The Chicago Cubs are running out of safe pitching solutions, which is exactly why Eric Lauer suddenly feels like a realistic target.
Not because he is dominating.
Not because the Toronto Blue Jays gave up on him too early.
The Cubs are considering the type of move teams make when injuries start forcing contenders into uncomfortable territory.
After Toronto designated Lauer for assignment, Bleacher Nation’s Brett Taylor urged the Cubs to explore a possible reunion between the veteran left-hander and manager Craig Counsell. On the surface, the idea sounds minor. In reality, it says a lot about where Chicago’s pitching situation currently stands.
Because contenders usually do not spend May discussing reclamation projects unless legitimate concerns already exist behind the scenes.
Cubs No Longer Have the Luxury of Waiting
GettyEric Lauer #56 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 04, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The Cubs have survived the early part of the season largely because their offense continues producing consistently. That has helped cover up growing instability on the pitching staff.
But the warning signs are getting harder to ignore.
Chicago continues searching for reliable innings while uncertainty surrounding Justin Steele’s recovery remains unresolved. The bullpen has absorbed a heavy workload, and the organization knows depth problems in May can become full-scale disasters by July.
That reality makes Lauer at least worth discussing.
The 30-year-old left-hander has struggled badly this season. His velocity has dipped noticeably. His strikeout numbers have collapsed. Opponents are making loud contact consistently, and the home run issues became severe enough that Toronto ultimately decided the roster spot mattered more than continuing the experiment.
Those trends usually point toward a pitcher losing effectiveness physically rather than simply dealing with bad luck.
Still, teams in the Cubs’ position cannot afford to dismiss every struggling arm with upside.
That is especially true when Counsell already knows the player.
Craig Counsell Connection Changes the Conversation
GettyEric Lauer #52 of the Milwaukee Brewers is taken out of the game by manager Craig Counsell #30 in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 3, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Lauer spent several seasons pitching under Counsell with the Milwaukee Brewers, including a strong stretch where he looked capable of stabilizing a major-league rotation.
That familiarity matters more than people realize.
Managers and pitching staffs often feel more comfortable targeting struggling veterans they already understand mechanically and mentally. Chicago would not need to guess whether Lauer fits the clubhouse or whether specific adjustments previously worked.
The Cubs would already possess that information internally.
Bleacher Nation also noted the financial complications attached to a potential move. Lauer is still owed roughly $4.4 million this season, making a direct waiver claim less appealing for a front office that may prefer saving payroll flexibility for the trade deadline.
That creates another layer to the situation.
Chicago could attempt a smaller trade if Toronto agrees to absorb part of the remaining contract. The Cubs could also simply wait and hope Lauer clears waivers before pursuing him on a cheaper deal.
Either way, the discussion itself reveals something important.
The Cubs are officially entering the stage of the season where upside matters more than certainty.
And if the pitching situation continues trending in the wrong direction, moves like this may only become more common as the summer approaches.
Cubs Urged to Gamble on Former Brewers Pitcher