The Chicago Cubs had a clear focus ahead of the 2026 MLB trade deadline: starting pitching. One day after the team brought in veteran Kevin Gausman, the Cubs traded for Miami Marlins starter Braxton Garrett, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Garrett, 28, has spent the majority of the 2026 season in the minors. He has been excellent at Triple-A, with a 2.90 ERA over 77 2/3 innings.
Garrett, a lefty, was a top-100 prospect back in 2017. He eventually reached the majors in 2020 and — after a few middling years — turned in a promising 2022, posting a 3.58 ERA over 17 starts. He came back in 2023 with another strong year, posting a 3.66 ERA over 30 starts.
Injuries wrecked Garrett's 2024 season. He made just seven starts, posting a 5.35 ERA before going down with an elbow issue. He missed all of 2025 after undergoing elbow surgery.
Garrett returned to action in 2026 but — despite performing well in the minors — face-planted in two major-league starts with the Marlins in May. He lasted just 1 1/3 innings in his first start with Miami, giving up five runs. In his next outing, he gave up two runs over three innings.

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