MLB insider thinks raiding a division rival is the Cubs' best bet for immediate help

While it's a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Cubs will make a move or two by the MLB Trade deadline, a recent rumor claims that Jed Hoyer might make a move before July 31. When that rumor started making its way around the internet, the talk was that the move would be for a starting pitcher, but the who was unknown. New trade whispers on Thursday have clarified that the Cubs could be working with the Pittsburgh Pirates for not one but two pitchers, Mitch Keller and/or David Bednar.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale is the latest to hear rumblings of the Cubs wanting to pull the trigger for more pitching, both in the rotation and the bullpen. This would also allow the team to bow out of the Sandy Alcantara sweepstakes as the market for that pitcher keeps expanding by the day.

The Chicago Cubs could be going after Mitch Keller and David Bednar before the MLB Trade Deadline

"The Chicago Cubs, who have dominated the NL Central but have seen their lead getting a little too close for comfort," Nightengale wrote. "Are one of the teams who would love to get their hands on Keller and Bednar. Every contender but seemingly the Seattle Mariners are seeking a starter, reliever or both."

Not long after Nightengale's report, Cubs insider Bruce Levine (who initially claimed the team could get a new starting pitcher by the end of the month) confirmed he'd heard Keller's name mentioned.

There are undoubtedly some Cubs fans who might feel a bit deflated about Keller over someone like Alcantara or Chris Sale, but dealing for this kind of pitcher definitely fits the bill for the type of hurler Jed Hoyer likes, mainly because he's relatively cheap and is only in year two of a five-year contract for $77 million.

Some will likely be scared off by Keller's 1-10 record this season, but his 4.02 ERA and 3.92 xERA are solid, if not spectacular. He's also in the 85th percentile in Pitching Run-Value among starters at +8 for 2025. If there's a real reason to wonder if he's fit for a Cubs rotation that definitely needs help, it's that he is yet another contact pitcher who doesn't record a ton of strikeouts. Missing bats has been a problem, especially of late for Chicago pitchers, and Keller's whiff rate is -for lack of a better word - bad.

Meanwhile, David Bednar is back to being a very good closer, even if he hasn't been able to be used much this year. He's currently 11-for-11 in save opps with a 2.93 ERA after struggling mightily in 2024, posting a 5.77 earned run average and converting just 23 of 30 save opportunities.

One has to wonder just how much the Chicago Cubs would have to give up to acquire a lockdown closer and a pitcher with three more years of control, especially to a division rival. But there are at least talks, even if there's disagreement on how close a deal is right now.