Cubs urged to trade ascending minor league catcher for this Angels pitcher

The August 3 trade deadline is just days away, and the Chicago Cubs are rumored to be buyers as the club is right in the mix for the playoff race. Considering the team could use another pitcher in the starting rotation, ESPN’s Jeff Passan urges the organization to make a deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

During a segment on SportsCenter, the popular MLB insider believes that the Cubs should inquire with the Angels for Reid Detmers. He likes the 27-year-old left-hander’s fit in Chicago and thinks that sending minor league catcher Owen Ayers could get the deal done.

“The Cubs would love starting pitchers, and we have all kinds of possibilities,” Passan said. “But they especially want one who is under control for multiple years, and that’s Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels… [The Angels] are looking for a catcher and the Cubs have Owen Ayers who’s been one of the breakout minor league players this season.”

MLB trade matchmaker @JeffPassan picks the best trade candidates for the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers and Brewers pic.twitter.com/UIUO7cjhmP

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 31, 2026

If adding a pitcher to the rotation who has multiple years of control remaining on his contract is the goal, then Detmers might be the guy for Chicago. The six-year veteran is under control through the 2028 campaign. This season, it has been an up-and-down journey for Detmers, as he owns a 4.03 ERA and 1.096 WHIP with 145 strikeouts through 125.0 innings pitched. A change of scenery could boost his production on the mound.

As for Owen Ayers, as Passan mentioned, he’s having a breakout season in the Cubs’ farm system this year. He finally ascended to Triple-A Iowa recently, having spent most of the year at Double-A Knoxville. Through 87 total games played at the minor league level this season, Ayers owns a .320 batting average and .430 OBP while totaling 99 hits, 23 home runs, and 68 RBIs through 309 at-bats.

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