Overview

• Chicago entered July 31 with a 97 percent chance of reaching the playoffs and one of baseball’s best records but had clear needs in bench depth, the bullpen and its starting rotation.
• President Jed Hoyer chose not to part with top prospects for a marquee starter and instead acquired utilityman Willi Castro along with relievers Michael Soroka, Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers.
• By preserving premium farm assets rather than going all-in, the front office balanced long-term system health against immediate pitching upgrades.
• With no high-end arm added, the Cubs will rely on Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga at the top of the rotation and may use Soroka as long relief or a spot starter until Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad return from injury.
• Analysts handed the deadline performance tepid grades (C to C+), underscoring lingering doubts about Chicago’s depth as it pursues the NL Central title and a postseason run.