Cubs Rumors: Mitch Keller's contract could reveal hidden deadline agenda

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller was the latest target added to the Cubs' growing search for a starting pitcher ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. What makes Keller an intriguing target for the Cubs is his contract situation. Keller is in the middle of a five-year deal he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2024 season. In other words, if the Cubs were to trade for Keller, he would instantly become a long-term member of their starting rotation.

However, Keller is part of a trend among the targets the Cubs have been linked to. Both Miami Marlins' pitchers, Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, are under control beyond this season. Alcantara has a club option for the 2027 season, and Edwards does not hit free agency until 2029. Yusei Kikuchi is in the first year of a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, and Luis Severino is also in year one of a three-year deal with the Athletics.

Sure, there are candidates the Cubs have been connected to who are free agents this offseason, but the majority of their targets aren't considered rentals. While that could be a coincidence, it could be tied to the state of their rotation at the start of the 2026 season.

Front office may be revealing deadline strategy through Mitch Keller, other targets

A large reason why the Cubs need to add a starting pitcher is that Justin Steele is recovering from Tommy John surgery. While Steele believes he could be back on the mound by September, chances are the Cubs do not see him again in a Major League game until well into the 2026 season. May would seem like the earliest that Steele would make his return for the Cubs. In other words, the Cubs don't just need to replace Steele for the remainder of this season; they will need to replace him for the start of the 2026 season as well.

Add the fact that Jameson Taillon is a free agent after the 2026 season, and Matthew Boyd, the Cubs are going to need stability for their rotation in the seasons ahead. Keller, Alcantara, and Cabrera would all check that box for the Cubs. As would Kikuchi and Severino, but there are some underlying metrics that the Cubs could shy away from. In other words, it's likely very intentional that the Cubs are targeting pitchers who are under contract beyond this season, as they would be crossing off an offseason need in doing so.

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