The Chicago Cubs' pursuit of bullpen help has led them to Jeff Hoffman, though he's not necessarily their top choice.
Chicago has been interested in acquiring a reliever from San Diego, but that pitcher throws left-handed, and the Cubs ultimately prefer a right-handed arm.
That preference has linked Chicago to both Luke Weaver and Hoffman as realistic alternatives.
Weaver isn't a new name in these Cubs rumors either. He was previously connected to a move to Chicago back in mid-July, and team president Jed Hoyer reportedly showed interest in signing him last winter before the Cubs balked at meeting New York's contract offer.
Weaver has proven that deal was worth it regardless, posting a 1.88 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 43 innings for the Mets this season.
Weaver is widely viewed as the better option of the two, having posted mostly stronger numbers than Hoffman across the board in 2026.
Hoffman does hold one real advantage, though. He's carrying a 14.09 K/9 rate, well above Weaver's 9.21, giving him a real swing-and-miss edge even with a higher overall ERA at 4.11 across 46 innings.
Why price could tip this decision toward Hoffman
Hoffman would almost certainly be cheaper to acquire than Weaver, an important factor for any front office trying to maximize value at the deadline.
Both pitchers carry somewhat similar salaries through the 2027 season, meaning any cost advantage likely comes down to trade compensation rather than the money owed on each contract.
It's a bit like choosing between two similarly priced products, one with slightly better reviews overall, the other with one standout feature that still turns heads.
Does Hoffman's superior strikeout rate make him the smarter target regardless of Weaver's better overall numbers, or does Chicago's stated preference for Weaver suggest they've already made up their mind?
For Toronto, any real interest from a club like the Cubs adds one more serious suitor to a Hoffman market that's already drawn attention from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Should the Cubs pursue Jeff Hoffman over Luke Weaver given his higher strikeout rate?
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