The Pittsburgh Pirates went into the All-Star Break nearly 20 games below the .500 mark, poised to be sellers at the trade deadline on July 31. Among the club’s top players prominent in MLB trade rumors, starting pitcher Mitch Keller is generating strong interest.
An All-Star selection in 2023, Keller is getting better as the season unfolds. The 29-year-old is performing like a front-line starter worthy of a spot in a playoff rotation, increasing his trade value in the process. It makes it all the more likely that Pittsburgh moves him at the MLB trade deadline.
Related: MLB trade targets for the best MLB teams right now
Let’s evaluate some of the best trade destinations for Keller.
Chicago Cubs
The Jameson Taillon injury further depleted a Chicago Cubs rotation that is still hurting after Justin Steele underwent Tommy John surgery. Acquiring a half-season rental is certainly an option, but a club that intends to make Kyle Tucker one of the highest-paid MLB players this winter must find a cost-controlled starting pitcher. Enter Mitch Keller. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Chicago has had multiple talks with Pittsburgh about acquiring the All-Star pitcher, and it’s easy to see why there’s so much interest.
- Mitch Keller contract (Spotrac): $15.411 million salary (2025), $16.911 million salary (2026), $18.411 million salary (2027), $20.411 million salary (2028)
Keller is showcasing his best stuff amid the added spotlight of MLB trade rumors. In his final six starts before the All-Star Break, he posted a 1.96 ERA with a 27-7 K-BB ratio, allowing just 24 hits across 36.2 innings pitched. While he doesn’t have elite swing-and-miss stuff, Keller keeps the ball in the yard (0.68 HR/9) and racks up quality starts, which is exactly what Chicago needs.
Related: MLB trade deadline predictions, including Mitch Keller
Boston Red Sox
A 10-game winning streak right before the All-Star Break ensured the Boston Red Sox will be buyers at the MLB trade deadline. With that established, the front office now must go out and find starting pitching. Ideally, it would be a cost-controlled starter, since Alex Bregman will likely want a new deal to re-sign this winter and Boston could also pursue Kyle Tucker.
- Mitch Keller stats (ESPN): 3.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 92-27 K-BB ratio, .237 batting average allowed, .644 OPS allowed across 119 innings pitched
While Keller doesn’t miss many bats (18.7 percent K-rate), he generates a lot of ground balls (44.8 percent), so he wouldn’t be at high risk of giving up a lot more home runs in the AL East. There could even be a path to Boston making a three-team deal, with Jarren Duran going to the San Diego Padres and some of the Padres’ prospects going to Pittsburgh. Keller might not have an extremely high ceiling, but he’s the caliber of starter Boston needs and his contract is relatively team-friendly.
Related: Top Jarren Duran Trade Destinations, Fits for Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
It’s quite remarkable that the Toronto Blue Jays are tied for the most wins in MLB (25) since June 1, despite their starting rotation ranking 24th in ERA (4.87) over that 38-game span. Kevin Gausman might turn things around and Max Scherzer could stay healthy, but this isn’t a group Toronto can feel safe betting on long-term. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has made it clear the team will be ultra-aggressive this summer, and that’s the kind of approach it will take to acquire a playoff-caliber starter who is under contract through 2028. Acquiring Keller would add stability to the rotation, and Toronto could feel confident he would regularly provide quality starts, often working six-plus innings.
Also Read: Best Eugenio Suarez Trade Destinations
Detroit Tigers
Starting pitching hasn’t always been an area of need for the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately, Jackson Jobe underwent Tommy John surgery in June, and Jack Flaherty’s ERA sits at 5.40 over his last 14 starts. Given this club’s aspirations and the fact that Jobe will miss most of next season, it might be wise to acquire another long-term starter. The Tigers absolutely have the depth and talent in their farm system to pull off a trade for Keller. If they are willing, Detroit could even expand the deal to include Pittsburgh’s All-Star closer, David Bednar. While it would mean dealing a significant blow to the farm system, the Pirates would emerge as the big winners of the MLB trade deadline and Detroit would have an elite pitching staff heading into October.
