# Morejon, Weaver, Hoffman: The Cubs Aren’t Bargain-Hunting for Relief Help (REPORT)

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-08-01 18:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
The Chicago Cubs are aggressively targeting high-end pitching additions, including relievers and starters, as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

## Intelligence Brief
The Chicago Cubs are currently navigating a high-stakes trade deadline period with a specific focus on bolstering their pitching staff. According to reports from Bleacher Nation and MLB Trade Rumors, the organization is not bargain-hunting for relief help, instead showing interest in Morejon, Weaver, and Hoffman. Other reporting from Cubbies Crib indicates that General Manager Jed Hoyer is targeting relievers from the Padres and Mets to serve as necessary injury insurance. The team's ambitions extend beyond the bullpen, as North Side Baseball reports the Cubs are attempting to secure both a starter and a reliever in a combined package deal. This aggressive pursuit of talent comes as the team weighs various pitching options in the final hours before the deadline. Coverage from multiple outlets highlights the team's specific targets and the fallout from recent league moves. Yahoo Sports and si.com report that the Cubs' ideal deadline strategy involves adding three pitchers to the roster.


The New York Times and Bleacher Report have focused on the team's pursuit of Tarik Skubal, noting that the star pitcher was ultimately landed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a deadline blockbuster. This development is framed by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune as a significant setback, as the Dodgers' acquisition of Skubal makes the road tougher for the Cubs, who are now set to host the Dodgers and Skubal following a series loss to the New York Yankees. Contextually, the Cubs are operating from a position of cautious confidence. MLB.com notes that the starting rotation has quietly stabilized, and The New York Times reports that the team expects to add to the bullpen even as current relievers regain health. Manager Craig Counsell has expressed confidence in the team regardless of how the trade deadline proceedings ultimately unfold. Internal alignment is also emphasized, with Cubbies Crib stating that the current strategy satisfies both Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins. This pursuit of talent follows a series win in St.


