Willi Castro has been among the best success stories in recent Minnesota Twins history. They picked him up off the Detroit Tigers scrap heap and turned him into an All-Star. Playing even better this season, and in the final year of arbitration, it was all but assumed he was gone.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired veteran utility player Willi Castro from the Minnesota Twins, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday afternoon ahead of the trade deadline.

They made their first maneuver to address that part of the roster Wednesday night by acquiring right-hander Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals, the team announced. The Cubs sent two prospects in the deal, outfielder Christian Franklin and infielder Ronny Cruz.

The Chicago Cubs bolstered their pitching staff ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline by adding right-handers Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals and Andrew Kittredge from the Baltimore Orioles

Preview, lineups, and expert betting tips for the MLB clash between Chicago Cubs vs Baltimore Orioles on August 1, 2025.

The Orioles are an underdog (+106 on the moneyline to win) when they visit the Cubs (-124). The scheduled starters are Cade Horton (4-3) for the Chicago Cubs, and Trevor Rogers (4-1) for the Baltimore Orioles.

Its Friday, August 1 and the Orioles (50-59) are in Chicago to open a series against the Cubs (63-45) at Wrigley Field. Trevor Rogers is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Cade Horton for Chicago.

Less than 24 hours before the upcoming MLB trade deadline, here is one last minute deal that the Chicago Cubs need to make.