The Chicago Cubs' need for a right-handed starting pitcher is paramount.
Remarkably, the Cubs managed to stack two standout lefties at the top of their rotation again this year despite the injury to Justin Steele, as Matthew Boyd has been a remarkable value signing.
But righties like Ben Brown, Colin Rea, and Jameson Taillon have been hard to rely on this year, either due to injuries, ineffectiveness, or a combination of both.
With the Milwaukee Brewers hot on their tail, the Cubs simply have to land some starting pitching help to stay on top of the National League Central, and one writer thinks they'll use a division rival to do so.
On Monday, Sportsnaut's Matt Johnson predicted that the Cubs would trade for Pittsburgh Pirates righty Mitch Keller, who is on a five-year, $77 million extension through 2028 that his small-market team would likely be happy to dump.
"An All-Star selection in 2023, Keller is getting better as the season unfolds. Over his last seven starts, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ right-handed pitcher has a 2.32 ERA with just 32 hits allowed and a 31-7 K-BB ratio across 42.2 innings," wrote Johnson.
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"He’s also under team control through 2028. He’s simply a safer bet at this point than (the Miami Marlins' Sandy) Alcantara, and that’s what the Cubs need in their playoff rotation."
On the season, Keller owns a 3-10 record, but a 3.48 ERA. He needs to get out of Pittsburgh to learn what winning baseball feels like, and the Cubs seem like an ideal destination since their need for pitchers like him is paramount.
Certainly, there will be other teams hot on Keller's tail. Will the Cubs carry the day? Jul. 31 will be the latest date we could find out the answer.
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