The Chicago Cubs were already in the market for starting pitching a month out from the MLB trade deadline. Following the injury to Jameson Taillon, it appears the club could ramp up its efforts to acquire a front-line starter.
According to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs front office continues to pursue a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller. The clubs have been in talks for weeks, even before Chicago placed Taillon on the injured list.
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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
Keller isn’t the only player on the Pirates’ roster that Chicago is interested in. Reports indicate that the Cubs are among the teams that have inquired about the availability of third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
However, there is an issue for Chicago. Pittsburgh’s asking price for Keller is rising after the All-Star hurler recorded a 2.40 ERA across his last five starts. Additionally, according to Nightengale, MLB executives are beginning to believe that the Pirates might keep some of their top players following a turnaround in June.
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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)
If Keller is taken off the market, Chicago would likely pivot to Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara or Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo. Both are believed to be available this summer, but each has drawbacks.
Alcantara, who is under team control through 2028, has a 7.01 ERA this season, allowing 89 hits and 35 walks in 86 innings pitched. Lugo has been much better, compiling a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts, but he is expected to decline his $15 million player option this winter to become a free agent. If that happens, Chicago would have to enter a bidding war for both Lugo and Kyle Tucker.
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