Cubs’ Deadline Report Card: Solid B+ With Futures-Focused Upside

The Cubs’ front office paced a busy trade deadline, adding rotation help (Gausman), an upside-lefty (Braxton Garrett), and a bullpen-heavy package (Ryan Zeferjahn) while also acquiring Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor for a deal that cost top prospect Jefferson Rojas; graded as a collective B+ with high marks for the Gausman/Garrett moves and a caveat over the Rojas trade, the front office balanced present needs with future upside and set the stage for October contention plus potential 2027 growth, with deeper “By the Numbers” pieces promised next.