The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets are two of the best clubs in the National League this season. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, both teams are reportedly pursuing the same All-Star pitcher.
According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, both the Mets and Cubs have expressed interest to the Pittsburgh Pirates in acquiring starting pitcher Mitch Keller this summer.
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- 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, age 29, struggled to recapture his 2023 All-Star form the following year. He posted a 4.25 ERA, allowing 182 hits in 178 innings pitched. However, he’s rebounded this season and has been even better lately.
Across his last five starts, the veteran righty holds a 2.40 ERA with a 23-6 K-BB ratio and only 24 hits allowed in 30 innings pitched. In fact, he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in four consecutive outings.
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- Mitch Keller stats (ESPN): 3.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 84-26 K-BB, .245 batting average allowed, .655 OPS allowed in 106.1 innings pitched
Trading Keller would get the Pirates off the hook for his salaries in future seasons, but his salaries are affordable for a mid-rotation starter. Chicago has been engaged in trade talks.
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