The Chicago Cubs are actively looking for a top-of-the-line starting pitcher this offseason. The front office is checking in with a number of different free agent pitchers and appears to be interested in some of the top available ones.
According to different reports, the Cubs have shown interest in Michael King, Tatsuya Imai, Zac Gallen, and Ranger Suarez. However, the team’s best bet at adding a frontline starter this winter could be by trading for one.
Although the Cubs would have to part with some prospects, most of the pitchers that are available in the trade market would cost significantly less than signing one in free agency. That could be the way Chicago plans to go this offseason.
One pitcher that the Cubs could look to trade for is Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller. While it remains to be seen if the Pirates would trade him in the division, it sounds like Keller could be traded before the 2026 season.
At the Winter Meetings in Florida, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon reported that the Pirates are “open” to trading any of their young pitchers except for Paul Skenes. That means Keller — who was thrown around in trade negotiations at the deadline — could be moved.
However, Keller shouldn’t be the Cubs’ preference in the trade market.
He has finished with an over 4.10 ERA in three consecutive seasons and is just too inconsistent on the mound. On top of that, the 29-year-old’s strikeout numbers have declined in recent seasons, which is what the Cubs need in their rotation.
After finishing the 2023 season with 210 strikeouts, Keller has seen his strikeout rate drop each of the last two years. In 2024, his strikeout rate sat at 21.5%. Then, his strikeout rate dropped even further to only 20% last year.
Therefore, Keller shouldn’t be on the Cubs’ radar this offseason. Both MacKenzie Gore and Edward Cabrera are better fits for the team, and the Pirates pitcher wouldn’t really be a huge upgrade in Chicago’s rotation.
He has shown his potential on the mound at times throughout his career, but his late-season numbers do make him a risky trade target. Keller has a career 5.90 ERA in August and a 4.26 ERA in September/October.
That’s why the Cubs should only call the Pirates if they aren’t able to land one of the top pitchers in free agency or Gore/Cabrera in the trade market. There is just too much inconsistency with Keller at this point in his career.
