The Chicago Cubs desperately need to add to their starting pitching rotation, and it would be the best-case scenario if the Cubs could add a pitcher with some club control.
Chicago came into the season with a hole in their pitching staff, and it’s only gotten worse. Jameson Taillon has battled injuries, while Justin Steele is out for the season with an elbow injury. The Cubs have enough talent to win games, but if they want a fair chance in October, it’s crucial they make a deal for another starting pitcher before the trade deadline.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported that the Cubs were targeting an intra-division trade for Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller in the coming days. Keller has multiple years of team control left, and the Cubs are reportedly willing to cut ties with top outfield prospect Owen Caissie to make the deal happen.
“The Cubs desperately want another starter at the deadline, targeting Mitch Keller of the Pirates, and would include outfield prospect Owen Caissie to make it work,” Nightengale wrote.
Intra-division trades are rare because rivals typically don’t want to send talented players to each other. But this deal could work if the Cubs are willing to part ways with Caissie.
The Pirates are a team with a lot of pitching in their farm system, but talented position players are few and far between. Pittsburgh would be able to replace Keller in the coming years. Adding a prospect haul led by Caissie would be incredible for its future.
The Cubs need a team-controlled pitcher because they’ve acquired enough rentals this year. If they acquire more rentals, it could benefit the team this season, but the offseason could quickly turn into a disaster if all the expiring players part ways with the Cubs.
Keller has been solid this year. He’s one of the best team-controlled pitchers on the market.
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