Louis, which the Chicago Tribune suggests could provide a platform for the team to capitalize on the market. Looking forward, the Cubs are focused on finalizing their pitching acquisitions before the deadline expires. Coverage from Yahoo Sports suggests there is at least one last-minute trade the team must make to solidify their position. Based on reporting from Yahoo Sports and MLB Trade Rumors, the organization remains interested in trading for three pitchers and has explored targets including a Padres pitcher and a Blue Jays star valued at 33 million dollars. Observers will be watching to see if the team can successfully execute a package deal for a starter and reliever or if they will pivot their strategy following the loss of Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Bleacher Report | New Cubs Rumors on Tarik Skubal Trade Pursuit After Dodgers Landed Star in Deadline Blockbuster | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizwFBVV95cUxPWExKR0RSeWV2aUJ0MEpCZVM3dm5uWWJOZGJSYmowQ3lQdnBxSW52cDVERmNoMm90dG1KeXd2Z214cGh6bl9XVlg0Tk92SWw4X3ZXb2xTYXM1ZVU5Q09YVk9Pd1BZZHVCU0cydFItc240U2t3M1I0OGtrdFM0RzNFR1hMX21zdlRrY3BNZmVyakRxc1A2aTh3dHRrUnl0MFVIQ0pLTUxIQWZYdEJTRzJoMlBjM1hKUjhQX1dOUlJORllxc3N6NDlOQk5kTUJ4VHM?oc=5) |
| Chicago Tribune | Chicago Cubs drop series to the New York Yankees, move on to host the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tarik Skubal | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxNTUhlRzVMNVdnS2xobDZFdkR3YThxODZ0THEzMzFyTmU3RENLM2UxNXRtNUU3YzdDYUE1Y2Q4OWdVNnlfTVNCdEJKd3o1V1c4anEwOE0wanVmc2p1aWROVHp6d2o5Nlg0SHZZNmdTdjdEN0tOc0lzcUVWU0dQckcwU2tiQXNFWDNPSUE?oc=5) |
| Chicago Sun-Times | Dodgers getting Tarik Skubal only makes Cubs' road tougher | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxPUzdBVDE3bVNweG5kN3lVOTRHcTB5Um0xbXlTR1RoTTJFVU9ZMXBkMGtxTjJwcXpVYjYzSHI4elV4X3pPcjJ6MklhRGN3Q1c2WG93VFluNlVVVlNPbmJlalZBZFFsMzctZGtCQ3JaN2gwZGdlU3ZnWVVDSl9PdUtXaFlNbm4yLV9yZEFLQnlLLVNZdzFwbldqdGx6SVJVamVsMW5aNg?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | On eve of trade deadline, Cubs weigh pitching options after Tarik Skubal goes to Dodgers | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxOZEJrd3BzLUJBcnVsX0xCU3k4ZkV0QkhSVzFIbmt5aXNkQXJiNS1QSTNFVF9HWDJvUUYyNUJQNVJXejM0TE8yeDNGLXZzRGZ3Y2JKVi1QdWFDMXM2TE96WkE2Mzl5T2doR1hLbzBSSENESkhfLTJSek52TVRWWjdnVGNUNC1qQndOeU5SNV94aHJSLTRDMGE0Ym5KcHE?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | 1 last-minute trade Cubs must make before deadline | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE52OHBTVjZxVDgyY21ROHN5YTU5Q0tsbXVybzFacXMxYk05M0R2Y21hb05HU2ZvT0hGeVBDRkRmV1piNzU5a2NNOFFVZFR1V2FPTHhlV0hjUDBodzBacHVNd3hBT3B1UlpoY1dITjJ4YkpmLV9qSEdlMDBDREZhUQ?oc=5) |
| North Side Baseball | Sources: Cubs Attempting to Land Starter and Reliever in Package Deal | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxPa0lLRWZxSnRMMG9iUy1IcTBOOUc5aFJhVmpXRVRJSFFiTldFeWRkMkdsc25jZlFTcFFySHZHcDd3QjZPa0dmUXlVVk9RM0FfU0E0eU1jNWw5SzBOVGoyaUlsSWNiQlRuQUxiZ0lwdHB4WG13dnNlNXNMUjgwZ0N3NlgzT3B3QWZRZS01MkE5cFZ1Qjhyb05xMFRZNDUwR25weEhpM0J5OG1rWXNsR21TeXU4cTBxamJaNUJZY1VwUV9jWnlwYmlnYUFR?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Craig Counsell confident in Cubs however trade deadline goes | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxQYXNRRUlZZVZTRWd1alIzTERweTFfbWQxZnBmTFdDTVVZazFlRGVOQi1ubUFHRndFZzhTMnBDVHdIcE8xZi1yMjlvcVV4bjh0cVBKb1o4QlU2aDZHdzVRVTU4X09RMWJwX2p0NVM0OGU3WjNnWGh5WFg4VjV5N0M0ZVNYbFlTbXZiY0pkUWxWaw?oc=5) |
