Trade Proposal Lands Robbie Ray for Jonathan Long\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

“It’s not hard to envision a veteran starting pitcher being atop their wish list at the deadline, and left-hander Robbie Ray could be the ideal target if the Giants can’t turn things around,” Reuter wrote. “If the Cubs absorb what’s left of his $25 million salary, it would lessen the prospect cost to acquire the former Cy Young winner….In exchange, the Giants receive a bat-first prospect in Jonathon Long who has an .877 OPS with 21 home runs and 104 RBI in 132 games at Triple-A since the start of last year.”<\/p>\n

Ray is going to be a free agent after this season, making him a two or three-month rental if Chicago were to acquire him at the deadline. Because of this, someone like Long does feel like a little bit of a steep price.<\/p>\n

However, with Michael Busch locked in at first, perhaps Jed Hoyer could use Long’s position block as an advantage and be willing to deal him away.<\/p>\n

Ray Would Instantly Provide Stability to Cubs Staff\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Ray has been simply solid throughout his career, pitching to a 3.65 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 2.8 bWAR last season across 32 starts. He is off to an impressive beginning to 2026 as well, with a 2.42 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across his first four starts.<\/p>\n

The idea of adding another left-hander would also be intriguing to a righty-heavy staff, so Ray would be the perfect addition to elevate the ceiling of this staff. If Hoyer decides Long is a fair price to pay for a rental, keep an eye on Ray as someone Chicago could very much try to target.<\/p>\n

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