The Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff has been a bit questionable so far this season. The injuries have taken a major toll on this unit, with big names like Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon missing significant time on the IL. It has been rough, and the question across Chicago has been……what will the team do come the trade deadline?

For some folks, they are completely sold on Paul Skenes. For others; they are looking for a Sandy Alcantara from the Marlins, or a Mitch Keller from the Pirates to join the roster. Which is all fine and dandy, if you ask me. I love me some Mitch Keller, and I think he would be a very affordable arm for the Cubs’ to go after.

BUT, and this might be crazy to say…..would bringing back Aroldis Chapman be a crazy idea?

Should the Cubs bring back Aroldis Chapman?

Stats this season:

36 IP
1.25 ERA
53 SO
0.78 WHIP

He still has the heat 🔥🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/MkhjxFlp8F

— SleeperCubs (@SleeperCubs) July 7, 2025

Chapman, for those of you who may have forgotten, was a KEY ARM in the Cubs’ run to a title back in 2016. He began that year with the New York Yankees, where he posted a 2.01 ERA through 31 games played. He was then traded to Chicago in July of 2016, in a deal involving Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney, Adam Warren, and Rashad Crawford. The only problem? It’s that he basically turned into a one-year rental for the organization, as he would end up re-signing with the Yankees that very offseason.

He was, has, and always will be an electric flamethrower; hitting 100 on the gun on a consistent basis. The 37-year old lefty still has a lot left in the tank, and has been proving it with his 1.25 ERA with the Red Sox. But the question is…..is there a shot that he will end up with Craig Counsell’s bunch? And is that a smart idea?

For starters; the Red Sox are currently sitting at 48-45, and are one game back in the Wild Card. They are riding a five game winning streak (as of writing this), and have won eight of their last ten games. They have been looking like a different team as of late, which leads me to believe that the Sox may not be willing to part ways with the 7x All-Star any time soon.

Granted…..it can happen? The Red Sox haven’t been the biggest threat throughout a majority of the season. As my good friend and Red Sox aficionado Tommy Bennett told me earlier in the season; “this team STINKS. They’re the same as last year.” So the blueprint for them to turn into sellers isn’t in the trash quite yet. But the postseason isn’t a “done deal” in the slightest.

If it does happen though, and Boston is willing to move on from their closer……should the Cubs make the move? That…..has plenty of factors in itself as well. The Cubs DESPERATELY need to find another arm for their rotation. They need to bring in a Mitch Keller (preferably), or a Sandy Alcantara, to help sure up a squad that has been PLAGUED with injuries. They already have Daniel Palencia in the pen, which means that Chapman is not desperately needed. But it would be a nice luxury to have both of them on the roster, as long as the team addresses the other major issues.

Simply put; if the door is open, and the Cubs can get him……then go and get him. But don’t overpay for a 37-year old one-year rental, and make sure he’s not your top priority. We can turn back the clock to 2016……but not at the expense of our future.

But in the end, as always…..what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.