One stubborn Cubs rumor is still circling as deadline looms

Listeners of "Inside the clubhouse" may have caught an interesting tidbit shared by Bruce Levine on Saturday, suggesting that a few weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates were approaching the finish line on a deal that would have sent Mitch Keller to Chicago. The reporting does appear to match the inevitable feeling a Keller trade had in June, but in the weeks since, it seems that talks between the Cubs and Pirates have died down.

With the MLB trade deadline this Thursday, Bob Nightengale of the USA Today states the obvious in that the Cubs are desperate to add a starting pitcher, but breathes new life into the rumor connecting Keller to the North Side.

"The Cubs desperately want another starter at the deadline, targeting Mitch Keller of the Pirates, and would include outfield prospect Owen Caissie to make it work."

Even as deadline nears, one Cubs rumor keeps hanging around

The framing of Nightengale's intel may need to be reworked. If the Pirates are going to move Keller, it would seem that Caissie would be the best prospect they could receive in any potential deal. Given that idea, it would make sense that the Pirates are holding out hope that the Cubs circle back to them and Keller as a fall-back option.

However, for the Cubs, it would seem they are aiming higher than Keller. Recent speculation has connected the Cubs to MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals. Under contract through the 2027 season, Gore would give the Cubs a definitive ace for the seasons ahead. Even Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins would be a pitcher the Cubs would seemingly prioritize over Keller should the Twins make their All-Star pitcher available.

As the Cubs look to potentially move Caissie, their top prospect, at the deadline, it doesn't feel like they would be eager to do so for Keller. If the Cubs reach Thursday without a clear path to a high-end starting pitcher like Gore or Ryan, then that could change the conversation. For now, though, it doesn't look like Keller is their first choice.

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