Cubs just got bad news on rumored deadline target from rival camp

It has long felt like the Chicago Cubs would circle back to their interest in Pittsburgh Pirates' starting pitcher Mitch Keller if they weren't able to land one of MacKenzie Gore, Joe Ryan, or Edward Cabrera. It remains to be seen if the Cubs will be successful in their efforts for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, but the impression now is that Keller may be staying with the Pirates.

The Pirates have already had an active deadline, moving Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. There seems to be a decent chance that the Pirates will move relief pitcher David Bednar before the deadline, but Keller might be off the table.

Of course, this could be the latest in a back-and-forth between Jed Hoyer and Pirates' general manager Ben Cherington. When the Cubs added Michael Soroka, it created some leverage for Hoyer when it comes to his search for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. With Soroka in hand, Hoyer can tell teams like the Pirates that he is comfortable moving forward with their current pitching staff, instead of pulling the trigger on a deal for Keller.

Trade buzz fizzles as Cubs’ top target likely staying with rival

As the Cubs search for a frontline starting pitcher before this evening's deadline, it seems the key prospects in any deal would be Owen Caissie and Jaxon Wiggins. For instance, the Miami Marlins are seeking both Caissie and Wiggins in a deal for Cabrera, who is under contract through the 2028 season. It doesn't seem that the Cubs would be willing to part with Caissie and Wiggins in the same deal.

Panic is starting to settle in for Cubs fans, as the more time that passes without the Cubs making a significant addition to their starting rotation, the closer we get to Hoyer pointing to Soroka as being a difference maker. While Soroka's metrics suggest there is plenty to like about his addition to the pitching staff, he is far from the type of pitcher the Cubs haven't been shy about expressing their desire to add before the deadline.

More Cubs Rumors at Cubbies Crib