The Chicago Cubs have weathered a storm of pitching injuries this season, yet they remain one of the top teams in Major League Baseball. But with World Series aspirations in full swing, the front office may need to make a bold move to solidify the rotation.

The injury bug has bitten hard. Cade Horton is out for the season, Justin Steele hit a setback in his Tommy John rehab, and left-hander Matthew Boyd—who suffered a meniscus injury while playing with his kids—is sidelined for at least six weeks. These losses have left the Cubs' staff thin, but a potential trade target could change everything.

FanSided's Zachary Rotman recently highlighted four pitchers Chicago should pursue, and one name stands out: New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes. And here's why it just makes sense.

Holmes has been outstanding in 2026, allowing two or fewer runs in each of his first seven starts. But what makes him a perfect fit for the Cubs is his elite ground ball rate. According to Baseball Savant, Holmes ranks in the 93rd percentile with a 57.4 percent ground ball rate—and he finished last season in the 94th percentile.

Pair that with Chicago's Gold Glove infield defense, featuring Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Alex Bregman, plus the above-average glove of Michael Busch, and Holmes could be even more dominant. As Rotman put it, "There's a chance Holmes would be even better with the Cubs' infield defense behind him."

Acquiring Holmes won't come cheap, but for a team with championship ambitions, the price might be worth it. The Cubs have already proven they can win despite adversity. Adding a ground ball machine like Holmes could be the final piece to make a serious run at the title.