The Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement to acquire right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale from the Oakland Athletics, the team announced. In exchange, the Athletics receive minor league pitcher Aiden Moffett. The deal also includes cash considerations to offset a portion of Civale’s remaining contract.
A Familiar Return to Chicago
This trade marks the second stint for the 31-year-old veteran with the Cubs organization. Civale was previously claimed off waivers by Chicago on August 31, 2025. During that brief tenure, he made five relief appearances, recording a 1-0 record with one save and a 2.08 ERA across 13 innings. He also contributed 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the team during the 2025 postseason. Civale, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Athletics this past winter, was designated for assignment by the club on Wednesday. His performance in Oakland struggled during the 2026 season, where he logged a 5.42 ERA and a 5-7 record over 16 appearances, 15 of which were starts. His season included a period on the injured list due to a shoulder injury.
Addressing Rotation Depletion
The acquisition comes as the Cubs navigate a significant injury crisis within their pitching staff. The organization is currently without several key arms, including Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Edward Cabrera, and Ben Brown. While the rotation remains thinned by these absences, internal expectations for recovery are ongoing. Taillon is expected to be activated off the injured list during the upcoming series against the Detroit Tigers, while Cabrera is projected to return in mid-August. Furthermore, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer noted on Friday that the team remains hopeful for the continued return of sidelined players.
For more on this story, see Cubs’ Peterson Earns First Win, Stabilizing Rotation Amid Injuries.
Prospect Heading to Oakland
In exchange for the veteran arm, the Athletics receive 22-year-old Aiden Moffett. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia last summer, Moffett has split his 2026 season between the Complex League and Single-A Myrtle Beach. While the right-hander has shown the ability to strike out more than a batter per inning, he has struggled with control. In 17 appearances this season, Moffett has recorded a 9.67 ERA and a 34.1% walk rate, issuing 42 walks in 22 1/3 innings of work.
Trade Details and Context
Civale enters the Cubs’ clubhouse with eight seasons of major league experience, having played for the Guardians, Rays, Brewers, White Sox, Cubs, and Athletics. Across 156 career appearances, he holds a 4.26 ERA. The move is the latest in a series of roster adjustments for the Cubs, who are looking to bolster their depth for the second half of the season. Chicago currently sits in the National League playoff hunt, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the National League Central while holding a wild-card position.
This follows our earlier report, The Cubs’ Biggest Offseason Need: Starting Pitching.
Key Transaction Summary
| Recipient | Acquisition |
|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | RHP Aaron Civale, Cash Considerations |
| Oakland Athletics | RHP Aiden Moffett |
The Cubs finalized the trade on Saturday following a 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins, bringing their overall record to 55-43.