Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton (22) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AP

As the Cubs were searching for an impact starting pitcher who was under control beyond this season, one name kept coming up in trade talks: Cade Horton. But team president Jed Hoyer just wasn’t willing to part with the rookie pitcher, especially since those asks included other top prospects.

“He came up in some trade discussions,” Hoyer said. “To trade a guy (like) him with his amount of control to get a guy with less control, it didn’t make a lot of sense, along with a bunch of other pieces as well.”

Getting two-plus years of MacKenzie Gore or Joe Ryan would have been huge for this team. But would su

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