| Cubbies Crib | Cubs' smartest trade deadline strategy satisfies both Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxOQTlfUEYwU282ZE5kVmpZNjVtUjRZOXdHaEZTNlM1VUtRX2N1WjBBMEZNZnFLQUFaY3RGSWwtR3pHYmNfRENiRDl4Q3dBeVlua0pmeV9KbURvSVhMd0t4bVItZEl2SlR5cUNveDdMSmp0ZHpua0E5a3lzNDc0c0JKaEhFeGVfaEtGdlhnbW1RcnFXdkU3enhoVWtzZmtUVjVNTlRpNy02OUc?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | MLB rumors: Cubs still want to trade for 3 pitchers after missing on Tarik Skubal | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigAFBVV95cUxNZ3kwbmstS29LWlh3NGlXdmROeTQzU2NSVXkyVm41cktRb2VxQzZ1YVY0QzU0TlVYVkIzT3g5dFRZQl85eWczcjFaTEVQTnU0RjRabFJydzdIS05kblplTFVJWUtTbDlmZEttSVNyemctZTQ3YlhHOHFDeU5qSENYdg?oc=5) |
| FanSided | These Cubs have already played their final game in Chicago ahead of the trade deadline | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxPQmUxVEd5Ti1BeFgwSDJoSmNaY3hNYTIyelRKWTU1VTJxeW1fLTc2YW00SjNiMEs1ck0wZjZaYk1qZ0x2VzhxTlJPbkRGWEhOZzZyRDUxWktTSlVDTU9FSGxGVjJzYlBvMXI1Z0pxUVNhaXFfTkR1T0lJLXlEVEVicHpSRnZkcUZyUHVLZHZDR0hrR3F5aVpodFdXdUoxak13WFdhQ012NGpBQUNmVjI1WQ?oc=5) |
| si.com | Cubs' Ideal Trade Deadline Plan Reportedly Has Them Adding 3 Pitchers | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxNT2NLNkVKSWttMjFWaWJOWEVCZThoN3Y0ajVEY2NILVFkbGpUU0QwbEJZZ1ZfM210ZTVtWmxMSXp3TUh5cG9sSWpvRlRrVFhBdk9lSWVvRHpQUkM5TTNVQlBvS25ZQmNzbmNTWnVIaHhhMThkU2FhSFJBbzRPNndQZ0QtbUlQVXdTdHNjTHA0dTVZdjVrOEN5LUVnWktXZHBmWXlCTEJ3?oc=5) |
| MLB Trade Rumors | Cubs Interested In Soriano, Weaver, Hoffman | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPdVJsTmpzX1Z3U05JdGtHVjRSd1BLUmFsWGF4N1RJcElTVDF4STQ4X1o4UHFTbWQ1YnpuOU1lZHhUYzBpcVFTSkhwaUZ5LVJqV2tRRl9ONWhvYXpHQWRzUWFNR05ZUkhHNHRDZ1VKSnNOY0dEaHFxelR6LUFtUkVEUzVsU1ctYkxyMk5UWHZR?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | What we're hearing about the Cubs' confident pitching plans for the trade deadline | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxNNW9mUHM2T3hvOVVlYkdCUGtrTU5MZWw0Q2NMekdydEpzZW9qWVhYdm5DbmpVakxqSVREaVNfaWdfd3BlWGdLZUl0d3pqLVVzWG1qZ010NEVhTjAyQUYxd3pFY2djalRZMGJha3hUTWFaMGpwa2JtdUVobWdNM1dzUUktRk9SUlJVVlVsbElMWnM?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | Cubs' Ideal Trade Deadline Plan Reportedly Has Them Adding 3 Pitchers | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxPTFVBMkVkUC1tZnRNNHZzZjlyMEx3X1l0UnBDUWM2N1Z4MVgycER1WmQ4UExfSVB0VzJ1UEZfUzRNMjZTOTA0ZFVfN28wUVVUUFZQTm5iQnp6YkdDZnc3VkZxdnFibnE2UE1aZklnMDlFaFJwN0M2MFd6czlMOUVpU3ROaWJaQQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo Sports | A New Trade Target Has Emerged For The Cubs | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTFB0Ti13ck80bGp5NV9aT1VXR1lRLURtWGQwV1pRQzRzcmNaaUZoR0Q2NHZwT19ibkQtY21zb0N3cXRodkVIWnl4UVh2Z2lGbEk0S1U5SmdOeVdKanVBUzFFSklRVFJXbVlmZ0VnbnI0Y2lPaEc2NXJwWXJFakIxbWs?oc=5) |

---
*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-08-01/morejon-weaver-hoffman-the-cubs-aren-t-bargain-hunting-for-relief-help-report*