The Chicago Cubs are in need of starting pitchers. They could find an upgrade on a division rival before the trade deadline. The Milwaukee Brewers are not far behind the Cubs, and the team may feel some pressure to make a trade.
The Cubs once looked like they were set up to run away with the National League Central. However, their lead has shrunk, and the Brewers are one of the hottest teams in baseball. The Cubs will be without Justin Steele for the rest of the season after he underwent season-ending elbow surgery.
The Cubs' rotation has struggled this year. Colin Rea, Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon and Cade Horton all have ERAs above 4.00. The Cubs may have already identified their ideal trade target, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
"The Pittsburgh Pirates have been engaged in serious trade talks for more than a week with the Chicago Cubs about starter Mitch Keller. Keller, who’s in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract, is under control through 2028, earning $15 million this year, $16.5 million in 2026, $18 million in 2027 and $20 million in 2028," wrote Nightengale.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the few teams that are pretty much guaranteed to be sellers at the deadline. Nightengale also noted that the Pirates are willing to trade anyone not named Paul Skenes or Andrew McCutchen.
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Keller is a former All-Star and is in his seventh season as a big leaguer. He has a 3.90 ERA this year in 17 starts. He has a 4.51 career ERA and could be a huge boost to the Cubs' rotation. He could slot in behind Shōta Imanaga and play a big role in the Cubs winning the division. The question will be whether the Pirates want to deal him to a rival.
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