The Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves to be buyers at the trade deadline, entering MLB games today with one of the top records in baseball. While nothing is imminent, there are reportedly two clear targets on Chicago’s radar.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Cubs reached out to the Miami Marlins regarding a trade for Sandy Alcantara. Meanwhile, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Chicago is also in on Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller and Athletics starter Luis Severino.
Related: Insider sheds light on Chicago Cubs’ approach to MLB trade deadline
- Sandy Alcantara stats (ESPN): 6.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 59-34 K-BB in 74 innings
Notably, per Heyman, the Athletics have no plans on trading Severino this summer. Months removed from signing a three-year deal worth $67 million, the team will be holding onto him despite having one of the worst records in the American League.
Alcantara is still viewed as the most coveted trade candidate this summer despite his underperformance this season. While he entered Friday with a 6.69 ERA, he’s been better as of late. Over his last four starts, Alcantara has a 2.74 ERA with a 19-5 K-BB ratio and 18 hits allowed across 23 innings pitched.
Keller, age 29, hasn’t quite recaptured his form from his All-Star season in 2023. Over the last two years, he has held a 4.17 ERA with 272 hits allowed and just 239 strikeouts across 272 innings pitched.
Related: Suitors emerge for Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Tucker this winter
- Mitch Keller stats (ESPN): 4.02 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 73-24 K-BB in 94 innings pitched
Both Keller and Alcantara would provide Chicago with a long-term starter. Keller is under contract through 2028 at a $17.7 million AAV in the final four years of the deal. Alcantara is under team control through 2027, with a $17.3 million salary in 2025–26 and a $21 million club option for the 2027 season.
More About:MLB