Cubs ‘Engaging in Serious Talks’ With Pirates for $70 Million Starter, Per Report

The Chicago Cubs are keeping their eyes open on the starting pitching market, but they reportedly have started to narrow down their search.

With the trade deadline about a month away, teams are beginning to hold conversations about certain players. MLB insider Bob Nightengale is reporting the Cubs are homing in on Pittsburgh Pirates starter Mitch Keller.

“The Pittsburgh Pirates have been engaged in serious trade talks for more than a week with the Chicago Cubs about starter Mitch Keller,” wrote Nightengale. “Keller, who’s in the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract, is under control through 2028, earning $15 million this year, $16.5 million in 2026, $18 million in 2027 and $20 million in 2028.”

Keller pitched Friday night for the Pirates and saw the offense score more than two runs in one of his starts for the first time since May 2. After four consecutive starts with conceding three earned runs or fewer, his ERA now sits at 3.90 heading into July.

The Cubs make a lot of sense for Keller, as they would allow him to be much closer to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His family makes the trip to Wrigley Field when the Pirates play in Chicago, and this would allow his family to see him play more often.

From a team perspective, it’s hard to see the Pirates willingly trade Keller to a division rival. If Pittsburgh plans on contending in the next few years, he is someone it would likely rely on to get it in the playoffs.

The length of team control Keller has also makes any trade talks more difficult as the Pirates will likely expect a large return for him, and the Cubs may not be willing to meet the price.

A lot can change over the next month or so, but if the talks are already serious, then there’s a good chance Keller finishes the season in a different uniform than he started it.

More MLB: Yankees ‘Closely Monitoring’ $70 Million Gold Glove Infielder at Deadline