Carson Kelly's name unexpectedly pops up in latest Cubs trade deadline rumor

The Chicago Cubs have one goal that must be accomplished ahead of next week's MLB trade deadline: add as much quality pitching as possible. To do so, Jed Hoyer will have to get creative, especially if he's pitted against the loaded farm systems of the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers.

We can definitely chalk this latest Cubs trade deadline rumor up as just that: creative.

According to a new rumor roundup from ESPN insider Jeff Passan, the Cubs have discussed veteran catcher Carson Kelly with prospective suitors - adding a new wrinkle to the drama with just days till the deadline. Kelly, 32, has been a steady performer during his season-and-a-half on the North Side, cementing his place as a strong receiver and consistent offensive threat.

Chicago is going to be creative -- with Ayers on the cusp, the Cubs have talked about Carson Kelly with teams seeking a right-handed-hitting catcher, for example -- because in a league with the Dodgers, Brewers, Braves and Phillies, walking into a postseason with clear weaknesses is doom waiting to happen.

He's in the final season of the two-year deal he signed with Chicago ahead of the 2025 campaign - and, even though the contract has a mutual option for 2027, it's a foregone conclusion he'd decline his side of it and look for a new multi-year deal before he hits the back half of his 30s. Given Kelly is such an integral part of the team, it's surprising to see his name in rumors.

Cubs could hypothetically trade Carson Kelly or Miguel Amaya

Given he's on an expiring contract, I get why the Cubs may be more inclined to trade Kelly over Miguel Amaya, who I've pondered as a potential trade chip on multiple occasions over the last month. Trading Amaya would mean you're planning on extending Kelly, but if Hoyer doesn't feel that's either A) likely or B) something he wants to do, then flipping the veteran to a team in need of catching help makes sense.

Then, you'd roll with Amaya as your everyday catcher and probably pull in a veteran as depth, assuming you don't want to immediately call up catching prospect Owen Ayers, who was recently promoted to Triple-A Iowa for the first time. Maybe he gets a look in September, but you probably don't want to lean heavily on the 25-year-old.

There are multiple teams in need of help behind the plate. And, as we've discussed a lot already, if trading one of your backstops helps you address one of the many pitching needs, the Cubs' front office needs to seriously consider it, as unorthodox as it may seem.

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